Lock Keeper - 36267

UK Ministry of Defence; Brampton; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

The Environment Agency is advertising two permanent Lock Keeper roles at Hermitage Lock, Earith Bridge, within the Anglian Waterways region. After training you will assist passage, record activity and support safety and community engagement.

You will join the Waterways Operation Service Team, work with river inspectors and specialists, and be public-facing, professional and courteous. A full UK driving licence is required; the role is based at Hermitage Lock Office with no hybrid/home working.

Qualifications

• Inclusive and diverse work environment experience.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Physically able to operate locks and maintain grounds.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel.
• Computer literate with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Reliable attendance at Hermitage Lock Office in all weathers.
• Ability to work independently after training.

Responsibilities

• Working with customers to provide assisted passage through the lock(s).
• Recording passage and compliance for analysis by others.
• Assisting with Health Safety and Wellbeing at sites including grounds.
• Maintaining an incident role and responding out of hours.
• Providing support and information to the boating community via phone, email.
• Providing support for other tidal locks as necessary.

Skills

Diversity awareness

Customer service

Lock operation

Driving licence

MS Office

Travel readiness

Self-management

River environment interest

Boating/navigation experience

Previous customer service experience

Job description

Lock Keeper - 36267

Lock Keeper - 36267

Number of jobs available: 1

Region: East Midlands, East of England

City/Town: Brampton , Ely

Building/Site: DEFRA GRP EA BRAMPTON OFFICE, PE28 4NE, DEFRA GRP EA ELY DEPOT, CB7 4TX

Grade: Staff Grade 2

Post Type: Permanent

Role Type: Operational Delivery

Working Pattern: Full Time

Salary Minimum: £25,301

Closing Date: 18/09/2026, 23:55 hours

Job description attachment 1

Candidate pack

Security checks level: Basic Check

Job description

The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don't just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it, and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities, and our environment.

We are advertising two positions for the key role of lock keeper based at Hermitage Lock, Earith Bridge. After training you will have the key responsibilities of

• Working with customers to provide assisted passage through the lock(s)
• Recording passage and compliance for analysis by others.
• Assisting with the management of Health Safety and Wellbeing at our sites including the building and local environment.
• Maintaining an incident role and being able to respond out of hours
• Provide support and information to the wider boating community via phone, email and other appropriate communication tools
• Provide support for other tidal locks as necessary

The team

You’ll join our Waterways Operation Service Team. We aim to provide a first‑class service to our customers. We operate within the Anglian Waterways region (River Ancholme to Cattawade (River Stour) combined river length of 568km). Our lock keepers are public facing, professional and courteous.

You’ll work alongside river inspectors, technical specialists and others in your daily operations, reporting to the team leader.

We are part of the Operations Directive within the Environment Agency.

Experience/skills required

In your capability‑based answers please demonstrate your:

Essentials

• Ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and actively encourage others to consider diversity issues in their work.
• Customer Service skills - Good Face to Face communication skills
• Physically able to operate our locks and maintain the grounds around the site
• Full clean driving licence and confident to drive distances if required.
• Be computer literate and confident to utilise the Microsoft Office suite including word, excel and outlook
• Must be able to always get to Hermitage Lock Office (PE28 3PS) in all weathers
• Ability to work alone and self-manage after training

Nice to have

• An interest in the river environment
• Personal boating or navigation experience
• Previous customer service experience

You’ll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.

Contact and additional information

You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll help you find a role to suit your needs. Appropriate training will be given.

You’ll have an EA Office base location, Hermitage Lock Office. Hybrid / home working is not available for this role.

We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel; some travel may be required.

Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, contact [e-mail]

Applications are "blind" assessed using your answers to the competency questions.

Interviews will be held face to face within two weeks of the closing date.

If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.

Competence 1

Manages Self

Description

Has full awareness of own strengths, weaknesses, impact and approach. Effectively organises self and takes personal responsibility for own role

More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.

If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview.

Feedback is generally not available at sift stage

QUESTION: Please give an example of when you have had to manage your own time and objectives. Consider both the circumstances and outcomes in your answer

Competence 2

Focuses on Customers and Partners

Description

Addresses the needs of internal and external customers, provides rapid and effective responses.

QUESTION: Give an example of when you used your knowledge and understanding of a particular customer to improve the service you provided to them

Competence 3

Communicates Effectively

Description

Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately, and persuasively through speech and writing.

QUESTION: Work has been delayed on a key river structure which impacts the ability to navigate fully. Consider how you would tackle this if complaints were made. Indicate the steps you might take to communicate effectively

Role specific license requirements

Full UK Driving Licence

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit for more information.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the . Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.