Reactive Response - Craft Joiner/Carpentry generalist

Job Description Join Our Team: Craft Operative [Joiner/Carpentry generalist] opportunitynnNavigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive. nnAs a Craft Operative in our Reactive Response 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.nnThis is a mixedskills role suited to someone with experience in one or more trades (e.g., carpentry, metal fabrication, bricklaying, or stonemasonry). Youll work flexibly, responding to emergencies as they occur across our network.nnWorking Hours & TravelnnnThe post holders will work an annualized hours system (averaging 37 hours), primarily Monday to Friday, with overtime and occasional weekend work as needed to respond to emergencies and carry out repairs that help keep our waterways open for customers.nnAdministratively based at Hatton Locks, this role involves regular travel across the West Midlands. You will travel from home in a company van, report directly to site to complete the days tasks, and return home at the end of the working day.nnnnCoverage extends:nnNorth to Leek (Caldon Canal, Derbyshire)ntWest into Wales (Montgomery Canal)ntEast to Rugby (Oxford Canal)ntSouth to StratforduponAvon (Stratford Canal/River Avon)nnnnFlexibility is essential, as emergency callouts and rapidly changing priorities are a core part of the teams work.nnRole OverviewnnAs 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, while consistently working to high safety, environmental, and heritage standards.nnThis role sits within our reactive response team and involves planned work alongside emergency call-outs. As priorities can change at short notice, a flexible and adaptable approach is essential.nnKey ResponsibilitiesnnntCarry out outdoor maintenance and repair works to maximize network availability, often involving heritagesensitive solutions.ntUse bricklaying or other trade skills to support manufacture and refurbishment work to agreed standards and timescales.ntSafely operate machinery, plant, tools and equipment, and support inhouse maintenance where required.ntMaintain personal equipment, workshop tools and workspace to required standards.ntRespond promptly to customer queries and urgent situations.ntEnsure equipment, materials and PPE are appropriate for each task.ntAssist with measuring locks and lock gates, learning heritage craft skills alongside specialist teams.ntRead and interpret technical drawings to inform work.ntWork with and supervise volunteers to support sustainable maintenance delivery.ntTravel regionally and flexibly to meet nationally prioritized work demands.nnnAbout YounnYou 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. nnWhether you come from a building or [Joiner/Carpentry generalist] background, your experience and enthusiasm will help you thrive in this role.nnSkills & QualificationsnnntTrade relevant apprenticeship or equivalent qualification (e.g. City & Guilds or NVQ Level 2).ntExperience operating plant/equipment (e.g., chainsaws, power tools, forklift trucks).ntExperience in a relevant discipline such as carpentry, metal fabrication, bricklaying or stonemasonry.ntAbility to read and interpret technical drawings.ntFull UK driving license (essential for regional response travel).nnnContact & ApplicationnnIf you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.nnWhat We OffernnWe offer a starting salary of28,154, 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(https://canalrivertrust.pagetiger.com/cqhhihy/1).

Created: 2026-02-17