Waterway Operative

Canal & River Trust; Ellesmere; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pension

Increased holiday entitlement

Employee benefits

Job summary

The Canal & River Trust is seeking a Waterway Operative to maintain and improve our West Midlands canal network, focusing on the Llangollen, Montgomery and Shropshire Union lines. This hands-on, outdoor role involves maintenance, lock operation, working with volunteers and delivering friendly customer service.

The post follows an annualised hours system with 5 days out of 7 and 24-hour standby. Based at Ellesmere Yard in Shropshire, the role offers a starting salary of £26,315 plus pension,

Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and pride in delivering high-quality work.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills – you’ll be the face of the Trust on our waterways.
• Basic literacy and numeracy.
• Experience in manual, construction, or outdoor environments is advantageous.
• Ability to work to schedules and plans effectively.
• Basic IT skills – comfortable using mobile devices and apps.
• Full and current UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Carry out outdoor maintenance and repair of canal infrastructure.
• Monitor and maintain water levels.
• Improve towpaths and waterside areas, including repairs and litter removal.
• Deliver excellent customer service to visitors and boaters.
• Work collaboratively with volunteers to achieve high-quality results.
• Plan and prepare for tasks, ensuring correct tools and materials are available.
• Operate locks safely and efficiently.
• Uphold Canal & River Trust values and behaviours in all activities.

Skills

Attention to detail

Customer service

Communication

Driving licence (UK)

Physical/manual work

IT skills

Teamwork

Schedules adherence

Education

Basic literacy and numeracy

Job description

Join Our Team: Waterway Operative – West Midlands - Fixed term contract until September 2028

Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.

Join the Canal & River Trust as a Waterway Operative and play a vital role in maintaining and improving our beautiful waterways across the West Midlands regions waterway network primarily focused on the Llangollen, Montgomery and Shropshire Union canals. This is a hands-on, outdoor role where you’ll carry out maintenance and repair works, operate locks, work with volunteers and provide excellent customer service to visitors. This role follows an annualised hours system, including 5 days out of 7 (which could be weekends and statutory holidays). You will also be part of a 24-hour operational standby team providing emergency cover. You’ll be based at our Ellesmere Yard depot in Shropshire.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out outdoor maintenance and repair of canal infrastructure.
• Monitor and maintain water levels.
• Improve towpaths and waterside areas, including repairs and litter removal.
• Deliver excellent customer service to visitors and boaters.
• Work collaboratively with volunteers to achieve high-quality results.
• Plan and prepare for tasks, ensuring correct tools and materials are available.
• Operate locks safely and efficiently.
• Uphold Canal & River Trust values and behaviours in all activities.

About you

If you enjoy practical, physical work in all weathers, value nature and the environment, and want to make a real difference to local communities, this could be the perfect role for you. Full training provided, including boat handling and asset operation.

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and pride in delivering high-quality work.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills – you’ll be the face of the Trust on our waterways.
• Basic literacy and numeracy.
• Experience in manual, construction, or outdoor environments is advantageous.
• Ability to work to schedules and plans effectively.
• Basic IT skills – comfortable using mobile devices and apps.
• Full and current UK driving licence.

What We Offer

We offer a starting salary of £26,315 with opportunities for progression. Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: EVP - 1.

Learn more: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits