Job Description
Join Our Team: Seasonal Waterway Operative – Wales & South West (April - October 2026)
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 primarily around Gloucester & Diglis. 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, 50 hours per week (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 either our Diglis/Gloucester depot and travel across the South West region, with occasional support in other areas.
Key Responsibilities
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* Carry out outdoor maintenance and repair of canal infrastructure
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* Operate locks, bridges, and other waterway assets safely and efficiently
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* Improve towpaths and waterside areas, including repairs and litter removal
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* Deliver excellent customer service to visitors and boaters
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* Work collaboratively with volunteers to achieve high-quality results
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* Plan and prepare for tasks, ensuring correct tools and materials are available
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* 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
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* Strong attention to detail and pride in delivering high-quality work
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* Excellent communication and customer service skills – you’ll be the face of the Trust on our waterways
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* Basic literacy and numeracy
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* Experience in manual, construction, or outdoor environments is advantageous
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* Ability to work to schedules and plans effectively
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* Basic IT skills – comfortable using mobile devices and apps
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* 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 £25,115 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
IND LP