Waterway Operative
- Location: Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England
- Salary: Market related
- Category
- Sector: Building, Construction and Infrastructure
- Contract type Contract
- Consultant: Christopher Ward
Waterway Operative
Wales & South West
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 Wales & South West region. This is a hands-on, outdoor role where you’ll carry out maintenance and repair works, operate locks and bridges, and provide excellent customer service to visitors.
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 our Gloucester office covering Wales and South Wales waterways.
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
Waterway Operative
