Volunteer Waterways Restoration Project Lead

Buckingham Canal Society

Hanslope

On-site

Part time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Opportunity to lead meaningful restoration projects

Develop project management skills

Insurance cover while volunteering

Job summary

Buckingham Canal Society is seeking a Volunteer Waterways Restoration Project Manager to lead restoration efforts for the Buckingham Canal. This hands-on role involves engaging with volunteers, planning projects, and working with stakeholders to ensure the canal's ecological restoration and enhancement.

Your commitment will help transform the canal into a valued community asset while enhancing biodiversity and preserving heritage waterways.

Qualifications

Ability to inspire, organise, and lead volunteers of varied ages and skills.
Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions.
Experience managing projects and volunteer groups.
Background in coordinating teams, logistics, or community initiatives.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage restoration project plans.
Coordinate designated work programmes and volunteer teams.
Ensure all activities comply with health and safety regulations.
Liaise with stakeholders including landowners and local councils.

Skills

Leadership & Team Motivation

Practical problem-solving

Strong Organisational Skills

Communication Skills

Safety-Conscious Attitude

Collaborative & Community-Focused

Job description

The voluntary Waterways Delivery Project Managers are responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering all aspects of our projects.

This is a hands-on leadership role ideal for someone passionate about heritage waterways, environmental conservation, and community engagement.

What difference will you make?

The Volunteer Waterways Restoration Project Manager plays a critical role in advancing the Buckingham Canal Society’s mission to restore, protect, and promote the Buckingham Canal as a valued historic, environmental, and community asset.

Through effective planning and leadership of restoration projects, this role directly enables the physical reinstatement of the canal corridor, including locks, bridges, towpaths, and associated infrastructure. By coordinating volunteer effort and resources, the Project Manager transforms strategic ambitions into tangible progress on the ground, accelerating the canal’s phased restoration.

The role significantly strengthens community engagement by providing structured, rewarding opportunities for volunteers to contribute to a high-impact heritage project. By leading and supporting diverse volunteer teams, the Project Manager helps build skills, confidence, and a sense of shared ownership in the canal’s future, growing the Society’s capacity and long-term sustainability.

Environmental impact is a core outcome of this role. Restoration activities enhance biodiversity, improve waterway ecology, and contribute to landscape resilience. Sensitive management ensures that works protect existing habitats while creating new opportunities for wildlife, aligning with local and national environmental priorities.

The Project Manager also serves as a key link between the Society and its stakeholders, including local authorities, landowners, funders, and partner organisations. This strengthens credibility, fosters collaboration, and supports successful funding bids—ensuring that restoration progress is supported by robust governance and external confidence.

Ultimately, the role delivers measurable impact across four key areas

Heritage preservation – safeguarding and reinstating historic canal infrastructure
Environmental enhancement – improving habitats, biodiversity, and landscape quality
Community benefit – increasing participation, wellbeing, and local pride
Organisational growth – building capacity, capability, and funding success

By enabling safe, well-managed, and visible restoration work, the Volunteer Project Manager is central to moving the Buckingham Canal from aspiration to reality—ensuring it becomes a restored, navigable, and thriving asset for future generations.

What are we looking for?

Qualities

Leadership & Team Motivation
Ability to inspire, organise, and lead volunteers of varied ages and skills
Confident in giving direction while remaining approachable and supportive
Builds a positive, inclusive, and respectful team environment
Commitment & Reliability
Passion for waterways, heritage, and environmental restoration
Dependable, with the ability to see projects through from planning to completion
Willing to give time consistently, especially around work parties and key milestones
Practical & Hands-On Mindset
Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions
Practical problem‑solver who can adapt plans when needed
Willing to get involved in physical restoration work alongside volunteers
Strong Organisational Skills
Able to plan tasks, prioritise workloads, and manage time effectively
Keeps track of multiple moving parts (people, materials, permissions, timelines)
Attention to detail, especially regarding safety and logistics
Communication Skills
Clear and confident communicator with volunteers and stakeholders
Able to explain tasks, expectations, and safety procedures effectively
Comfortable liaising with partners such as local authorities and landowners
Safety-Conscious Attitude
Strong awareness of health and safety responsibilities
Promotes safe working practices and leads by example
Calm and decisive in managing risk or unexpected situations
Collaborative & Community-Focused
Works well with others and values volunteer contributions
Builds relationships that strengthen the Society’s work and reputation
Supports community engagement and public-facing activities

Experience

Project & People Management

Experience managing projects, work programmes, and volunteer groups
Background in coordinating teams, logistics, or community initiatives

Practical or Technical Skills

Experience in construction, civil engineering, landscaping, or similar practical work
Knowledge of heritage structures (e.g., locks, bridges, canals) is advantageous

Environmental or Conservation Work

Understanding of ecology, biodiversity, or land/water management
Experience working on conservation or restoration projects

Health & Safety

Experience preparing risk assessments or supervising safe working environments
Familiarity with safe use of tools, plant machinery, or site procedures

Stakeholder Engagement

Experience working with external partners (councils, landowners, funders)
Involvement in community groups, charities, or heritage organisations

Helpful Additional Attributes

Basic budgeting or resource management awareness
Experience supporting funding bids or reporting outcomes
Interest in promoting the project (social media, events, outreach)

Overall Profile

The ideal volunteer is a practical, organised leader with enthusiasm for restoration, who enjoys working with people and making visible progress on meaningful projects. While technical expertise is valuable, attitude, commitment, and the ability to bring others along are just as important.

Hybrid

What will you be doing?

Role Summary

The Volunteer Waterways Restoration Project Manager is responsible across all aspects of planning, coordinating, and delivering practical canal restoration projects. The role involves leading volunteer teams, working with stakeholders, and ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with relevant environmental and heritage standards.

This is a hands-on leadership role ideal for someone passionate about heritage waterways, environmental conservation, and community engagement.

Project Planning & Delivery

Develop and manage restoration project plans, including scope, timelines, and resource requirements
Coordinate designated work programmes ranging from construction, maintenance, repairs, vegetation clearance, dredging, and towpath improvements
Monitor project progress and ensure delivery against agreed objectives
Identify risks and implement suitable mitigation measures

Volunteer Leadership

Recruit, motivate, and support volunteer teams
Allocate roles and responsibilities on-site
Provide clear briefings and supervision during work parties
Ensure an inclusive, safe, and positive volunteer experience

Health & Safety

Ensure all activities comply with health and safety legislation and best practice
Carry out risk assessments and method statements
Promote a strong safety culture on-site
Ensure appropriate use of tools, plant, and personal protective equipment (PPE)

Stakeholder Engagement

Liaise with landowners, navigation authorities, local councils, and partner organisations
Represent the organisation at meetings and community events
Support fundraising and grant applications where required

Environmental & Heritage Stewardship

Ensure restoration work respects local ecology and wildlife
Promote sustainable practices and biodiversity enhancement
Protect and preserve historic waterway structures

Administration & Reporting

This role reports to the Executive Officer Maintain project records, including volunteer hours, progress reports, and budgets
Present regular reports to trustees and/or other groups as required
Support communications, including newsletters and social media updates

Skills & Experience