Waterside Specialist (Paddle sport assistant)

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

Job summary

Join Canal & River Trust as a volunteer paddle assistant and support community canoe and paddle board sessions. This role offers outdoor experiences while helping participants enjoy paddling activities, alongside training for Paddle Sport qualifications. Be part of a team dedicated to sustaining waterways and enhancing skills through volunteering.

Benefits

Full training provided

Time outdoors

Opportunity to meet new people

Qualifications

• Ability to assist in paddle sessions and manage safety.
• Willingness to commit to multiple sessions over a year.

Responsibilities

• Assist in canoe and paddle board community sessions.
• Ensure participant safety and guidance in activities.
• Help pack up equipment after sessions.

Skills

Passion for outdoors

Teamwork

Job description

Our Waterside Specialists help maintain the sustainability of the waterways by giving higher levels of skills through their volunteering.

As a volunteer paddle assistant, you will be responsible for assisting in the delivery of community-based canoe and paddle board sessions to members of the public.

These sessions will take place on a stretch of canal from Standedge Visitor Centre and tunnel to lock 42 near Marsden train station but may also be on other sites around the Huddersfield Narrow/ Broad canal and the Rochdale canal.

Each session will include setting up, safety briefing, kitting up a group, getting afloat, initial familiarisation activities, games, and activities to support learning and inspire adventure and exploration through mini journeys. After a session, you will help pack up and sort the paddle kit for the next session.

You will be required to help manage the safety of participants and provide guidance on controlling the canoe/paddle board.

The sessions aim to promote paddling activities and are designed as safe, fun introductory experiences for participants to enjoy the water.

Successful candidates will receive training from qualified instructors, helping them develop personal paddle skills in preparation for completing their Paddle Sport Instructor qualification with Paddle UK.

The Canal and Rivers Trust will cover training costs if candidates commit to delivering an agreed number of sessions over a specified period.

Due to training requirements, there are limited positions available. Candidates will undergo a selection process, including a basic competency assessment at Standedge.

Suitable candidates should have a passion for the outdoors and a willingness to commit to delivering several paddle sessions over a year.

Why we want you

Our Waterside Specialists help sustain waterways by enhancing skills through volunteering.

Volunteering with the Trust includes various roles, from practical tasks to surveying, indoors and outdoors. Skills may include working alongside existing specialists or bringing new skills to the team. We offer a wide range of activities you could participate in.

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)
• Performing Visitor Risk Assessments
• Maintaining equipment at museums and attractions
• Conducting safety and service inspections

The skills you need

This role is suited for individuals with specialist skills in various professional disciplines. While we support skill development within the Trust, we also welcome applicants with existing experience and skills they are willing to share.

What's in it for you

• Time outdoors
• Keeping fit
• Full training
• Meeting new people