Navy Command King's Harbour Master Portsmouth Harbour Control Operator

UK Ministry of Defence


Date: 2 weeks ago
City: Portsmouth
Contract type: Part time
King's Harbour Master, HM Naval Base Portsmouth

Job Summary

His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth (HMNBP) has been an integral part of the city since 1194. It is home to almost two-thirds of the Royal Navy's surface ships, including the new aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth; HMS Prince of Wales; the formidable Type 45 destroyers; Type 23 frigates; and mine countermeasures and fishery protection squadrons.

The base is a major employer and provides lodging facilities to RN personnel serving at the base and in Portsmouth based ships.

HMNBP is one of three naval bases providing enabling support as part of the nation’s defence strategy. In doing so, HMNBP seeks to improve through science and technology to strengthen its security and defence at home and overseas. This requires continuous improvements in building capacity, capability and resilience through its people. It is the home base for assigned ships and ship’s companies preparing for operations. A key component of achieving this support is the ability to deliver the full range of increasingly sophisticated engineering support services. The unique employment opportunities offered are varied, challenging and exciting and support Navy Command’s role to generate and operate forces for today and to ensure we are ready for tomorrow by developing and delivering the Navy of the future. Navy Command provides an open, flexible and supportive work environment and Civil Servants, Contractors and Armed Forces personnel work together in a wealth of interesting and challenging jobs in different disciplines.

In Navy Command, our civil servants work alongside their military colleagues in jobs that matter; jobs which often have a direct impact on the quality of the operational capabilities we deliver.

Roles can offer great job satisfaction and there are many opportunities to develop and progress both within the Department and across the wider Civil Service.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description

The King’s Harbour Master (KHM) Portsmouth is the de facto authority for the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth, responsible for the safe and effective operation of the port primarily for the benefit of the Ministry of Defence. The port also has a wide range of commercial and recreational water users, and KHM has a duty to ensure safety for all users. In accordance with published MOD policy, KHM complies with the provisions of the Department of Transport’s Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC), and this guides the rules, regulations and safety guidance maintained by KHM.

KHM provides Vessel Traffic Services for the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth to oversee movements and afloat operations/activities within the port. The Vessel Traffic Services Operators (VTSO) stand watches organising and communicating the dynamic traffic plan to all shipping. The VTSO is responsible to the Vessel Traffic Services Supervisor (VTSS) for the minute by minute management of the port’s traffic plan.

Key Responsibilities:

To assist the VTSS in regulating the movement of shipping in the harbour, so as to achieve safe and effective flow of traffic.

To monitor all movement of vessels using the harbour.

Record and report in accordance with local orders the arrival and departure of commercial and Naval shipping.

To maintain a visual lookout over the harbour, using fitted Close Circuit Television systems as necessary.

Under the supervision of the VTSS use the Harbour Control radar and video systems to carry out the following tasks:

Assisting vessels to anchorages and berths in fog or low visibility, advising vessels of their exact positions and position of other vessels underway at the same time.

Acquiring radar contacts, determining courses made good, speeds made good, positions, closest point of approach and collision courses.

Monitoring the positions of navigational buoys.

Operation of video recording equipment to record developing navigational situations that are likely to be of interest to KHM.

To have a thorough knowledge of General Directions, Local Notices to Mariners, Radio, Navigation Warnings, Naval Base Regulations and KHM’s orders.

To be familiar with the principal navigational features of the Dockyard Port, record and report all defects to navigational aids in accordance with KHM’s Orders.

Maintain watch on International Maritime Mobile Very High Frequency channels as appropriate.

Maintain the appropriate records in accordance with KHM orders. These include recording all matters of significance and starting a narrative record of all maritime incidents.

Monitor the execution of movements from the Daily Movements Signal, granting the necessary permission required by local orders under the direction of the VTSS and liaising as necessary over any changes.

Liaise with the appropriate local authorities in accordance with KHM’s Orders in response to maritime incidents in the harbour.

Operate the High Grade Message System to allow the transmission and receipt of signal messages and distribute signals to departmental officers as appropriate.

Keeping publications held in Harbour Control up to date.

Inform the Ministry of Defence Police of any suspected infringements of the Dockyard Port Orders.

The King’s Harbour Master (KHM) Portsmouth is the de facto authority for the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth, responsible for the safe and effective operation of the port primarily for the benefit of the Ministry of Defence. The port also has a wide range of commercial and recreational water users, and KHM has a duty to ensure safety for all users. In accordance with published MOD policy, KHM complies with the provisions of the Department of Transport’s Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC), and this guides the rules, regulations and safety guidance maintained by KHM.

KHM provides Vessel Traffic Services for the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth to oversee movements and afloat operations/activities within the port. The Vessel Traffic Services Operators (VTSO) stand watches organising and communicating the dynamic traffic plan to all shipping. The VTSO is responsible to the Vessel Traffic Services Supervisor (VTSS) for the minute by minute management of the port’s traffic plan.

Key Responsibilities:

To assist the VTSS in regulating the movement of shipping in the harbour, so as to achieve safe and effective flow of traffic.

To monitor all movement of vessels using the harbour.

Record and report in accordance with local orders the arrival and departure of commercial and Naval shipping.

To maintain a visual lookout over the harbour, using fitted Close Circuit Television systems as necessary.

Under the supervision of the VTSS use the Harbour Control radar and video systems to carry out the following tasks:

Assisting vessels to anchorages and berths in fog or low visibility, advising vessels of their exact positions and position of other vessels underway at the same time.

Acquiring radar contacts, determining courses made good, speeds made good, positions, closest point of approach and collision courses.

Monitoring the positions of navigational buoys.

Operation of video recording equipment to record developing navigational situations that are likely to be of interest to KHM.

To have a thorough knowledge of General Directions, Local Notices to Mariners, Radio, Navigation Warnings, Naval Base Regulations and KHM’s orders.

To be familiar with the principal navigational features of the Dockyard Port, record and report all defects to navigational aids in accordance with KHM’s Orders.

Maintain watch on International Maritime Mobile Very High Frequency channels as appropriate.

Maintain the appropriate records in accordance with KHM orders. These include recording all matters of significance and starting a narrative record of all maritime incidents.

Monitor the execution of movements from the Daily Movements Signal, granting the necessary permission required by local orders under the direction of the VTSS and liaising as necessary over any changes.

Liaise with the appropriate local authorities in accordance with KHM’s Orders in response to maritime incidents in the harbour.

Operate the High Grade Message System to allow the transmission and receipt of signal messages and distribute signals to departmental officers as appropriate.

Keeping publications held in Harbour Control up to date.

Inform the Ministry of Defence Police of any suspected infringements of the Dockyard Port Orders.

Person specification

Candidates should have good organisational and time management skills. The successful applicant will be required to proactively contribute to the work of the team, building supportive relationships. You will be expected to plan, organise and manage your own time to deliver a high-quality service, keeping customers and colleagues up to date with progress.

It is essential that candidates have Nautical Knowledge of general marine operations and it would be advantageous for them to have knowledge of marine operations in the Solent and Portsmouth areas.

Qualifications

A baseline of educational qualifications is required to ensure the job holder is able to cope with the intellectual demands of the job. A good standard of written English is essential to be able to communicate effectively by spoken and written word and Maths is a prerequisite for the candidate to be able to pass the extensive operational navigational training required as part of the job. As such candidates must hold at least GCSE Grade C or above in English and Maths or recognised equivalents. A candidate who has held or holds marine deck officer or Boatmaster qualifications or VTS qualifications but does not hold GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent) would be considered.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Leadership

Alongside your salary of £26,235, Ministry of Defence contributes £7,600 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

As a civil servant in Navy Command, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects, and a job that makes a difference.

Navy Command prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.

In HMNBP, we promote the 70:20:10 model[1]. We understand learning can take different forms including on the job practice, learning from others, networking as well as studying for courses. All staff are encouraged to take ownership of their development and take proactive steps to shape your own learning and development. This includes identifying learning needs, deciding the best way to meet these needs, undertaking learning and reflecting.

We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.

An apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through an apprenticeship you will gain professional knowledge, practical experience, and the broader skills required to upskill you in your current role and pave the way for your future career. Most of the training will be ‘on-the-job’, with the remaining ‘off-the-job’ training often delivered by a training provider. This means minimal disruption and maximum impact.

Professional qualifications can be achieved through an apprenticeship and range from Level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs), Level 3 (equivalent to 2 A Levels), and Levels 4 -7, which can give you a foundation degree, a full Bachelor’s degree, or a Master’s degree.

Apprenticeships normally last between 12 months - 3 years, depending on the level of the apprenticeship.

Anyone can undertake an Apprenticeship and everyone, regardless of age, can benefit from developing their skills in an accredited way.

Successful candidates can discuss their development options with their manager when in post.

We Also Provide First Rate Benefits For All Our Employees As We Understand The Commitments Our Staff Have, Both Inside And Outside Of The Workplace And Our Aim Is To Provide a Place Of Work Which Allows The Flexibility To Maintain a Work-life Balance. These Include:

  • In addition to your salary is the potential for in-year performance and recognition awards
  • A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
  • Personal & professional development
  • Access to a confidential, professional support service
  • 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
  • Alternative working patterns for many roles
  • Discount schemes
  • Bicycle / season ticket loans
  • Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
  • Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year
  • On-site facilities (gymnasium, various cafés, shops, post office, mess facilities etc)

[1] 20200522-Routes to learning 2020_May.pdf (sharepoint.com)

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

An anonymous CV is also required.

Your suitability for the role will be assessed using the Success Profile elements that have been chosen for this campaign. Each element will be scored accordingly.

We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of gender and ethnic group. Appointment will be based on merit alone.

Behaviour evidence should be focused on marine operations.

Candidates will be assessed against the following Behaviours at both Application and Interview-

Communicating and Influencing

Delivering at Pace

Making Effective Decisions

Managing a Quality Service

Leadership

When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: [email protected] .

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact :

Recruitment team

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: [email protected].

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