Craft Operative
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.
We are looking for an experienced (Multi-skilled, Carpenter/Bricklayer) to join our London & South East team as Craft Operative. In this role you would help support our Direct Services team in London East & London West. See our canal network here: (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network).
Reporting to the base at Adelaide Dock, Southall or Enfield this role will involve regular travel along the regional canal network.
Occasionally you may also be required to work in other areas of London & South East region.
As Craft Operative for our waterway, you will play an important role applying to help us improve, maintain, and preserve our wonderful network for our customers to enjoy today and into the future. This will involve undertaking the refurbishment or repair of canal infrastructure including locks / bridges/ aqueducts / towpaths and associated equipment, working efficiently to defined safety /environmental and heritage standards at all times.
The post holders will be required to work an annualised hour’s system which includes working a rota'd system including statutory holidays and weekends. Our Craft Operatives look after specific stretches of our regional waterways, however the team are naturally called upon to support work in other areas as required, so you need to have your own transport and valid UK driving licence.
Responding to business needs, you will enhance the reputation of the network and support Canal & River Trust’s aims to improve safety; protecting the heritage and integrity of the inland waterway network.
Our Craft Operatives perform a unique role; fitting new lock gates as they are replaced, refurbishing or repairing existing lock gates and associated equipment, to ensure it is working efficiently & to defined standards. You will be working with specialist teams and experts in their field as our multi-disciplinary teams work together to improve our waterways and ensure our 200 year old assets can be enjoyed for years to come.
Key responsibilities:
- Working outside, carry out maintenance and repairs works to the waterway infrastructure to ensure network availability is maximised. Repairs will often involve sensitive heritage or environment solutions which the role will be expected to be familiar with. In some instances, the operative will be expected to complete repairs to the highest standard utilising relevant skills and experience.
- Use Joiner expertise to undertake the manufacture & refurbishment within a timely manner, in accordance with defined standards and agreed programmes.
- Operate a variety of machinery, plant, tools and other equipment in accordance with Canal & River Trust’s safety standards and where appropriate support in-house maintenance.
- Undertake general housekeeping of personal equipment, workshop equipment and workspace ensuring all are maintained to defined standards.
- Timely response to customers’ queries and requirements, including responding to emergencies.
- Ensure all equipment (PPE, plant, materials etc) is appropriate for the task.
- Assist with the measurement of locks and lock gates in order to identify correct lock gate measurements for manufacture - you will be working alongside an experienced team of specialists to learn this heritage skill.
- Understand and interpret technical drawings to translate into production.
- Work alongside and supervise volunteers to ensure the Trust has sufficient resources to be sustainable, whilst ensuring the satisfaction of the volunteers is high.
- Operate regionally displaying the appropriate flexibility needed to deliver the nationally prioritised works programme. This will occasionally involve travelling further distances to undertake repair work.
About you
Operative skills are a minimum requirement. Whilst it is also important that you can turn your hand to other skills which will be taught along the way, an understanding of, and high level of competence in certain disciplines are necessary. You may have a background in the building trade, or from a specialist joinery background, where measuring, cutting and joining is all second nature to you.
Skills/Qualifications/Experience:
- Apprenticeship or equivalent qualification (or experience) e.g City & Guilds Level II, NVQ Level II
- Experience handling plant/equipment in group A e.g chainsaw, hand power tools, fork lift truck.
- Experience of working within relevant discipline e.g Joiner, etc.
- Experience of reading technical drawings.
- Full Valid UK Driving Licence - you will need to be able to respond across the region and get to where the team need you.
If you have any questions about the role please contact [email protected]
What we offer
All our Craft Operatives step up their salary through a salary progression plan. Starting at £28,154 + Inner London Allowance (£4,000 per annum).
Further to salary offered, the Canal & River Trust offers a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, great holiday entitlement (increasing with years of service) and numerous other employee benefits, including several salary sacrifice benefits, all of which can be found here (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits). These include:
- Competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, where we will double your contribution to a maximum of 10%.
- 25 days paid holiday (plus paid Bank Holidays), increasing to 30 days after 5 years.
- Learning & growth opportunities through diverse internal and external courses available.
- Free access to specialist counselling on a range of issues, e.g. health, financial, well-being and domestic matters.
- Access to a range of employee benefits including store discounts, boating holiday discounts and holiday purchase scheme.
- 2 days paid volunteering leave per annum, allowing you to volunteer for a local community project etc.
- Free fishing facilities across our canal network.
Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us
At the Trust, we empower our people to flow and thrive both on and off the water. Our colleagues enjoy a variety of benefits that enhance their lives while working in a place that positively impacts others. We take pride in our people, protecting heritage and preserving wildlife, and we’re all about the future of our colleagues and the future generations who love and use our network. Inspired by people, we harness the different ways of working and thinking, ensuring our teams grow and reach their full potential.
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
Other details
- Pay Type Salary
- Hiring Rate £28,154.00
- Job Start Date 25 June 2025
- Job End Date 10 July 2025
- Enfield EN3 6JG, UK