Boat Operator – Hickling and Ranworth Broad
Salary: £13.71 per hour
Working Pattern: Part time, Casual. 7-Day rota, Weekend working and Bank Holiday working expected
Contract type: Casual, Seasonal
Location(s): Hickling Broad NR12 and Ranworth Broad NR13
Norfolk Wildlife Trust are seeking a Boat Operator to work across our Hickling and Ranworth Broad nature reserves.
About Us
Norfolk Wildlife Trust is the country’s largest environmental charity, committed to the protection and enhancement of Norfolk’s wildlife and wild places. Our visitor centres are situated on four of our nature reserves; NWT Cley Marshes, NWT Hickling Broad NNR, NWT Holme Dunes NNR, and NWT Ranworth Broad. We welcome 250,000 people every year to these nature reserves.
As well as ensuring visitors are well received and our visitor centres are in good order, we seek to increase Trust membership through active recruitment and income through sales, permits and donations. Boat Trip Operators support the Trust in its commitment to improving the visitor experience by providing information, interpretation and a friendly welcome, whilst providing a quality service.
About you and the Role
The Boat Trip Operators will be responsible for the daily operation of a ferry service from Malthouse Staithe to the NWT Broads Wildlife Centre at Ranworth Broad and also for taking visitors on boat trips to experience Ranworth Broad. At Hickling Broad there are daily boat trips from the reserve, and during the summer months we also operate from the village staithe. There are special one-off boat trips throughout the year and occasional evening boat trips. The boats used are based on a 'reedlighter' type design, carry up to twelve passengers and are powered by electric motors. Previous boating experience and good knowledge of Broadland wildlife is desirable.
The post holders will be required to undertake general maintenance on the boat as required, undertake daily checks on both the boat and lifejackets, and ensure the health and safety of all passengers.
We are looking for someone who can be flexible throughout a seven-day working week. Weekend and bank holiday availability will be essential for this role.
The closing date for applications is 11:59pm on Friday 17 April 2026.
Interview date: likely to be w/c 27 April 2026.
N.B. The post will be taken off our website when it has been filled.
Interested?
If you would like to apply and find out more about this position, please click the apply button to be directed to our website.
We value respect, integrity, trust and responsibility. We want our people to be as diverse as nature itself and so we particularly encourage applications from those currently under-represented within our sector, including people from minority ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities. We welcome people of all backgrounds and levels of experience with nature, and continually strive to improve our culture and practices. We are committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities. Please let us know if you require any adjustment processes to make our recruitment process more accessible.
No agencies please
