Richmond Lock Foreman

Job Description

Job title: Lock Foreman
Department: Chief Harbour Master
Reporting to: Richmond Lock Manager
Grade: 8
Salary: £39,002 per annum (£48,752 per annum inclusive of allowances; 10% operational allowances and a 15% shift allowance)
Base: Richmond Lock and Weir
Closing date: 15th November 2024
Interview date: 29th November 2024

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Who we are:

The Port of London Authority is the statutory harbour authority for the tidal Thames and responsible for 95 miles of the River Thames from the Estuary to Teddington Lock in West London. We work to keep river users safe, protect and enhance the environment and promote the use of the river for trade and travel. The Chief Harbour Master’s department is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Port Marine Safety Code, ensuring the safety of navigation for all mariners in the Port of London, enforcing the rules and regulations and leading on Port Security and Emergency and Resilience Planning for the PLA. The Harbour Master team are responsible for Richmond Lock & Weir, the Harbour Service and Pilot Cutter crew and operations and marine incident investigations.

The role:

We are currently recruiting for a Lock Foreman to join the team based at Richmond Lock and Weir. You will be required to operate and maintain the condition and appearance of the site, along with the surrounding infrastructure and land. You will facilitate the passage of vessels and personnel transiting the site on a lone working self-relieving shift pattern.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operate the Lock gates at Richmond Lock to expedite the safe passage of vessels and the collection of tolls through the Lock.
• Monitor water levels and tidal readouts of Richmond Lock to ensure equipment is operating correctly.
• Monitor and report defects and malfunctions to the Lock and Weir machinery to ensure operational continuity is achieved.
• Develop an effective working relationship with River users to ensure the safe and timely passage through the Lock.
• Monitor and check the status of vessels in the Lock to ensure the safety of people and vessels using the facility.
• Liaise with the non-tidal Thames navigational authority’s representatives to ensure appropriate water levels are maintained to facilitate the safe passage of vessels through the lock.
• Control access to the public footbridge and ensure gates are locked and unlocked in order to maintain published opening times.
• Receive monies and issue receipts for lock tolls.
• Maintain efficient records electronically and where log sheets are used.
• Maintain the internal decoration and cleanliness of the Lock Foremen’s accommodation and office space.
• Maintain the external appearance, decoration, cleanliness of the buildings and boundary fences, including the presentation of the grounds grass and gardens.

What we are looking for:

A knowledge of the River Thames regime, lock and weir operations including basic knowledge of engineering principles, and Thames Byelaws.

Excellent communication skills and the ability to build working relationship with the general public and internally with a number of departments.

Be self-motivated, autonomous, and capable of using initiative, while also thriving in a team environment.

Experience with small boat handling and hold a VHF Radio Operators License.

Ability to create reports on incidents involving the Lock, general public and vessels.

In return, we offer a competitive benefits package:

• 28 days of annual leave
• Health Cash Plan (Westfield Health)
• Generous pension scheme
• Access to Occupational Health, Mindfulness, Counselling, and Physiotherapy services
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Access to MyGymDiscounts

For further information or if you would like to have an informal discussion about the position, please contact Joshua Rebbettes, Deputy Harbour Master at joshua.rebbettes@pla.co.uk.

The PLA are not registered with the UK Home Office and do not sponsor candidates who require a visa or work permit to work in the UK, therefore an offer of employment cannot be made unless you currently hold the rights to live and work in the UK.