Jobs

Scottish Canals are the custodians of the nation’s canal network and surrounding estates. Our vision is to care for and invest in the canal network to generate lasting benefit for people and communities; celebrating their industrial heritage, ensuring they offer quality green and blue spaces for people and communities and contribute to Scotland’s resilience in tackling climate change.

Our success is rooted in valuing the contributions of our entire team – we care, we create, and we collaborate to continue to deliver a whole range of activities from boating, paddling, walking and wheeling to living and playing and improving what the canals have to offer to our visitors and communities. We also work with partners and stakeholders to contribute to a wealthier, fairer, greener and more resilient Scotland.

As an employer we offer a truly unique opportunity to be part of our team, help us realise our vision and contribute to looking after our heritage and ensuring our canals flourish now and in the future.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Maintenance Operative to join our Engineering and Infrastructure Team. You will play a key role in the team’s day to day maintenance of our unique Scottish Canals’ assets.

The Role
Purpose of role:
•Promoting a safe and secure customer experience on the waterways.
•Carry out maintenance tasks identified, in order to enhance the reputation of the network as a valued national asset and supporting SC’s aims to improve safety and increase the number of people using the waterways whilst protecting the heritage and integrity of the inland waterway network.
•Contribute to the maintenance, conservation and improvement of the business unit’s waterway network for local communities and visitors to enjoy.
•Working efficiently to defined standards the role helps to create a safe, secure and vibrant waterway network where visitors are delighted with the quality of their experience.

Day to day tasks, including challenging aspects of the job:
•Comply with SC Health & Safety policy and defined standards, report incidents, accidents and near misses.
•Working as part of a growing team to maintain Scottish canals small civil engineering assets to a safe and functioning level. The assets you will be responsible for maintaining vary widely from lock gates to bridges to the Falkirk wheel.
•Training and development will be a key aspect of your employment, as the assets you will be repairing vary. This is part of the challenge of the role but is all so part of the reward.
•Working within an agreed standby rota
•Working on agreed projects driven by AMX system
•Completing 3rd party contractual projects to meet SC standards
•Planning and participating with the GWP and stoppage programme
•Responding to emergency situations
•Complete point of work risk assessments and adjust work methods where appropriate. Ensure all equipment (PPE, plant, materials etc) is appropriate for the task.
•Working outside, ensure that the customer experience is maximised by providing outstanding levels of customer service in accordance with defined standards and promote SC by maintaining a professional approach at all times.
•Support asset inspections. Identify and report any structure failures, breaches, damage or pollution incidents to Operations Supervisor or Engineers.

The Person
Qualifications and knowledge required:
•NVQ level II in relevant discipline
•Relevant valid competency for use of plant/tools and equipment to maintain the canal/river environment.
•Valid driving licence appropriate for vehicle to be driven.
Skills and experience required:
•Experience of working within relevant maintenance environment
•Experience within the construction industry
•Core skills to include concreting & brickwork / carpentry / metal work & fabrication.
•Plant operation certification
•PC literacy and numeracy skills.
•Relevant heritage and environmental awareness e.g. awareness of effects of invasive vegetation on heritage assets.

Personal qualities & abilities required:
•Judgement regarding safety and appropriateness of equipment and resources in line with SC defined standards and procedures.
•Judgement regarding upward referral of issues to line management for further guidance.
•Use of initiative in applying and maintaining high levels of customer service in accordance with SC defined standards.
•Recognising when immediate judgements need to be made to alter required approach where safety or customer service may be affected.
•Co-operate with and support team members eg operatives from other functional teams, members within same functional team.
•Co-operate with and support team members from other teams outside of main function e.g. Engineers, support teams.
•Liaise and work alongside third parties such as contractors and user groups such as volunteers.

This is a permanent post based in Grangemouth and includes travel across the canal network.

Scottish Canals offers a generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days per (inc. public holidays), enhanced company sick pay and contributory pension scheme with an up to 10% matched employer contribution.

This role attracts an incremental salary starting at £23,000, an 11.25% variable hours allowance and an £850 outdoor working allowance.

Application Deadline: Sunday 10/12/2023