Job Purpose

Our 2,000 miles of canals and rivers play host to over 34,000 boats nationally. These boats are home, holiday and workplace to thousands of people and we’re proud to support this thriving community by safeguarding our waterways.   

Within our London & South East region we have an increasing number of boats registered on our waterways - they are busy, thriving places and we have a vacancy to come and join this diverse and busy team to support our customers and our operations.

As a Boat Licencing Ranger, you will be working closely with the Boat Licence Customer Support Supervisor and Boat Licence Customer Support Officers to collect boat sightings data, issue patrol notices and provide ad hoc customer service on the towpath. This role works outdoors 5 days per week in all weather conditions so you need to love the weather all year around. 

The position is on our Grand Union waterway and currently covers from {Norton Junction through to Watford, including the Northampton Arm, Wendover Arm & Aylesbury Arm} It also covers our Oxford Canal from Lower Heyford through to Oxford City Centre, though cover may be required in other areas of the Region to support colleagues from time to time. 

Watch this short clip from our London & South East region

Knowledge, Skills/Qualifications & Experience

About the role:

Our boaters contribute to our annual income which helps us maintain the waterways for everyone with a boat. Boats and boaters are integral to our canals, a reminder that the original purpose of our waterways was for navigation.

This is a customer facing role, interacting all day every day with our waterway users and visitors, and we are keen to hear from people who can demonstrate an ability to communicate with individuals and groups successfully. 

This is not a uniformed, policing role. You must love working with the public and will demonstrate empathy and understanding. There will be some weekend working, especially during boating season.

On a day to day basis your role will require you to:

• Use of handheld computer (iPad) to input boat details.
• Collect boat details by walking, cycling or boating.
• Applying notices to boats for non-compliance, i.e., No Licence, Overstaying.
• Data inputting and analysis of boat data information.
• Face to face discussions with customers.
• Ensure that the safety requirements are adhered to i.e. Lone Working, Risk Assessment, Method Statements, Points of Work Assessment, Confined Spaces, Asbestos etc.
• When requested, assist in the removal of boats under the Trust's Statutory Powers.

Skills:

Essential

• Computer literate (essential) - you will be using mobile devices all day every day.
• A good standard of literacy and numeracy.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Organised and structured - you will work for long periods alone across locations.

It is also essential that you hold a current full driving licence (to drive a liveried vehicle) and can confidently ride a bike. This role involves covering a large area and you will be required to move across our waterway and between locations quickly to respond to any issue and fulfil your daily duties across the West and Central areas of London's Waterways.