Salary: £32,367 – £35,218 (£36,858 – £40,030 including allowances)
Closing Date: 17/07/2026
Department: Engineering
Location: Dochgarroch
Hours per week: 35
About Us
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 our industrial heritage, ensuring we offer high‑quality green and blue spaces, and contributing 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 deliver a full range of activities, from boating, paddling, walking, and wheeling to living, playing, and enhancing what the canals offer to our visitors and communities. We also work closely with partners and stakeholders to support a wealthier, fairer, greener, and more resilient Scotland.
As an employer, we offer a unique opportunity to be part of our team, help us realise our vision, and contribute to protecting our heritage while ensuring our canals flourish now and in the future.
About The Role
We are looking for a Multiskilled Operative to join our team based at Dochgarroch on the iconic Caledonian Canal — a key operational hub set in one of Scotland’s most scenic and diverse working environments.
Applicants must have experience working within a mechanical or hydraulic discipline, along with an NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) and practical experience. Knowledge of other disciplines is desirable, and cross‑skill training is available. We actively support staff development, including opportunities to broaden technical capability across multiple disciplines.
Using your technical expertise, you will undertake, and assist with, planned maintenance, breakdown response, fault investigation, repair, and improvement works on a variety of equipment, installations, and assets throughout the canal network, both land‑ and water‑based.
About The Reward
This role is offered on a permanent basis with a progressive salary range of £32,367 – £35,218 (Band C) plus an additional 11.25% Variable Hours allowance and a £850 Outdoor Working allowance.
Working an average of 35 hours per week on a variable rota.
Scottish Canals offer a generous annual leave entitlement of 32 days, plus 6 public holidays, along with enhanced sick pay, discounted shopping vouchers, health cash plan and a contributory pension scheme with up to 10% employer contribution.
About You
Flexibility and initiative are essential, as responding to emergency breakdowns forms part of the role. The post involves frequent outdoor work in all weather conditions, working both as part of a multi‑disciplinary team and independently without immediate supervision.
Primary Responsibilities
- Assist with delivery of planned preventative maintenance, new installation work, inspections, fault diagnosis, and repairs in line with your skills, experience, training, and ability.
- Under supervision, provide recommendations for minor issues and assist with small projects.
- Inspect, monitor, and report on the condition of Scottish Canals’ assets within your competency.
- Comply with Scottish Canals’ Health & Safety policy and standards; report incidents, accidents, and near misses; and support the development of risk assessments and method statements.
- Provide administrative support to ensure accurate recording of maintenance activities using Microsoft Office software.
- Assist with works planning and prioritisation of resources.
- Participate in an out‑of‑hours standby rota when required.
Qualifications, Skills & Experience Required
- NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline
- Experience with rotating machinery, valves, electro‑hydraulic systems, instrumentation, hydraulic power units, fluid pumps, and fabrication
- Full UK driving licence
- Good communication skills
- Strong health & safety awareness
- Competent in using Microsoft Office applications
- Ability to work within a multi‑disciplinary team
- Ability to manage your own workload in line with agreed plans
Scottish Canals reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications are received.
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