Navy Command - Admiralty Pilot - Limited Ships (Trainee Pilot) HMNB Portsmouth

Job summary

At Navy Command, we lead, support, and sustain the Royal Navy across every theatre of operations. We coordinate the people, platforms, and missions that keep the Fleet ready for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. Together, we uphold centuries of naval tradition while driving innovation that ensures the Royal Navy’s readiness to protect our nation and secure our future.

As the authority responsible for generating the Royal Navy’s operational capability, Director Force Generation ensures ships, submarines, aviation, commando forces, and supporting elements achieve the required levels of readiness. By balancing capability, risk, and operational demand, the directorate provides assured force output and acts as the Fleet’s scheduling authority, ensuring the Royal Navy can deliver whenever and wherever required.

You'll be based at HMNB Portsmouth, one of the oldest and busiest naval bases in the world. It is home to the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers (HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales) alongside destroyers, frigates, and specialist squadrons. As a vibrant hub of maritime power and innovation, Portsmouth sustains the Fleet and supports thousands of personnel.

Job description

The primary purpose of the King’s Harbour Master (KHM) Portsmouth Department is to protect the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth, comprising Portsmouth Harbour and 55 square miles of the eastern Solent, as required by the Dockyard Ports Regulation Act 1865 and the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth Order 2005. This requires the operation of a navigational Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS) in accordance with the Defence Maritime Regulations DMR-DSA02 Regs and the Port Marine Safety Code together with the delivery of the operational objectives defined in the Naval Base Management Plan. As part of the delivery of operational outputs, KHM provides an Admiralty Pilotage service.

Admiralty pilots are part of the KHM organization and are employed to enable KHM to discharge his statutory duties to ensure the safe movement of vessels within the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth.

Responsibilities:

Admiralty pilots are accountable to the KHM through the Chief Admiralty Pilot (CAP) for the conduct of their duties. Their key responsibilities are:

1. To provide pilotage support and advice to Commanding Officers and Masters of designated ships within the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth in accordance with approved safety procedures, Statutory Instruments and local regulations where appropriate so that a safe and efficient conclusion to their entry, departure or transit of the district is achieved. This service may range from advice to full conduct of the move.
2. To assume full responsibility for the safety and navigation of any HM Ships or other vessels being moved without power as directed by KHM.
3. To assume full responsibility for the safety and navigation of other vessels (including “dead” ships and unpowered barges) as directed by KHM.
4. When assigned to a pilotage task, APs are authorised to:
5. Provide pilotage support to ships in accordance with their licence.
6. Take action as they consider necessary to ensure the safe and efficient execution of their duties.
7. Liaise with tug masters as necessary to give detailed briefings on deployment of tugs assigned in support of their task.
8. Liaise with the master rigger to ensure all requirements for a move are understood by all parties.
9. To adjust magnetic compasses fitted to MOD owned craft in accordance with the relevant MOD standard when trained.
10. Conduct administrative and other tasks as directed by CAP and KHM to support pilotage and other marine activity in the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth.
11. Deputise for CAP when directed.
12. Be available for pilotage tasking and training in accordance with the published Pilot Roster and at other times as agreed with CAP or KHM.
13. Assist with training new pilots as directed by CAP or KHM.
14. Undergo initial and continuation training in accordance with the Admiralty Pilot training scheme.
15. Provide pilotage advice and waterway expertise to assist the VTS Supervisor as required.

Additional Information:

The successful applicant will be required to follow and successfully complete the admiralty pilot training scheme. This will require you to observe and conduct acts of pilotage with a qualified admiralty pilot. You will also undertake tug familiarisation training. During the training period you will be required to record training and experiences. You will also be expected to successfully complete two examinations before gaining your ‘Limited Ships’ pilot licence and will be licenced to pilot vessels up to 140m length overall or up to 7.2m draught. This stage normally takes around 12-18 months to complete.

Initially, the candidate will be expected to mainly work standard working hours from Monday to Friday but must be prepared to adjust this to make the most of available training opportunities, in particular to achieve night movements. Once qualified to Limited Ships, you will be expected to work within a roster system which provides pilotage support 24/7, 365 days in a year, to a maximum of 2400 hours per annum. Out of hours, weekends and public holidays working are routinely required. This will also include periods of being ‘on call’ during which time you will be required to respond within 1.5 hours. Therefore, candidate would need to hold a UK full driving licence.

Promotion to All Ships Admiralty Pilot (Unlimited) is subject to the availability of a vacant All Ships Pilot slot, completing sufficient moves of larger / unusual vessels and pass the practical assessments to a satisfactory standard. This is highly dependent on the availability of such moves and normally takes around three to four years to achieve from commencement of training.

In addition to the pilotage training, you also need to complete MOD civilians mandatory training as per the schedule.

All qualified APs are paid pilotage fees per act of pilotage. These vary according to size of ship and historically, Portsmouth APs receive around £5000 per pilot per year. This payment is non-pensionable. A Market Skills Allowance of £12000 per year is currently paid to Queen Elizabeth Class Carrier endorsed Portsmouth Admiralty Pilots (APs) and qualified Portsmouth APs training towards endorsement. This payment is non-pensionable and subject to periodic review.

Admiralty Pilots are expected to wear uniform, which will be provided. High quality Personal Protective Equipment is also provided.

If you experience any technical difficulties with the CS Jobs system, please contact the Support Team via the Help link.

Person specification

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and suitably qualified commercial or military mariner to join a dynamic team in a role with pan defence maritime responsibilities based within HMNB Portsmouth.

The successful candidate must be/have:

• A Highly motivated team player who is able to thrive in a safety critical environment and work flexibility as part of a 24/7 operations team.
• Strong communication skills, being able to communicate with a wide range of people including senior civil servants and military officers both within Navy Command and across the MOD.
• Able to lead, create and engage others in delivery of a shared vision.
• An ability to make clear and confident decisions - in time-sensitive situations while remaining calm and focussed.
• Able to deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking into account our diverse customer needs.
• Able to take responsibility for delivery of timely and quality results with focus and drive.
• Experience of using Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and SharePoint.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the Ports and Marine Facilities Safety Code, National Occupational Standards for Marine Pilots and the Kings Harbour Master Portsmouth’s Admiralty Pilotage Directions.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the interface between commercial maritime organisations and Ministry of Defence works.
• Significant sailing experience onboard ship as a senior navigating officer including extensive ship and tug handling experience or previous experience as an authorised marine pilot.
• Medically fully fit to seafarer ENG1 medical standard to perform pilotage tasks during day/night and unfavourable environmental conditions.
• Knowledge of Dockyard Port of Portsmouth and water ways of the Solent area is highly desirable but not essential.

The role is Portsmouth based, but there may be occasional requirements to travel to other locations in the UK, and even overseas. Therefore, the successful candidate must hold or be willing to obtain a valid UK passport.

If you have the skills, passion, and dedication to play a vital role in one of the UK’s most strategically important military and commercial maritime environments, this could be the role for you.

Licences

Valid UK Full Driving Licence.

Evidence of qualification/Licence/Membership will be required at interview.

All qualifications/licences/memberships declared must be held at point of application and if applicable be in date. Equivalent Qualifications will not be accepted.

Qualifications

1. STCW 95 II/2 Masters (Unlimited) Certificate of Competency Or,
2. RN CQ2 with Command or Senior Deck Officer Experience Or,
3. STCW 95 (II/2 or II/3) Master CoC with STCW II/2 Chief Mate (Unlimited) CoC with command and extensive ship / tug handling experience.

All Applicants will also have an ENG1 medical certificate.

Evidence of qualification/Licence/Membership will be required at interview.

All qualifications/licences/memberships declared must be held at point of application and if applicable be in date. Equivalent Qualifications will not be accepted.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

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

• AP 1: Specific Knowledge

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £52,453, Ministry of Defence contributes £15,195 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Market-leading employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Personal & professional development
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to a confidential, professional support service
• Discount schemes
• Bicycle / season-ticket loans
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Special paid leave to volunteer (up to 6 days a year)

HMNB Portsmouth combines strong community spirit with convenient facilities. Enjoy on‑site parking, a shuttle service between HMS Excellent and the Naval Base, and the chance to join the HMS Excellent Wardroom. Stay active with a free fitness suite and unwind at the on‑site bistro or hairdresser. Nursery provision and access to places of worship ensure a supportive and inclusive environment.

In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you’ll be supported through your learning journey and your career. This can include working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.

You’ll have access to a variety of qualifications pathways ranging from GCSE/A-Level equivalent all the way up to master’s degree, depending on your role, your previous skills and your experience. Some qualifications even include “on-the-job” training which means minimal disruption to your working day but maximum impact.

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.

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

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

As part of Defence Reform, Navy Command continues to review and evolve its Target Operating Model to support more agile ways of working. In this context, the role and responsibilities of this role may develop over time to reflect changing business priorities and opportunities.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. You will be assessed at Senior Executive Officer Grade.

At Sift, you will be assessed against the followings:

• Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history, qualification details and previous skills and experience.
• Candidates will be required to provide a personal statement. This should be a maximum of 500 words that sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills and experience meet the essential requirements for the role.

And the following behaviour:

• Making effective decisions

In the event of a high volume of applications, only the lead Success Profile will be assessed at sift. The Lead Success Profile for this campaign is 'Making Effective Decisions'.

At Interview, you will be assessed against the following;

Behaviours:

• Making effective decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

And a selection of competency base questions to asses your experience/technical skills about the role. We will assess you against AP1 - Specialist Knowledge.

Applicants are expected to provide evidence of relevant experience and must be able to demonstrate significant ship handling knowledge, including an awareness of all major modern tug types.

Candidate would need to provide a copy of their Certificate of Competency, Driving Licence and ENG1 Medical fitness certificate at the interview.

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.

There may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all DCS candidates that meet the minimum criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations such as a high volume of applications, seasonal demand, or peak periods, the employer may wish to limit the overall number of interviews offered to both DCS and non-DCS applicants.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into 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.

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.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

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 Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) 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

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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

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 :

• Name : Kamrul Hasan
• Email : Kamrul.Hasan105@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam1@mod.gov.uk

Further information

Applicants should monitor their Civil Service Jobs application centre regularly for updates.
All broader banded (Band AA – G6) and skill zone employees joining MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a 6-month probation period effective from the employment start date.
Any move to Ministry of Defence 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/
Complaints
Please be aware that the selection and interviewing of applicants is the responsibility of the Recruiting Line Manager (RLM) and not the Defence Business Services (DBS) Resourcing team. DBS does not play any part in the selection and interview process itself.
Therefore, if you wish to discuss your feedback, or you are dissatisfied with your markings, you should in the first instance raise this with the Recruiting Line Manager of the vacancy.
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, using the following options:

Emailing the DBS Complaints Team: dbs-complaints@mod.gov.uk

Calling the DBS Enquiry Centre: 0800 345 7772

We recommend using the above channels to raise all complaints relating to the level of service provided to you by DBS.
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: info@csc.gov.uk

Cabinet Office Fraud Checks
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant whose details are found to be held on the IFD will be refused employment.
If you need to contact Defense Business Services (DBS) regarding this vacancy, please indicate that your vacancy is being handled by Resourcing Team 1.

If you experience any technical difficulties with the CS Jobs system, please contact the Support Team at candidate@support.oleeo.com

Please see the MOD Privacy Policy Notice which informs how we will use your personal data, explains your rights and gives you information you are entitled to under Data Protection legislation.
Optima Health conducts pre-employment health assessments on behalf of the MOD and may contact you in respect of your application on the contact details you provide, should an offer of employment be made. Optima Health’s Privacy notice describes how your personal data may be processed for those purposes.
To find out a bit more about what it’s like working for MOD, visit the Civil Service Careers Website
Civil Service Careers – Working for MOD

Attachments

Maritime Specialist Functional Competency Framework-AP1 Opens in new window (docx, 19kB)Navy Candidate Attraction Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 7954kB)Navy Candidate Information Guide Opens in new window (pdf, 1513kB)Ministry of Defence – Revised Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) Opens in new window (pdf, 298kB)