Summary

We welcome applications from all communities and we don’t discriminate against any identity. We’re interested to hear from you, regardless of your background.

Are you an efficient communicator who can stay calm and professional in a pressurised environment?

Would you like to join a team that makes a difference with every call?

Can you help us provide a vital service to the public and seafarers when they need it most?

We need dedicated and dynamic people to join us here at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and we'd love to hear from you.

Job description

You will play an integral role in coordinating emergency responses to incidents relating to Coastguard missions, gathering and analysing information to inform operational plans and enable delivery. You will also provide essential maritime safety advice to the mariner, coastal users and our partner organisations.

This is a challenging but rewarding role that requires resilience and working calmly under pressure, sometimes in stressful and emotional situations.

Want to know more? Watch this video to find out what our Maritime Operations Officers have to say about working with the MCA -


 

Responsibilities

Your duties will include:

• answering emergency calls (including 999) - bringing together information, participating in analysis and planning, managing and directing incident response and resources, providing support to partner organisations, and advising and informing others involved in an incident
• receiving, assessing and responding to reports concerning wrecks and debris (flotsam, jetsam, lagan and fishes royal)
• assisting in the preparedness and response to major emergencies through the maintenance and verification of appropriate records, databases and plans
• receiving alerts and related information regarding Maritime Security, assessing the information and passing it to the most appropriate authority while updating databases
• providing maritime safety information, safety advice and maritime information, such as tides and weather, navigational risks, safety advice and procedures

We provide a 24/7 emergency service provision, so you will work within a rotating shift system. When on shift, you will be operating alone as the single operator responsible for the tidal River Thames from Teddington Lock to Holehaven near Canvey Island.

Important note

We have positions ready to fill at our centres in Fareham and Lerwick. If you are successful at interview for your preferred location and there are no positions available you will be placed on a merit list for 12 months and may be offered a position if one becomes available.

About you

You are resilient, reliable and able to work calmly in a busy operational environment. You can use your initiative and professional judgement to achieve the best outcomes in difficult situations.

You have excellent communication skills, with a professional telephone manner and the ability to listen and question well. You are well-organised, with good administration skills, and strong attention to detail.

We are looking to recruit people who want to develop and grow with us, and in return we can offer a full training programme and ongoing support to enable you to become the very best in Maritime Operations.

About us





The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) implements the government's maritime safety policy in the United Kingdom and works to prevent the loss of life and occurrence of pollution on the coast and at sea.

Safer lives, Safer ships, Cleaner seas.

Our vision is to be the best maritime safety organisation in the world.

Find out what it's like to work at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency

We are part of the Department for Transport (DfT). DfT is a great place to work, and our ‘one team’ approach really makes a difference. We value our staff and that’s why we’re committed to nurturing an inclusive environment across the Department.

You’ll be part of an innovative organisation that invests in all our people, ensuring we have the diverse skills to deliver transport that moves Britain ahead now and into the future.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.

Allowances

Allowances total £5,000 (Night working - £2,000, Rotating shift - £2,000,
Public holidays & weekend working - £1,000, London Weighting - £4,000). These are pro-rata for part time.

Things you need to know Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability and Experience.

We are closely monitoring the situation regarding the coronavirus, and will be following central Government advice as it is issued. There is therefore a risk that recruitment to this post may be subject to change at short notice. In addition, where appropriate, you may be invited to attend a video interview.

Please continue to follow the application process as normal and ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

Please tailor your CV and statement of suitability to showcase your previous experience. Your statement of suitability should demonstrate your competence, experience and what you feel you would bring to the role of Maritime Operations Officer.

After submission of your application you will be invited to complete a (Verbal Reasoning & Numerical Reasoning test.
Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 11th October. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.


The sift is due to take place w/c 12th October 2020.

Interview/assessment will be held w/c 26th October and 2nd November 2020.

This interview could be conducted via a video interview, details of which will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:
• an interview and one or more exercises (such as a written assessment or assessments that test your abilities)

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. For further information on Success Profiles please click here

Your interview may consist of a range of question types. These may include questions about:
• what energises and motivates you
• how you would manage situations relevant to the role
• your previous experience
• your professional skills and knowledge

You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.

Further Information

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

We have adopted anonymised recruitment. This means that your name, date of birth and other personal details will not be seen by the sift panel.

We may hold a reserve list for up to twelve months. During this time, if a similar role is identified and you have been placed on the reserve list you may be considered for the post. Within the reserve list period, your application form and selection information may be shared across the department and its agencies.

Operational Delivery Profession (ODP) is the largest and most diverse professional community across the Civil Service. Many of us will have an association with several professional communities or specialisms, ODP applies to all public facing roles / or a role that is primarily aligned to supporting the work of those with public facing roles. All critical to the delivery of UK public services’.

Please see attached candidate notes for further information about our recruitment process.

We welcome applications from every part of the community and we don’t discriminate against any gender identity. We’re especially interested to hear from underrepresented groups in the DfT such as gender diverse, BAME, LGBT+ and disabled candidates.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

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’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Reasonable adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Any move to the Department For Transport will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.

You will however have access to the governments Tax Free Childcare scheme.

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

Nationality requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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.

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.