Seasonal Assistant Lockkeeper

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.WATERWAYSIRELAND.ORG, TO COMPLETE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FORM. CV'S WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

JOB TITLE: SeasonalAssistant Lock Keeper

Fixed Term Contract to 31st October 2025

WEEKLY PAY: €668.16 gross (pro rata)

REPORTS TO: Lockkeeper, Foreman

LOCATION(S): The successful applicant will be expected to over a range of locks within the North Shannon area, i.e., Tarmonbarry & Clondra, Rooskey, Clarendon, Lough Allen, Battlebridge, Drumleague, Drumshanbo and Albert Lock.

SUMMARY OF ROLE

Waterways Ireland wishes to recruit Seasonal staff to assist with lock operations on the Shannon Navigation at various locations. The successful applicant will provide assistance with the operation of the lock and the maintenance and upkeep of the navigation locks\sluices and lifting bridges over the summer period. Seasonal staff will be required to work at one, or a number of different locks as required by Line Management.

KEY FUNCTIONS

• Operation of lock gates and lifting bridges to assist vessels moving on the navigation and through lock chambers
• Taking and giving of ropes from and to boat users to assist passage of boats
• Collection of fees and recording / maintaining boat register / log
• Assisting members of the public
• Recording and reporting of water levels and rainfall data
• Maintain and keep clean lock house/bridge house
• Actively carry out maintenance work in the area around the lock
• Operation of sluices and lifting bridges (where appropriate)
• Implementation of Waterways Ireland's Health and Safety policy
• Supporting the role of the Lock Keeper

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• To provide assistance to boats to move through the navigation locks and bridges in a safe and enjoyable manner
• To assist in the task of preserving and protecting the integrity of Waterways Ireland in the area to which you are assigned
• To assist in maintaining the areas to which you are assigned in a safe, clean, and tidy condition.
• To report to the Lock keeper\Foreman on all works, conditions of site, safety, and security of each site.
• To attend training courses as directed and assist in the management of Health and Safety at work.
• Comply with all Waterways Ireland policies and procedures whilst attending work.
• To report and liaise with the Lock Keeper\Foreman
• To assist in all other duties as may be directed by the Lock Keeper / Foreman
• Comply with and actively promote Waterways Ireland policies and procedures on all aspects of equality.
• Complete all training as required by Waterways Ireland within specified timeframes

The above list is not exhaustive, and you may be required to take on other duties and responsibilities for the effective and efficient performance of your role. The organisation operates within a changing environment, and you will be required to be flexible and adapt to these changes and to develop your role as a result going forward.

AREA OF OPERATION

Appointees may be required to report directly to work, as directed by Management, to any Lock location on the North Shannon area.

In general, a specific lock location on the North Shannon will be set as your place of work however on occasion you may be asked to cover at a different lock in the North Shannon.

Travel expenses will not be paid for travelling to and from the designated workplace.

CONTACTS WITH

• Staff of Waterways Ireland
• Members of the public
• Waterway users

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Working on and around deep water

Seasonal Lock Keepers are required to assist in the operation of locks during the boating season. A staff rota is operated for the season, along the lines of Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday (Week 1) and Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (Week 2). The appointed staff must be available to work to this rota. Weekly hours vary from 28-39 depending on rota during the summer season. Ad-hoc days may be offered from March to September, depending on demand.

LUNCH BREAK One hour daily, between 13.00 and 14.00, lunch rota managed locally.

LOCK OPENING HOURS

Shannon Lock Opening Hours

Season Dates

Weekdays

Mon- Sat

Sundays

1

Mar 14 - Mar 31

09:30 - 18:30

09:30 - 18:00

2

Apr 01 - Sept 30

09:30 - 19:30

09:30 - 18:00

3

Oct 01 - Oct 31

09:30 - 18:30

09:30 - 18:00

4

Nov 1 - Mar 13

09:00 - 12:00

09:00 - 11:00

LUNCH BREAK 13:00 - 14:00

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Candidates must clearly outline how they meet the Eligibility & Essential

criterial detailed below, both in their application form and at interview.

Eligibility Criteria

• Possess a valid Safe Pass Card
• Possess a valid driving licence

Essential Criteria

• Possess good communication skills
• Possess basic numeracy / literary skills
• Be aware of the Health and Safety issues associated with working near water
• Have experience in maintaining internal and external work areas

Desirable Criteria

• Be familiar with lock / sluice / lifting bridge operations
• Experience of working in a water-based environment
• Experience / knowledge of operating a boat
• Knowledge of the Shannon Navigation Byelaws (1992)
• Experience working under limited supervision

Short-listing Process

1. A short-list of candidates for interviews will be prepared on the basis of the information contained in the application. It is essential that all applicants demonstrate on their application how, and the extent to which, they satisfy each of the Eligibility, Essential & Desirable Criteria.
2. Only those candidates who meet the Eligibility Criteria will proceed to the formal short-listing process.

1. The candidates who meet the Eligibility Criteria will then have the information contained in their application assessed against the Essential & Desirable Criteria.
2. Where a specified period of experience is mentioned, it may be increased as a method of reducing numbers or in the event of a large volume of candidates the Desirable Criteria may also be used.

Reserve Panel

This competition will create a merit-based panel which will last 12 months. Similar opportunities that arise over the next 12 months will be offered to successful applicants in order of merit.

Please note that only the first 40 completed applications received will be considered by the panel.