Licensing Ranger/Operative

Job Purpose

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.

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Trust as a Licencing Ranger. The Licensing, Compliance, & Enforcement team play a vital role in monitoring boat licence compliance, supporting customers achieve licence compliance, reporting and signposting of vulnerability and safeguarding concerns, and protecting c.£25m income derived from boat licensing Where compliance cannot be achieved, cases are progressed professionally and efficiently through defined licence and statutory enforcement processes to remove non-compliant boats from Trust waters.

Travel

Formally based at our Leeds hub, this starts the day where required ; travelling around Yorkshire & North East & North West region.

Hubs include: Burnley, Ellesmere Port, Leeds.

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

Knowledge, Skills/Qualifications & Experience

Licensing, Compliance, & Enforcement are committed to returning to a boat licensing rate of at least 95% by 2028. The Trust has around 35,000 boats on its waters, with around 7,600 of those boats 'continuously cruising' and needing to meet the additional requirements for a boat without a home mooring. Boat sightings, around 500,000 annually, taken by Licensing Rangers are fundamental to our support and enforcement processes. The Trust typically manage around 3000 core enforcement tasks each month, at various stages of process. The majority of cases are resolved, but around 100 boats are removed from the water each year as a result of enforcement process. Around 10% of these boats are lived aboard boats.

Role is outdoor based and will involve a significant amount of walking and/or cycling. A bicycle can be provided, if required. In some cases, vans are provided or fuel expenses or public transport paid in order to access areas of geographic responsibility.

Key accountabilities:

• Responsible for capturing boat sightings on a specified geographic area of the waterway network (there may be extenuating circumstances where there is a need to support other, suitable, geographic areas)
• Sightings are obtained using an iPad/tablet application (provided) on a pre-determined schedule.
• Photographs of boats may also be required (taken on iPad/tablet application) in certain circumstances.
• Rangers will also be required to attach notices and letters to boats concerning licensing issues or enforcement and complete supporting documents to evidence service as required.
• This role will involve face-to-face customer contact and may be required to pass paperwork and notices to boaters, as well as providing basic customer service and signposting to appropriate Trust teams.
• Rangers will work closely with case management and welfare teams, directly and through supervision, to ensure documents are served and sightings obtained to ensure efficient case progress and customer support.
• Through awareness of indicators of welfare and safeguarding risks, role will highlight and refer cases of concern to relevant teams and supervision.
• Where needed, rangers may be required to support boat removals by ensuring towpath closures are adhered or by other required means.
• Driving licence is essential as driving is an integral part of this role.
• There may be a need to use workboats to obtain sightings, either as a passenger or as a skipper where appropriate qualification is held.
• Displaying the Trust values and behaviours at all times.
• Good knowledge of GDPR, Freedom of Information Act, Equality Act 2010.

About you

Technical:

• Previous experience of working with face to face with customers, in often difficult situations where enforcement communication is being delivered.
• Experience of working outside in all elements, often in a lone working environment and covering a different geographic area each day.
• An awareness of indicators of mental or physical health risks, or safeguarding concerns when dealing with customers.
• Able to work under own initiative, with attention to detail and ability to deliver results in challenging situations and environments.
• Excellent team working skills, a logical thinker with a positive 'can do' attitude.
• Basic knowledge of relevant Acts, Bye Laws and licensing terms and conditions, affecting Canal & River Trust.

General:

• Personable and understanding approach to people.
• Personable and understanding approach to people .
• Ability to work and communicate co-operatively with others to plan and complete actions and tasks in a timely, efficient manner.
• Ability to plan so that tasks can be completed in synchronisation with sightings schedule.
• Full UK Driver Licence.
• Ability to ride a bike essential - provided.
• Computer literacy, including knowledge of Office 365 suite, and preferable experience of using a customer relationship management system.
• Knowledge of Canal and River Trust computer systems and basic knowledge of Canal and River Trust policy, principals & standards (preferable).
• A basic knowledge of the requirements of the Data Protection Act and Equality Act would be beneficial.

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

What We Offer

In addition to your annual salary of £ 25,500 , we may offer a shared company van (for work use), a bike for canal access, a offer a generous holiday entitlement, and a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme. Further details can be found here : https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits

• 25 days paid holiday, plus paid Bank Holidays, increasing to 27 days plus Bank Holidays after 3 years
• Annual £200 personal learning & growth award to spend on any learning related activity - hobbies; aspirations etc.
• Free access to specialist counselling on a range of issues - health; financial; lifestyle; well-being; domestic & neighbourly matters.
• Access to a range of employee benefits including - store discounts; boating holiday discounts; holiday purchase scheme.
• 2 days paid volunteering leave, volunteering for local community project work.

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]]>