Lock Keeper - 7592

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated person to join our Upper Medway Navigation Team at Allington Lock. As a resident lock keeper you will work closely with our other duty lock keeper to provide great customer service and maintain our site at Allington to a high standard.

Responsibilities include:
• Operating our structures to manage and regulate water levels
• Providing safe passage to boaters through the lock and manage other activities and issues on and around the site
• Assisting customers and colleagues with local expertise to ensure effective management of the navigation of the river
• Looking after site buildings and grounds to ensure they are safe, and kept clean
• Supervising contractors working on site
• Providing an effective out-of-hours service including incident response.
• Maintaining and developing a strong culture of health & safety
• Developing and maintaining a strong customer service and acting as an ambassador for the Environment Agency
• Undertaking enforcement and regulation activities
• Ensuring efficient record keeping
• Collecting customer payments including licence sales, mooring fees, and reconciling and managing petty cash.
• Assisting the team with maintenance tasks at other sites on the Upper Medway Navigation

The Environment Agency are the custodians of the historic public right of navigation between Allington Lock and Tonbridge. Our 10 strong Upper Medway Navigation team are responsible for maintaining this section of the river and its 10 lock sites, which includes maintaining navigation water levels, removal of obstructions, dredging, routine repairs and vegetation management. The team also prides itself of providing great customer service to our boating customers.

• Strong customer focus skills
• Excellent communication skills particularly face to face and over the phone
• Well organised and methodical with attention to detail and good PC/ Microsoft office skills
• A quick learner who can work effectively and efficiently on your own or as part of a team
• Able to swim
• Able to drive and have a valid driving licence

Closing Date: 23rd February 2018 at 23:55 hours
You will be required to work a shift pattern of two days on two days off as well as being on standby 24 hours a day during the days you’re on duty.

Full training will be given once in post.

This is a residential post and the successful applicant will be expected to move into the lock cottage at Allington.

Interviews will be held mid to late March 2018 at our Allington Lock office.

For further information, please contact Simon Cox on 02084746807 or by email: simon.cox@environment-agency.gov.uk

Develop and maintain a strong customer focus and address the needs of internal and external customers. Provide a rapid and effective response.

Sets and delivers high work standards and demonstrates an ability to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks to ensure the timely achievement of results.

An active listener, able to use a full range of communication methods to ensure effective understanding. Clear and to the point when speaking and preparing written documents

Develop and maintain good health & safety practice, by actively promoting safety awareness and complying with Environment Agency policies and standards.