Ranger (Volunteer Bridge Keeper)

Canal & River Trust; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a community of volunteers as a Waterway Ranger, helping operate historical swing bridges along the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. This role enables a hands-on experience with canals, offering training for bridge operation and various supportive responsibilities, engaging visitors and maintaining these significant heritage structures.

Benefits

Opportunity to learn new skills

Meet other local volunteers

Explore more volunteering opportunities

Qualifications

• Must possess great communication skills and be able to talk to the public effectively.
• Basic practical skills are needed for maintenance tasks.
• Teamwork is encouraged; ability to work independently is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Engage with visitors and respond to their inquiries.
• Conduct minor maintenance tasks to keep locks operational.
• Report issues observed from the towpath.

Skills

Communication skills

Practical skills

Teamworking skills

Job description

Join our community of volunteers to help operate our historical swing bridges along the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. As the friendly face of the waterways, you will interact with the public on the towpath, maintain safety, and operate the bridges for boats! Visit some of the most beautiful spots in the area and enjoy the bustle of activity on a busy summer’s afternoon or the tranquility of a spring morning surrounded by wildlife. Volunteers can work alone or as a pair, keeping things running smoothly while maintaining the heritage of the canal.

All you need to bring is an ability to learn, communicate, and enthusiasm for the waterways. We will provide full training in bridge operation and health and safety. You’ll be responsible for significant heritage structures, sometimes stopping traffic and responding to incidents, but you will be supported by colleagues and work within a team. If you require specific support, please let us know so we can facilitate this.

This is a fantastic way to learn more about canals and what’s involved in keeping them alive.

Why we want you

As a Waterway Ranger, you'll be the face, eyes, and ears of the Trust. Having a regular friendly presence on the towpath benefits visitors and supporters and helps us care for and sustain our canal network for future generations. We need your support to be there for our customers. You will assist visitor experience at beautiful sites and possibly work in remote areas, learning more about our waterways. Your support will help us achieve our goal to keep canals alive.

What you will be doing

1. Talking to customers
2. Reporting issues from the towpath
3. Helping customers
4. When you register as a volunteer, we will ask about any unspent convictions for risk assessment purposes

The skills you need

1. Great communication skills—talking to people
2. Practical skills—minor maintenance to ensure locks are functional
3. Teamworking skills—working alone at times but primarily as part of a team

What's in it for you

1. Meet other local volunteers, learn new skills, and explore more volunteering opportunities