Volunteer Lock-Keeper (Knostrop VLKs)

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

Job summary

Join the Canal & River Trust as a Volunteer Lock Keeper to assist boaters and maintain the scenic waterways. This role offers the opportunity to work outdoors, meet new people, and develop valuable skills in a supportive environment, running from April to October.

Benefits

Opportunities to learn new skills

Meet other volunteers

Qualifications

• Great communication skills – talking to people.
• Practical skills – minor maintenance.
• Teamworking skills – working independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Communication

Practical skills

Teamwork

Job description

Join us at Knostrop Fall lock area to be part of a growing number of like-minded people who enjoy being outdoors and help us maintain this historic waterway as a Volunteer Lock Keeper.

The role involves assisting boaters through the lock if required, general light maintenance of the lock area, painting lock hardware and fencing, grass cutting, weeding, and keeping the area free from litter for all to enjoy. Volunteers will work on the island and surrounding area.

This is a non-supervised opportunity once volunteers are confident in the role, and they will self-manage in the future, fully supported by a CRT team leader.

The opportunity can be attended at your convenience once confident, but initially on a weekday.

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, assist boaters through the locks, and help maintain the area.

This is a perfect opportunity for those who enjoy working outdoors, are looking for something different to do, and want to support the Canal & River Trust. The key qualities we’re looking for are enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

Anyone over 18 with at least one day available per week can join. Following appropriate selection, training, and induction sessions, the role is expected to commence around April and run through October (local variations may apply).

What you will be doing

• Helping boats through the locks
• Talking to customers
• Litter picking and minor vegetation works
• Declaring any unspent convictions during registration and risk assessing them as needed

The skills you need

• Great communication skills – talking to people
• Practical skills – minor maintenance to ensure locks are functional
• Teamworking skills – working independently at times but primarily as part of a team

What's in it for you

• A great way to meet other volunteers, learn new skills, and explore further volunteering opportunities if interested