Former Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh is encouraging people to consider careers with the New York State Canal Corporation as the agency looks to recruit workers to help maintain the state’s historic canal system.
Walsh, who was appointed director of the Canal Corporation in February after serving two terms as Syracuse Mayor, appeared in a new recruitment video highlighting the variety of careers available across the 524-mile canal system.
The Canal Corporation is hiring for positions in engineering, operations, maintenance, customer service and seasonal work.
“If you’re looking for a career that’s different from anything else out there, I’d love for you to think about joining our team,” Walsh said.
Walsh also emphasized what he called “canal craft” — the specialized skills developed by employees who operate and maintain the system.
“Around here, we talk about canal craft. It’s the hands-on skills, the problem-solving, the traditions you only pick up by working on the system,” Walsh said. “You really can’t find it anywhere else in New York, or anywhere else, period.”
The Canal Corporation oversees New York’s 524-mile canal system, which includes the Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga-Seneca canals. The network supports recreation, tourism, transportation and local economies across upstate New York.
Walsh said the work helps keep the more than 200-year-old canal system operating for communities, businesses and visitors while preserving the knowledge needed to maintain it for future generations.