Volunteer Lock-Keeper (Whitley VLKs)

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

Job summary

A charitable waterway organization in Goole seeks volunteer lock keepers to assist boaters and maintain the scenic canal areas. Enjoy working outdoors and engaging with visitors while learning new skills. Role allows flexibility and is expected to start around April and run through October.

Benefits

Chance to meet local volunteers

Learn new skills

Explore other volunteering opportunities

Qualifications

• Over 18 years old and committed to volunteering at least one day a week.
• Willingness to learn and work outdoors.

Responsibilities

• Help boats through the locks.
• Engage with visitors and assist them.
• Perform minor maintenance tasks.

Skills

Great communication skills

Practical skills

Teamworking skills

Job description

Overview

Join us at Whitley lock on the Aire-Calder 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 is about assisting boaters if required, general light maintenance of the lock and surrounding area, painting of lock hardware and fencing, grass cutting, weeding and keeping the area free from litter. This will be a self-supervised opportunity once volunteers are confident in the role and will self-manage themselves, fully supported by a Canal & River Trust team leader. The opportunity can be attended at own 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, 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.