Waterway Operative

CANAL & RIVER TRUST; Newark on Trent; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pension

Holiday entitlement

Employee benefits

Job summary

Canal & River Trust in the United Kingdom is seeking a Waterway Operative to maintain and improve our East Midlands waterways, including River Trent sections. You will perform outdoor maintenance, operate locks and bridges, interact with visitors, and support volunteers.

This hands‑on role includes a 24‑hour standby during winter and a flexible, annualised hours pattern. Based at the Newark hub, you will travel across the East Midlands and sometimes assist in other areas.

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.
• Operate locks, bridges, and other waterway assets safely and efficiently.
• 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.
• Uphold Canal & River Trust values and behaviours in all activities.

Skills

Attention to detail

Customer service

Manual labor

Communication

DIY/maintenance

Driving licence

Job description

Waterway Operative

Job Description

About the Trust

We're one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water.We're looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?

Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country's third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.

Join Our Team: Waterway Operative – East Midlands

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 East Midlands regions waterway network primarily focused on the River Trent including the Notts/Beeston navigation, Grantham canal and the River Witham. This is a hands‑on, outdoor role where you’ll carry out maintenance and repair works, operate locks and bridges, work with Volunteers and provide excellent customer service to visitors. This role follows an annualised hours system, including 5 days out of 7 (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 the Newark hub, travelling across the East Midlands, with occasional support in other areas.

Working Hours & Location

This role follows an annualised hours system, including 5 days out of 7 (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 the Newark hub travelling across the East Midlands, with occasional support in other areas.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out outdoor maintenance and repair of canal infrastructure.
• Operate locks, bridges, and other waterway assets safely and efficiently.
• 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.
• 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.

Contact & Application

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at [e-mail].

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

INDMP

Our values

We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone can thrive. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.

We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments - whether for a disability, neurodiversity, or health condition - please let us know what you need and how we can support you. We’ll work with you to make any necessary changes.

All of our jobs can be considered on a part time, flexible or job share basis.

We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. You are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long‑term negative effect on your ability to carry out normal day‑to‑day activities. We recognise not everyone who is classified as disabled under the Equality Act personally identifies this way, or with this definition of disability. Please do not let this discour

At Canal & River Trust, we are committed to fair, transparent, and ethical recruitment practices. As part of our hiring process, we may use AI to analyse applications and support us work more efficiently. However, all hiring decisions – without exception – are made by our hiring managers.

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

Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us

Job Details

• Pay Type: Salary
• Travel Required: Yes
• Hiring Min Rate: 26,315 GBP
• Hiring Max Rate: 26,315 GBP