Job Purpose

*** Internal Job Title - Craft Operative - Wood Machinist  ***

The Canal & River Trust is one of the UK’s largest charities, we maintain 2,000 miles of historic canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs, along with museums, archives and the country’s third largest collection of protected historic buildings – preserving them for future generations.  Our waterways are exciting, vibrant places to work.  

Ensuring our waterways are available for customers to enjoy is a year round activity, and every eyar during the Winter period our construction teams focus on delivering a specific planned Winter Works Programme. 

We are looking for an experienced Craft Operative (Multi-skilled) to join our Bradley Workshop Team team. 

As a Craft Operative for our waterway you will play an important role applying to help us improve, maintain, and preserve our wonderful network for our customers to enjoy today and into the future. This will involve undertaking the manufacture and refurbishment of lock gates and associated equipment, working efficiently to defined safety / environmental and heritage standards at all times. 

The post holders will be required to work an annualised hour’s system which includes working any 5 days out of 7 rota'd system including statutory holidays and weekends. Our Craft Operatives look after specific stretches of our regional waterways, however the team are naturally called upon to support work in other areas as required, so you need to have your own transport and valid UK driving licence.  We would also welcome applicants who would like to be considered for part time hours, please contact us on CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk if you wish to explore this option further. 

We have roles available reporting to the base at Bradley.

Occasionally you may also be required to work in other areas of region West Midlands (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/where-we-work/west-midlands). 

Knowledge, Skills/Qualifications & Experience

About the role

As a Craft Operative for our waterway you will play an important role improving, maintaining and preserving our wonderful waterway network for our customers to enjoy by efficiently maintaining our locks and other assets along the local network in line with safety requirements and heritage standards. 

Responding to work priorities and business needs, you will enhance the reputation of the network and support Canal & River Trust’s aims to improve safety; protecting the heritage and integrity of the inland waterway network.

Responsiblities

As a Woodworking Machine Operator you will be required to: 

Set up and operate a variety of wood working machines to surface, cut and shape timber for the fabrication of lock gates. 

Set out timber for the cutting of mortice and tenon joins 

Assist Bench Joiners in the fabrication of the lock gates.

Skills/Qualifications/Experience:

Experienced in setting out timber components

Able to demonsrate experience in operating a wide variety of large scale wood working machinery that would include planers, mortice and tenon machines, cross cut saws, bench saws. 

Experience of using wood working power tools including Chain Saws

Experienc in working with large section Green Oak.

About you

General woodworking skills are a minimum requirement.  Whilst it is also important that you can turn your hand to other skills which will be taught along the way, an understanding of, and high level of competence in certain disciplines are necessary.  You may have a background in the building trade, or from a specialist construction craft background.

Skills/Qualifications/Experience

Apprenticeship or equivalent qualification (or experience) eg City & Guilds Level II, NVQ Level II 

Experience handling plant/equipment in group A eg chainsaw, hand power tools, fork lift truck.

Experience of working within relevant discipline eg Joinery, Carpentry, etc. 

Experience of reading technical drawings.

Full Valid UK Driving Licence - you will need to be able to respond across the region and get to where the team need you.  

To Apply:  click on the "Apply for this job" button and follow the process - complete the application form & upload current CV.

If you have any questions about the role please contact CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk

We are currently conducting our interview processes virtually as we continue to respect and follow necessary social distancing guidance to protect our team and our candidates.  You may be invited to a face to face further stage interview which will always be conducted following strict social distancing guidelines. 

What We Offer

At the Trust we care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We strongly believe that a diverse workforce brings with it a diversity of ideas, thinking and ways of working which enhances what we do as a Trust.

In addition to your salary of £22,500, we offer access to a generous contributory DC Pension Plan, and excellent annual holiday entitlement. More information on our benefits can be found here (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits)

We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of. All candidates will be  reated on the basis of their merits, skills and abilities and solely by being assessed against the requirements for the job. Many of our vacancies can be considered for people who wish to work flexibly, job share or part time.