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Scottish Canals are recruiting for a permanent Waterway Operative to join our team located in the Lowlands area along the Union Canal. If you enjoy working outdoors, keeping our canals and towpaths safe and clean and giving great customer service then this could be the role for you.
This role attracts a living wage salary + allowances of 10% variable roster, 5.75% summer/ winter. Scottish Canals also offers a generous annual leave entitlement of 34 days rising to 39 after 5 years (inc. public holidays), along with enhanced company sick pay, discounted shopping vouchers, and a contributory pension scheme with up to a 10% employer contribution.
Day to day tasks:
– Comply with SC’s Health & Safety policies and defined standards. Report incidents, accidents and near misses. Support and contribute to ‘Behavioural Safety’.
– Maintain accurate records as required such as timesheet, HAVs records etc.
Complete point of work risk assessments and make adjustments to work methods where appropriate. Ensure all equipment (PPE, plant, materials etc.) are appropriate for the task in hand.
– Ensure that the customer experience is maximised by providing outstanding levels of customer service, including anticipation of and response to customer-related issues
– In accordance with Scottish Canals standards promote the organisation by maintaining a professional approach at all times.
– Undertake the operation of structures e.g., locks, bridges and sluices in a safe and efficient manner.
– Undertake key duties associated with the daily operation and maintenance of the waterway and waterside e.g. towpath vegetation management, painting, litter collection, fencing repairs, pontoon redecking etc.
– Operate appropriate plant & tools commensurate with the task in hand (having – achieved the correct competencies / training).
– Provide a first response for any emergencies/incidents that may occur on the waterway.
– Support asset inspections. Identify and report any structure failures, breaches, and damage or pollution incidents to Supervisor or Engineers.
– Participate in the working and standby rota as directed, including out of hours water/ flood control duties
– Ensure that environmental and heritage issues are taken into consideration in all work that is undertaken
– Work outside in all weathers
– Occasional travel to other Scottish Canals locations
Skills and experience required:
– Experience of working within relevant environment e.g. a busy customer service environment, general vegetation management and general asset management.
– Experience of working as a key member of a small team
– Experience of computers and smart phones including email, online training, digital diaries and task-specific software
– Strong experience of maintenance skills, such as painting, fencing, concreting, welding/metal work, use of hand tools and small power tools, minor plumbing and preferred use of tractors or excavators
– Experience of administrative tracking eg: data recording using computerised or manual systems
– Able to communicate effectively with other team members and locations to allow for the efficient operation of the waterway.
– Must have a full UK driver’s licence.
– Preferred experience of working with boats or in a marine environment
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following qualities:
– A positive, ‘can do’ attitude
– Safety awareness
– Strong team-working ability
– Time management skills
– Problem solving capability
The post is 5 days over 7 working a variable roster over the calendar year. You will be required to participate in a standby roster to undertake out of hours water/flood control duties.