M&E Technician - HGV/Mechanic

Canal & River Trust; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading waterways organization is seeking a Mechanical & Electrical Technician to support the implementation of improvements for plant and equipment assets. The role requires experience in mechanics or HGV, with opportunities for skill development in electrics. The position involves travel across networks and managing repair works for workboats and equipment while ensuring compliance with Health & Safety standards. Benefits include a competitive salary, pension scheme, and paid volunteering leave.

Benefits

Competitive contributory pension scheme

25 days paid holiday, increasing with service

Free fishing facilities

Access to employee discounts

Qualifications

• Minimum City and Guilds level 3 Mechanical or Electrical Engineering certification required.
• Experience with large diesel engines and hydraulic systems is crucial.
• Understanding of Health & Safety regulations within site work.

Responsibilities

• Provide mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and marine support.
• Manage work programmes and servicing for workboats and land-based plant.
• Supervise third-party works as required.

Skills

Mechanical support

Electrical support

Hydraulic systems

Communication skills

Time management

Education

City and Guilds level 3 Mechanical / NVQ level 3

Tools

Diesel engines

Hydraulic installation tools

Job description

Location & Coverage

Location: Milton Keynes Hub. Daily work requires travel across the London and South East Network. Hours: The post holder will work an annualised hours system, Monday to Friday, including a rota‑driven system covering statutory holidays and weekends, to keep our waterways open to customers.

About the Role

We are currently looking for a Mechanical & Electrical Technician to join our growing and diverse teams across the UK. As a Mechanical & Electrical Technician on our waterway you will play an important role using your technical expertise to assist with the implementation of improving plant and equipment assets within a defined area and will safely and efficiently support the delivery of improvements to equipment used in the maintenance and repair of the inland waterways network. A technical foundation in mechanics / HGV is desired; with the potential to develop your skills in broader electrics via team training. This role will be based from our Operative hub in Nell Bridge but will travel throughout the regional waterway network to enable site visits and to conduct improvements. See our canal network here.

Responsibilities and Qualifications

• Working outside provide mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and marine support to assigned areas, assisting in the resolution of mechanical, hydraulic and electrical engineering‑related situations as they arise.
• Manage defined work programmes, servicing and repair works to meet set objectives for a defined fleet of workboats and land‑based plant.
• Under supervision, produce recommendations to minor problems and undertake design where appropriate. Apply a working knowledge of statutory obligations, heritage and environmental requirements plus Canal & River Trust policies, principles and standards to the delivery of work.
• Supervise third‑party works when required to delegated levels. With guidance, manage accounts for costs.
• Where a vacancy arises, participate in the standby rota to support delivery of customer‑service defined standards and reaction to emergency situations, faults and breakdowns.
• Comply with Canal & River Trust Health & Safety policy and defined standards, report incidents, accidents and near misses. Complete point‑of‑work risk assessments and adjust work methods where appropriate.
• Experience with large diesel engines including gearbox and clutch assemblies.
• Experience with hydraulic systems.
• Experience with less than 48V DC systems.
• Experience with cranes, excavators, lorry loaders.
• Experience within the Heavy Goods Vehicle industry would be advantageous.
• Time‑served apprentice trained or City and Guilds level 3 Mechanical / NVQ level 3 minimum (or similar level) in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or related discipline; certification required.
• An understanding of Health & Safety within site work and a good knowledge of appropriate mechanical and/or electrical regulations.
• Hydraulic installation/maintenance experience desirable.
• Authorised Person in one of the following areas (preferably both): Mechanical or Electrical – Learning Event VEEN024.
• Relevant valid competency for use of plant/tools and equipment to maintain the canal/river environment.
• IPAF and confined space training desirable but not essential.
• General: Willing to actively participate in meetings, training, planning, initiatives etc.
• Must be able to clearly and concisely communicate in verbal and written form.
• Excellent time‑keeping essential and working effectively as part of a team or alone.
• Valid driving licence appropriate for vehicle to be driven.

Benefits

In addition to your annual salary £30,000 – £34,500, we can offer a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, and numerous other employee benefits.

• Competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, where we will double your contribution to a maximum of 10%.
• 25 days paid holiday (plus paid Bank Holidays), increasing with years of service to up to 30 days after 5 years, plus holiday purchase scheme.
• Home‑working status with 'hub' facilities available should you need the flexibility to work outside of home.
• Free access to specialist counselling on a range of issues, e.g. health, financial, well‑being and domestic matters.
• Access to a range of employee benefits including store discounts, boating holiday discounts and holiday purchase scheme.
• 2 days paid volunteering leave per annum, allowing you to volunteer for a local community project etc.
• Free fishing facilities across our canal network.