Operations Team Leader

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.

Join Our Team: Volunteering Leader (Enfield and surrounding waterways (Lee & Stort

We're excited to welcome a new Volunteering Leader at our London & South East location.

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

This role follows a 37 hours, over a 7 day working pattern. The post holder will also be required to work an annualised hours system which includes working any 5 days out of 7 including statutory holidays. They will also be part of a 24-hour operational standby team responsible for providing emergency cover for the waterway.

On-call responsibility

• Volunteer Leaders take part in an on call rota alongside other Canal & River Trust colleagues.
• Approximately 1 week in every 5.
• Availability from 4:00pm to 8:00am on weekdays, plus the full weekend.
• A Trust vehicle will be taken home during on call periods to respond to callouts.

The Volunteering Leader will be based at Enfield Lock, Ordnance Road, Enfield EN3 6JG. This role involves travel between sites and includes use of a Trust vehicle.

Role Overview

We're looking for practical, motivated Volunteer Leaders to support our Operations team in keeping the waterways around the upper Lee navigation and the River Lee open, safe and clean.

This is a hands on, operational role where you'll lead and support groups of volunteers to carry out essential maintenance and improvement tasks along the canal network. You'll work closely with our Operations staff, sometimes alongside them, to identify issues and organise volunteer activity to resolve them.

If you enjoy working outdoors, leading people, and making a visible difference to local waterways, this could be a very rewarding role.

Key Accountabilities

• Work closely with the Operations team to identify where support is needed.
• Recruit and organise volunteers to help resolve operational issues.
• Ensure volunteers are trained, supported and able to work safely.
• Plan and lead volunteer groups to carry out practical maintenance tasks.
• Deliver work that supports our purpose: Open, Safe & Clean waterways and towpaths.

Typical activities include

• Painting and site improvements.
• Fly tipping and litter removal.
• Vegetation clearance.
• Lock maintenance (planned preventative maintenance).
• Minor repairs and hole filling.
• Water control tasks.

Please note: This is a hands on operational maintenance role. While you'll be working in outdoor environments, the position does not involve gardening, planting projects, or creating habitats such as wildflower areas, planters, or tree planting.

About you

We're seeking an organised, proactive, and engaging Volunteering Lead to work closely with our Area Operations Manager. In this role, you'll support and guide a growing community of dedicated volunteers, as well as our internal team, all working together to protect, maintain, and enhance the environment and heritage of our local waterways for residents and visitors to enjoy.

You'll be confident handling day to day administration and comfortable leading, motivating, and supporting volunteer groups. A strong focus on safety and a responsible approach are essential.

It would be beneficial if you have experience in

• Health & Safety processes, including risk assessments and method statements.
• Safeguarding.
• Practical or maintenance work.
• Volunteer coordination or team leadership.

Skills & Qualifications

• Experience of working within relevant environment e.g. volunteering, environmental works, customer service operations or maintenance.
• Experience of leading a small team.
• Great organisation and prioritising skills.
• Effective and engaging communication skills.
• Computer literate - with good knowledge of Microsoft Office package.
• You will need to be self motivated, able to work flexible hours to meet volunteering and business needs and communicate well with customers, volunteers and staff at all levels.
• Full UK Manual Driving License - Essential.

What We Offer

We offer an annual salary of £28,470 + £4,000 per annum Inner London Allowance. 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 .

We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone can thrive. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.

We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments - whether for a disability, neurodiversity, or health condition - please let us know what you need and how we can support you. We'll work with you to make any necessary changes.

All of our jobs can be considered on a part time, flexible or job share basis.

We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. You are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long term negative effect on your ability to carry out normal day to day activities. We recognise not everyone who is classified as disabled under the Equality Act personally identifies this way, or with this definition of disability. Please do not let this discourage you from applying under the scheme.

At Canal & River Trust, we are committed to fair, transparent, and ethical recruitment practices. As part of our hiring process, we may use AI to analyse applications and support us work more efficiently. However, all hiring decisions - without exception - are made by our hiring managers.

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