Waterway Operative

Join Our Team: Waterway Operative – London & South East

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 central London canals. 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. 

Working Hours & Location  

Our teams work an annualised hours pattern, averaging 37 hours per week across a seven-day rota, including weekends and public holidays.
You'll also take part in our essential 24-hour operational standby rota, helping provide emergency response cover across our network.

Your base location will be Docklands, London E14 9ST, although the role involves regular travel between sites using a range of transport, including public transport where required.

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 CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk.  We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.  

What We Offer

We offer a starting salary of £26,315 + £4,000 Inner London Allowance, 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

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