Civil Engineer (Fixed term contract until 14th November 2025)

Job Purpose:

** Fixed term or internal (only) secondment contract until 14th November 2025 ** 

Job Title: Engineer

Advertised Salary: £36,000 - £41,500 FTE (depending on experience) + car cash allowance (£4,680 p.a.) + benefits

Location: Remote, with regular travel across our North West network required. 

Do you want to be a part of the team that’s making life better by water?

We are the charity who look after and bring to life 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales, because we believe that life is better by water. Every role across the Trust plays it's part in transforming our canals and rivers into spaces where local people want to spend time and feel better, bringing wellbeing benefits to millions (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/how-we-make-a-difference). 

We are a team of engineers and technicians that design and/or manage the design of repairs on a diverse range of our historical assets. We are responsible for undertaking designs of technical solutions, preparing specifications and briefing documents for our direct labour force, external contractors and consultants. Our works are focussed on conserving and enhancing our precious waterways for future generations.

Our role is to provide design support to maintain, repair and rebuild the Trust’s infrastructure to enable visitors to safely enjoy our canals and rivers and safeguard them for future generations. Our aim is to develop efficient and innovative engineering solutions to the multitude of challenges we face maintaining our waterways and infrastructure day to day.

We are currently looking for a Civil Engineer in the North West. Specifically:

• Investigate, develop and specify cost effective engineering and construction solutions ensuring best value, considering user requirements and whole life costs.
• Design and specify engineering solutions as Designer for works in accordance with CDM 2015.
• Produce design information for the maintenance, repair and renewal works for delivery by both Trust‘s teams and external contractors.
• Provide technical support to the Trust’s in-house construction teams, contractors and volunteers.

We are an ICE approved employer, providing structured learning and professional development support. 

Location & coverage

Administratively based from our Burnley or Ellesmere Port hubs, this vacancy will be offered on a hybrid/remote working basis, with a requirement to attend our hub spaces as and when required for team working and collaborative meetings. 

This role will regular travel (2 - 3 days a week) to and along the reservoirs, canals and river navigations of the North West networks (Cumbria, Merseyside, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Cheshire). Our successful applicant will help support site visits and inspections in these area. 

The regularity and distribution of travel will be discussed further at interview stage. 

See our network map here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network 

Our Engineers are important to the success of the Canal & River Trust. The role will involve ‘designing and contributing to the planning of repairs on a diverse range of historical assets associated with the canal network. As one of our civil engineers you will be responsible for undertaking designs of technical solutions, preparing specifications and briefing documents for our in-house construction teams, contractors and consultants. It is an extremely varied and interesting role and whether you are coordinating with various stakeholders, delivering innovative solutions or helping to define standards and procedures, you will be working to conserve and enhance our navigable waterways for future generations.

Key accountabilities:

• Development of simple designs to address defects using existing standard solutions, and bespoke solutions to more complex defects and engineering issues.
• Investigate and develop cost effective design and construction solutions ensuring best value, considering user requirements and whole life costs.
• Design and specify engineering solutions as Designer for works in accordance with CDM 2015.
• Provide design support for the maintenance and repair works delivered by the Trust‘s in-house construction teams and external contractors, taking account of statutory, technical, operational and customer requirements.
• Provide technical support and works specifications to the Trust’s in-house construction teams, contractors and volunteers.  
• Contribute technical advice and design briefs for larger schemes during the concept, detailed design, construction and commissioning phases.
• Contribute to the development and the implementation of the Trust‘s design guidance, standards and specifications.

About you

Technical:

• Academic or vocational qualification in civil engineering or associated discipline. 
• Evidence of Continuous Professional Development.
• Academic or vocational qualification in a civil engineering or associated discipline.
• Practical work-based experience of civil engineering design and construction, preferably in a water environment - desirable.
• Knowledge and understanding of historic infrastructure, preferably in a water environment.
• Awareness of environmental considerations in relation to civil engineering design
• Practical experience with AutoCAD, desirable. 

General: 

• Experience of working within a diverse and multi-disciplined project team.
• Able to effectively communicate with internal and external contacts, in writing and in person at meetings.
• Good standard of written and verbal communication and proven ability to present technical data to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proficient in the use of business software e.g. MS Office. Experience of using GIS or mapping systems.
• Confirmation of right to work in the UK (without sponsorship).
• Valid driving licence and access to a vehicle as your work will require you to reach locations not easily accessible by public transport.

Valid driving licence as your work will require you to reach locations not easily reached by public transport. Access to a vehicle is needed. 

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 reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

In addition to your annual base salary of £36,000 - £41,500 FTE, we also offer Car Cash Allowance (£390 per month), a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, and numerous other employee benefits, including several salary sacrifice benefits we are also open to flexible working arrangements. These include:

• Competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, where we will double your contribution to a maximum of 10%.
• 25 days paid holiday (plus paid Bank Holidays), increasing to 30 days after 5 years.
• Home working status with ‘hub’ facilities available should you need the flexibility to work outside of home.
• Annual £200 personal learning & growth award to spend on any learning related activity.
• Free access to specialist counselling on a range of issues, e.g. health, financial, well-being and domestic matters.
• Access to a range of employee benefits including store discounts, boating holiday discounts and holiday purchase scheme.
• 2 days paid volunteering leave per annum, allowing you to volunteer for a local community project etc.
• Free fishing facilities across our canal network.

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. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.

All candidates will be treated on the basis of their merits, skills and abilities and solely by being assessed against the requirements for the job.

When you join the Canal & River Trust you become a member of an engaged team working to preserve our heritage for future generations. Come and share your passion and knowledge with a team that makes a difference to millions of people every day.

Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us