Waterside Specialist (Asset Inspection Support Volunteer)

Canal & River Trust; Wales; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental charity based in the United Kingdom is seeking Asset Inspection Support Volunteers to assist in maintaining waterways. Volunteers will conduct safety and service inspections, support reservoir and towpath surveys, and enjoy full training. The role is flexible to fit your availability and includes outdoor activities, making it a unique opportunity to engage with nature while gaining practical experience in engineering.

Benefits

Time outdoors

Maintaining fitness

Full training

Opportunities to meet new people

Qualifications

• Interest or background in engineering.
• Comfort with walking several kilometers.
• Access to a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Support reservoir inspections.
• Conduct towpath surveys.
• Perform safety and service inspections.

Job description

Do you want to spend more time along our waterways whilst helping us maintain their great condition?

We are looking for people to join the Asset Management team as Asset Inspection Support Volunteers. The Asset Inspectors have a crucial role in the Trust, monitoring all 2000+ miles of waterways every two months through Safety and Service Inspections (SSIs). During SSIs, inspectors identify changes in structures and report new concerns, ensuring safety and standards are met. The data collected informs maintenance works across the Trust.

Asset Inspection Support Volunteers will be trained to conduct SSIs independently, providing the team with greater flexibility.

Performing SSIs offers a fantastic opportunity to explore our canals, rivers, and reservoirs and appreciate the engineering marvels behind structures still in use centuries later.

If you have an interest or background in engineering and care about our waterways, consider joining us. Training on inspection procedures and software will be provided, including shadowing with experienced inspectors.

The schedule is fully flexible and can be tailored to your availability, location, and physical activity level. This role involves travel and working in remote locations; access to a vehicle and comfort with walking several kilometers are required.

Please contact us if you have questions about the role.

Why we want you

Our Waterside Specialists help sustain waterways by developing higher skill levels through volunteering.

Volunteering with the Trust is diverse, welcoming individuals with a wide range of skills, from practical to surveying, indoors and outdoors. Skills may include working alongside existing specialists or bringing new expertise to our team. We offer a variety of skilled activities.

What you will be doing

• Supporting reservoir inspections
• Towpath surveys
• Heritage or environmental surveys and assessments
• Supporting major construction works or stoppages
• Carrying out CAATS assessments (internal qualifications)
• Conducting Visitor Risk Assessments
• Maintaining equipment at museums and attractions
• Performing safety and service inspections

The skills you need

This role is suitable for individuals with specialist skills in various professional disciplines. While training is provided, we value applicants with existing experience and skills they are willing to share.

What's in it for you

• Time outdoors
• Maintaining fitness
• Full training
• Opportunities to meet new people