Volunteer Lock-Keeper (Freight passage, Wakefield, West Yorkshire)

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

Job summary

A community-focused charitable organization is seeking volunteer lock keepers to assist with boat passage through locks on Britain's canals. Ideal for those who enjoy the outdoors and want to contribute to the visitor experience. Key attributes include strong communication and teamwork skills. The role involves assisting boaters, maintaining the area, and requires at least one day a week commitment from volunteers.

Benefits

Meeting local volunteers

Learning new skills

Opportunities for further involvement

Qualifications

• Over 18 years old and able to commit at least one day a week.
• Enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Helping boats through the locks.
• Talking to customers.
• Litter picking and/or minor vegetation works.

Skills

Great communication skills

Practical skills

Teamworking skills

Job description

Overview

Lock keepers have been a fixture on Britain’s canals for hundreds of years and are one of the oldest traditions of the waterways. As ‘the face of the waterway’, modern-day volunteer lock keepers play an integral part in the visitor experience.

This role is to provide assisted passage for regular freight movement from Lemonroyd lock at Woodlesford (LEEDS) to Birkwood lock in Altoffs (WAKEFIELD).

What we are looking for

It’s a perfect opportunity for those who enjoy working in the outdoors and are perhaps looking for something different to do and want to help support the Canal & River Trust. The key qualities we’re looking for are enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Anyone can join as long as you are over the age of 18 and have at least one day a week available and have access to a vehicle. Following appropriate selection, training and induction sessions will be held prior to taking on this role. This opportunity will initially be Monday to Friday with AM (09:00) or PM (14:00) shifts available.

Why we want you

Lock keepers have been a fixture on Britain’s canals for hundreds of years and are one of the oldest traditions of the waterways. As ‘the face of the waterway’, modern-day volunteer lock keepers play an integral part in the visitor experience. Their role is to provide a polite and friendly welcome to waterway visitors, assisting boaters through the locks and helping to maintain the area. It’s a perfect opportunity for those who enjoy working in the outdoors and are perhaps looking for something different to do and want to help support the Canal & River Trust. The key qualities we’re looking for are enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Anyone can join as long as you are over the age of 18 and have at least a day a week available. Following appropriate selection, training and induction sessions we expect the role to commence fully around April and run through to October (local variations may apply).

What you will be doing

• Helping boats through the locks
• Talking to customers
• Litter picking and/or minor vegetation works
• When you register as a volunteer, we will ask you about any unspent convictions which you need to declare and risk assess these as needs be.

The skills you need

• Great communication skills. This is all about talking to people.
• Practical skills – it’s also about minor maintenance to ensure that your locks are functional.
• Teamworking skills – whilst you may spend some of your time alone, fundamentally you’re part of a team.

What’s in it for you

• It\'s a great way to meet other local volunteers, learn new skills, and hear about other volunteering opportunities if you fancy getting more involved.