Navy Command- Vessel Traffic Services Operator, King's Harbour Master Plymouth

Job summary

Devonport Naval Base is the largest Naval Base in Europe. It is a 650 acre site with 15,000 acres of water space, employing 12,000 people on site. The Base is primarily focused on delivering timely deep maintenance to the UK’s submarine fleet. It is also the operating home base for frigates, amphibious Ships, Royal Marines. It employs more than 10% of Plymouth’s workforce and contributes to 14% of Plymouth’s economy.

Devonport Naval Base is the nerve centre for the Royal Navy in the South West. It supports operations around the globe and provides the ships, submarines, people, and equipment to deliver the UK’s defence policy. Its mission is to meet the support and operating requirements for the Naval Service and UK’s allies, from the South West, reaching worldwide.

The unique opportunities offered within 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 and Armed Forces personnel work together in a wealth of interesting and challenging jobs in different disciplines, from finance; legal services; personnel and HR; project planning, operations and managing contracts, to media and communications.

The MOD provides an excellent opportunity to develop skills through personal development and offers flexible working, excellent annual leave and maternity allowances and a very competitive pension scheme.

In Navy Command we understand the everyday commitments both inside and outside the workplace, so our aim is to provide the flexibility to maintain a great work-life balance. We also offer an impressive range of on-site facilities including a gymnasium, tennis courts and other sporting facilities, a children’s nursery, food outlets and a handy shop.

Job description

The King's Harbour Master (KHM) organisation provides a specialist Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) for the Dockyard Port of Plymouth to oversee the movements and afloat operations/activities within the Port of military, RFA, commercial and recreational vessels.

The Vessel Traffic Services Operator's (VTSO) key tasks are to assist the Vessel Traffic Services Supervisor (VTSS) in the provision of VTS services, to co-ordinate sonar transmissions and diving operations for vessels berthed alongside the Naval Base and to provide communication and message handling support.

The successful candidate must be prepared to undertake and pass the IALA C0103-1 qualification at an external marine college in South Shields for 2 to 5 weeks dependent on maritime qualifications held and obtain VHF GMDSS Restricted Operators Certificate (unless C0103-1 or GMDSS ROC already obtained).

The successful candidate once qualified will be expected to work 12 hour shifts, 0630-1830 or 1830-0630, on a continuous roster pattern of 2 days, 2 night, 4 rest days at FLAG and LONGROOM Port Control Stations. Whilst working at Flag, the position may be required to lone work.

Due to the unique role of VTS anyone interested in applying is encouraged to arrange a visit to one of the Port Control Stations by emailing the vacancy contact (details below).

• Provide a Vessel Traffic Service to aid the safe, expeditious movement of Military/Commercial Vessels within the Port of Plymouth.
• Use VTS IT Technology (including Radar displays)
• Co-ordinate Sonar/Diving Operations within HM Naval Base.
• Maintain live documentation and react to port incidents as required.
• Liaise with local authorities, Coastguard, Emergency services, Local Harbour Authorities, Government Agencies and Shipping Agents as required.
• Liaise with other Naval Base departments , Babcock and SERCO.
• Provide general assistance to enquiries from members of the public via VHF and telephone
• Be prepared to undertake afloat tasks subject to appropriate training

Person specification

The successful candidate must have the ability to:-
• record detail quickly and accurately
• have good spatial awareness
• work at pace and under pressure
• possess good interpersonal skills
• maintain a calm professional approach whilst providing VTS directions or responding to an incident on a vessel, the water or alongside.
• maintain a high ethos for safety
• work well in a team and alone

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £27,866, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,072 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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 and Experience.

Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability. (750 Words)

At sift, you will be assessed against your statement of suitability and the following behaviours:

• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

At interview Experience related to the role will be assessed.

At interview, you will be assessed against Experience the following Behaviours:

• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Sift will take place at HMNB Devonport.

Interviews will be held face to face at HMNB Devonport. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

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: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .

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.

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.

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.

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

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 : Tim Faull
• Email : tim.faull575@mod.gov.uk
• Telephone : 07970243629

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam3@mod.gov.uk

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: info@csc.gov.uk.

Attachments

20260408-Candidate Application Guide- Navy Opens in new window (pdf, 1513kB)EXTERNAL PACK Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)Terms and Conditions of Service Opens in new window (docx, 24kB)20260128-Submarines Directorate Candidate Pack-O Opens in new window (pdf, 7165kB)