DE&S ROV Supervisor

Ministry of Defence

HMNB Devonport, Plymouth PL2 2BG, UK

Hybrid

Expires: Expiring in less than 3 weeks

Engineering

Flexible

£70,300 per year

Job summary

At Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), we supply and maintain vital equipment and services for the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force. Together, we deliver a vast range of essential defence programmes and strive for what's next. Because it helps keep our military at the top of their game and our nation safe – for today, and tomorrow.

We offer 26.5+ days’ holiday, flexible and hybrid working, enhanced parental leave schemes, shopping discounts, and an exceptional employer pension contribution of around 28.97%, to help work work for you.

Nationality, visas, and vetting: For security reasons this role is open to sole UK nationals only. A ‘sole UK national’ refers to an individual who holds citizenship solely in the UK, without dual citizenship or nationality from another country. We’re unable to offer visa sponsorship.

Join with SC clearance and can obtain DV once in post: This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 10 years and obtain Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you have been recruited for. If it isn’t obtained or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining DV security clearance can be a lengthy process. You’ll join us once Security Check (SC) clearance is obtained, and then the more enhanced DV checks will continue after you’ve started your employment. If SC clearance isn’t obtained within 12 months, we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made.

Job description

Ready to dive into a career like no other? If you're driven by innovation, thrive in high-stake environments, and inspired by the idea of working with cutting-edge subsea technology, then this is your moment. The ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) team within the Ministry of Defence’s SALMO (Salvage and Marine Operations) unit is on the lookout for a passionate and skilled ROV Supervisor to lead operations at the forefront of underwater engineering and marine recovery.

Why join SALMO? SALMO is the MOD’s centre of excellence for marine salvage and emergency response. Our multidisciplinary team, ranging from Master Mariners and Naval Architects to Environmental Scientists and Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV) /Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) Operators, delivers critical support to UK Defence operations around the globe. Whether it's locating downed aircraft on the seabed, surveying wrecks, towing warships, or conducting emergency response drills, our work is as varied as it is vital.

As the ROV Supervisor, you’ll be at the helm of a highly skilled team, overseeing the safe and effective delivery of deep-water salvage missions using state-of-the-art commercial ROV systems, offering a unique leadership opportunity that blends technical oversight with operational command.

You’ll manage a small, close-knit team, including pilot technicians, surveyors, and maintainers, both offshore and onshore, and report directly to the ROV Superintendent. Your leadership will be instrumental in ensuring mission success in some of the most challenging and rewarding environments imaginable.

The role offers a good work life balance, only deploying at sea for a maximum of 120 days per year with the remaining time taken against leave, training, and office-based activity at HMNB Devonport.

What’s in it for you? This is more than just a job; it’s a chance to make a real impact. The role is operationally critical and comes with additional allowances under SALMO Terms and Conditions, reflecting the importance and intensity of the work you’ll be doing.

What you’ll be doing

Deploy afloat to deliver the in-service operation of the ROV system and work offshore for up to 120 days per year
Lead and manage the ROV operational team whether deployed or at base
Support the ROV Superintendent in planning routine and reactive deployments
Ensure all ROV maintenance is carried out in accordance with the planned maintenance system and defects are reported in a timely manner
Create and update routine and emergency procedures for use with the SALMO ROV systems
Ensure the SALMO ROV capability is operated in line with industry best practice
Manage all deployments in a the safe and environmentally sound manner, being responsible for Operating Safely, adhering to the deployment Safety Management Plan and any platform interface responsibilities

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

Lead Criterion – Have experience of providing technical advice at a senior level and leading the delivery of successful engineering outcomes in multidisciplinary projects
Have a wide-ranging depth and breadth of technical experience in subsea activities or marine operations
Experience managing complex /challenging work with evidence of technical problem-solving and risk management

AND

Hold (as minimum) either:

STCW (1) Master (Unlimited) or STCW (1) Chief Engineer (Unlimited)

A relevant Professional body/institution, be professionally registered as either:

o Chartered Master Mariner (CMMar); or

o Chartered Engineer (CEng); or

o Chartered Marine Engineering (CMarEng); or

o Chartered Scientist (CSci); or

o Chartered Marine Scientist (CMarSci); or

o Chartered Marine Technician (CMarTech); or

o Chartered Geographer (CGeog).

An Engineering, Science, Technical, Technology or Marine based qualification at RQF Level 4

AND EITHER:

o IMCA accredited ROV Supervisor (R/RO2) Certification or ROV Superintendent Certification / AUV Senior Survey Engineer, with at least 360 days of documented offshore experience and a minimum of 100 hours piloting an ROV or AUV at Grade I level

o IMCA accredited Superintendent with work class vehicles, with at least 180 days of logbook demonstrated offshore experience.

And

Be a Sole UK National; and
Full UK Driving Licence; and
Be able to satisfy requirements of:

o 2-Yearly ENG1 Seafarers Medical (2)

o Be enlisted as a Royal Navy Sponsored Reserve (2)

(1) STCW = International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.

(2) For recruitment purposes, external candidates do not need to hold these (including no prior commercial diving experience) but must have no known reasons not to achieve this within 6 months of employment.

Note: Alternatives to RQF listed above (which cover England, Wales, and Northern Ireland only), is the Scottish SCQF or international equivalent qualification backed up by a statement of comparability from UK ENIC.

This role is subject to Retained Grade Terms and Conditions and differ from the DE&S standard Terms and Conditions.

For SALMO Retained Grade seeking promotion, please refer to Part 2, Section 10.2 of the SALMO Retained Grade Handbook.

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

Core Behaviour 1: Leadership – CSBC4
Core Behaviour 2: Making Effective Decisions – CSBC4
Technical Competence 1: ECF_01 – Suitable Systems and Systems Thinking - Practitioner
Technical Competence 2: ECF_03 - Supportable Technical Solutions - Practitioner

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £70,300, Ministry of Defence contributes £20,365 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Full time staff employed for less than 5 years are entitled to 26.5 days’ annual leave per year, rising to 31.5 days per year after 5 years of service
Flexible and hybrid working options
Market-leading employer pension contribution of around 28.97%
Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
Access to specialist training and funded professional qualifications
Support for progression
Huge range of discounts
Volunteering days
Enhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So, whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of - and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

Further Information

Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack
SALMO Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/SALMO-Terms-and-Conditions

Any personal data that you provide during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice which can be accessed here.

Disability Confident:

Please note as a Disability Confident Leader we want to ensure you receive any reasonable adjustments that you need throughout the recruitment process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments, you can let us know on your online application under the section ‘Please indicate and give details of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the recruitment process.’

Conflicts of Interest:

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

Please Note: In the event of a tied score at interview, the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on the ranking of the assessed behaviours and competencies below:

1st: Core Behaviour 1
2nd: Core Behaviour 2
3rd: Technical Competencies
4th: CV Review

In the event of a further tie using the method above, we reserve the right to use the Lead criterion, and/or and additional assessment.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

Pre-sift - We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
Sift - Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills. Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.
Interview - If you're invited to interview, you'll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert.

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact department via email:DESHR-WSC-PMOCOMPLAINTS@mod.gov.uk

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission:Recruitment Complaints - Civil Service Commission

Reserve Lists

Where a competition identifies more appointable candidates than there are available vacancies, a Reserve List may be created for other similar roles in the Civil Service. This may be used for up to 12 months to fill the same role or other similar roles with closely matching essential criteria without further testing of merit.

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

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.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

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.

Diversity and Inclusion

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

Apply and further information

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Contact point for applicants

Salary range

£70,300 per year