Multi-Skilled Generalist Craft Operative; Carpentry & Construction

Multi-Skilled Generalist Craft Operative (Carpentry & Construction)

Endsleigh Industrial Estate, Endsleigh Rd, North Hyde, Southall UB2 5QR
, UK

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.

Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.

As a Craft Operative in our Operations team , you will play a vital role in caring for our network, responding to incidents as they happen and ensuring our waterways remain safe and accessible for everyone. They act fast, think on their feet and take real pride in protecting the places people love.

This is a mixed‑skills role suited to someone with experience in one or more trades (e.g carpentry). You’ll work flexibly, responding to emergencies as they occur across our network covering South Oxford Canal, Grand Union Canal, London East, London West and central/ Docklands waterways.

This role follows an annualized hours system, including weekends and bank holidays. You’ll be based at our Adelaide Dock, Southall depot and travel across the London and South East region, with occasional support in other areas.

Flexibility is essential , as emergency call‑outs and rapidly changing priorities are a core part of the team’s work.

As a Craft Operative, you will help improve, maintain and preserve our historic network. This includes refurbishing and repairing canal infrastructure such as locks, bridges, aqueducts, towpaths and associated equipment, always working to high safety, environmental and heritage standards.

• Carry out outdoor maintenance and repair works to maximize network availability, often involving heritage ‑ sensitive solutions.
• Use bricklaying or other trade skills to support manufacture and refurbishment work to agreed standards and timescales.
• Safely operate machinery, plant, tools and equipment, and support in house maintenance where required.
• Maintain personal equipment, workshop tools and workspace to required standards.
• Respond promptly to customer queries and urgent situations.
• Ensure equipment, materials and PPE are appropriate for each task.
• Assist with measuring locks and lock gates, learning heritage craft skills alongside specialist teams.
• Read and interpret technical drawings to inform work.
• Work with and supervise volunteers to support sustainable maintenance delivery.
• Travel regionally and flexibly to meet nationally prioritized work demands.

You must bring strong operative skills and be confident applying your trade knowledge in unique environments. While additional skills can be learned on the job, competence in at least one relevant discipline is essential to aid your colleagues.

Whether you come from a building or bricklaying background, your experience and enthusiasm will help you thrive in this role.

• Trade relevant apprenticeship or equivalent qualification (e.g. City & Guilds or NVQ Level
  2).
• Experience operating plant/equipment (e.g, chainsaws, power tools).
• Experience in lifting operations
  - Crane/Hiab or Plant operator (slinger signaller, Lift Supervisor qualifications) - Desirable
• Experience in a relevant discipline in bricklaying or stone masonry.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings.
• Full UK driving…