Careers

We are a small company based in Derbyshire but always on the look out for talented carpenters, gifted engineers, motivated sales staff, creative marketing staff, organised administrators and knowledgeable handover staff. If you have these skills, love working in a small team, like the idea of being near the canals for a living and willing to help our business grow then get in touch.

Benefits of working for Aqua Narrowboats:

  • Each person will have a full induction process with annual training & appraisal to ensure you are continually developing.
  • You will get 28 days annual leave (inclusive of Bank Holidays, pro-rota for reduced hour staff)
  • You will get Aqua Team clothing: shirts/ T-shirts/ sweater or jumpers and fleece
  • You will get an allowance for any heath and safety kit required.
  • You will get free parking onsite
  • We have a flexible working policy to allow late starts and early leaves for appointments.
  • Statutory sick pay is given where qualified.
  • We also operate a ‘time off in lieu system’ so you can work extra hours, and take it back later.
  • We have many ways of communicating with our team including meetings, staff intranet page with regular updates & posts, and welcome contributions by all employees.
  • We have a complimentary staff xmas ‘do’ and invite employees to any other events that may come our way!!

We operate from a new purpose built factory in Foston, just off the A50 giving great access and facilities for our staff.

Current Vacancies

Marine Engineer (open application from 10th to 31st July 2024)

Aqua Narrowboats are looking for a Marine Engineer that can the lead in marine engineering for a company that specialises in bespoke, high quality boat building of narrowboats as well as operating a luxury narrowboat hire fleet.

Using your eye for detail, you will lead with the boat build process for: engine installation & commissioning, plumbing & pipework, electrical wiring & systems, to the required high specifications.

As an advancing company we have already built several boats with hybrid propulsion systems, therefore a willingness to learn these new systems will be needed.

You will use your problem-solving skills & methodical thinking with the repairs & maintenance of our fleet of hire boats that we attend to.

You will use your friendly communication skills when having direct contact with our boat building customers.

Finally, you will be using your team & organizational skills for all jobs, listening carefully to instructions, interpreting job sheets and applying your constantly increasing engineering knowledge, whilst vigilantly following all health and safety procedures.

If you have always loved fixing things, looking at engines, finding out how things work; then this would be a great job for you. This is a hands on role and often working in narrowboat engine bays. Your love of learning and developing new skills will mean you are fully confident in your ability to take on new tasks independently. Although our team are happy to chat about best practice to help you too.

For this position you will be expected have completed an level 2 or 3 or equivalent in performing hands on engineering operations. You will already have gained a grade C or above in English and Maths GCSE. The ideal candidate must have experience in narrowboat engineering to take on the role, you may have worked on a hire fleet or gained experience with another boat builder.

This is a full time position (40 hrs/ week), although we would also welcome applicants that would like reduced hours or contracting for an experienced candidate. Working schedule is Monday to Friday, in our purpose built factory at Foston Derbyshire (DE65 5BU). You will be working alongside our team of carpenters.

You have the option to join our company pension scheme, there is free parking on site, our team work regular hours of 8am til 4.30pm and we offer a flexi toil scheme too.

Closing date is Monday 1st August 2024

Salary is £30,000 – £32,000 reviewed annually.

Where you will work: You will be working with a small team of engineers & joiners at our purpose built factory: The Boat House, Tomlinson Business Park, Woodyard Lane, Foston, DE65 5BU.

Salary: £30,000-£32,000.00 (Reviewed annually)

Working hours: 40 hours full time Permanent, although we would also consider reduced hours; or contracting for an experienced candidate. Working schedule is Monday to Friday.

To apply: please send your CV and covering letter to admin@aquanarrowboats.co.uk or submit below.

Handover Assistant for Hire Boats (open applications throughout the season 1st March to 30th September 2024)

Do you love working with narrowboats? Like to feel proud of your work you’ve achieved, like to keep improving what you’re doing? If the answer is yes, then working at Aqua Narrowboats might be the job for you.

Where you will work: You will be working with a small team of handover staff and engineers, based at Barton Turns Marina, Barton-under-Needwood, DE13 8DZ.

2023 Pay:  £12.82/hour including holiday pay, min age is 18, preferably 21.

Working hours: Saturdays starting at approx. 8.30am for approx. 4 – 6 hours (dependent on guests training needs), March through October, but will be dependent on the number of boats being turned around. This is a zero hour contract and you may not work every Saturday, as such you are paid any hours worked along with any holiday pay you would be entitled to on a monthly basis by bank transfer.

Experience required: You will have narrowboat handling experience and ideally a good knowledge of the canals, we give full training and you will shadow other team members until you are confident in handovers. It is a busy day but a great team to work with.

To apply: please email your CV or a covering letter explaining your narrowboating experience to admin@aquanarrowboats.co.uk or submit below

Main Purpose of Job:         

To provide practical and verbal instruction on the safe operation of both hire boats and canal locks to ensure both novices and experienced customers alike have a safe and relaxing holiday. To communicate both courteously and patiently with customers to establish the individual’s training needs and requirements. To answer any questions or concerns that a customer may have.

Main duties and tasks:

  1. To thoroughly clean the outside of the craft and refill water.
  2. To offer a friendly welcome to customers boarding the craft.
  3. To carry out a thorough walkthrough of the craft ensuring that the customer is familiar with the workings of the boat and any daily checks that they are required to carry out.
  4. To work independently and as part of a team to meet timescales for the handover.
  5. To provide tuition and guidance to customers on the handling and safe navigation of the boat, including a demonstration of locks to novices.
  6. To provide guidance on the safe mooring of the craft.
  7. To adhere to health and safety procedures and risk assessments when working independently and as part of a team to ensure that all company procedures are adhered to.
  8. To ensure that a customer is confident in handling the boat and the operation of locks before the end of handover. This may involve spending extra time on board.
  9. Once underway to spend at least 20 minutes with experienced customers to ensure that they are completely happy with the craft.
  10. To deal with any complaints or queries from colleagues, customers or members of the public in a calm and considered approach.
  11. Any other duties as seen necessary for the post.

Internal & External Boat Cleaners (Open applications throughout the season 1st March to 30th September 2024)

We are currently looking for help to join our friendly team turning around our fleet of hire boats at Barton Marina.

Where you will work: You will be working with a small team of handover staff and engineers, based at Barton Turns Marina, Barton-under-Needwood, DE13 8DZ.

2023 Pay: £9.64 (for 18 to 20 year olds) or £12.82 (21+) per hour including holiday pay

Working hours: Saturdays, starting at 8.30am for approx. 3 – 5 hours, March through October, but will be dependent on the number of boats being turned around. This is a zero hour contract and you may not work every Saturday, as such you are paid any hours worked along with any holiday pay you would be entitled to on a monthly basis by bank transfer. Must be over 18 years of age and be able to swim as you will be working alongside the water.

To apply: Please send your CV and / or covering letter to admin@aquanarrowboats.co.uk or submit below.

Main Purpose of Job:         

To help clean the inside & outside of boats ready for our new guests arrival. You may also be asked to carry out checks inside the boats to ensure everything is working correctly. No experience necessary as full training will be provided but you must be able to work at speed to a high standard, as our guests expect no less.

Main duties and tasks:

1. To thoroughly clean internal & exterior areas of the boat to including windows, paintwork, chrome work and engine bays.
2. To carry out internal checks of inventory, systems and appliances (full training provided).
3. To notify of any breakages or damages noticed whilst working, and replace from our stock.
4. To work independently and as part of a team to meet timescales for the arrival of our guests.
5. To adhere to health and safety procedures and risk assessments when working independently and as part of a team to ensure that all company procedures are adhered to.
6. To deal with any complaints or queries from colleagues, customers or members of the public in a calm and considered approach.
7. Any other duties as seen necessary for the post as internal/ external cleaner.

If you think you can contribute your skills and friendly approach as part of our professional team please upload your CV below or get in touch. For a chat about this opportunity please Tel 01283 585718.

Submit Your Details and CV Below

    Please upload your CV here: