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Water Bailiff

Do you want to become a Water Bailiff? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

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Water bailiffs make sure that rivers and lakes are suitable for recreation purposes. They encourage aquatic life and also enforce laws that protect rivers and lakes. The work varies between jobs, but bailiffs may:

• keep a check on fish health and water quality
• identify any source of water pollution
• reconstruct river banks and streams
• issue licences to water users and inspect anglers' licences
• enforce laws that protect rivers and lakes
• check that anglers abide by byelaws that protect fish stocks
• check that angling does not take place in close seasons
• stop and search boats suspected of being used for illegal purposes
• arrest any person committing a serious offence.

Salaries range from around £13,700 to £22,800 a year.

Water bailiffs usually work 37 to 39 hours a week. They usually have to work long and unsocial hours, including evenings and weekends, particularly in the fishing season. Some work part-time or during the fishing season only. Most of their work takes place outdoors in all weather conditions.

A water bailiff should:

• have good practical and communications skills
• be capable of writing reports
• be able to work well alone and as part of a small team
• be physically fit and able to swim
• be interested in rivers and lakes
• enjoy working outdoors.

There are around 600 water bailiffs in the UK. In England and Wales they are employed by The Environment Agency. In Scotland, water bailiffs are employed by District Salmon Fishery Boards.

In England, Wales and Scotland there are no set entry qualifications. Applicants in Northern Ireland need at least five GCSEs (A-C) including English and maths. All applicants must pass a strict medical. Most water bailiffs are mature entrants, rather than school or college leavers. Most have had experience of related work.

Water bailiffs are usually trained on the job. They may study for the qualifications of the Institute of Fisheries Management and, in Scotland, for an SVQ in Fisheries Management at Level 2.

It may be possible to progress to become a team leader, and then a manager. Water bailiffs can also move into related work, such as fish farming.

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