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Graduate Trainee Surveyor

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About The Job
Job Summary
Have you recently graduated with a Degree in a marine engineering discipline accredited to achieve Chartered Engineering status?
Are you ready to embark on a bespoke development plan tailored towards your career goals?
If so, we are looking for a Graduate Surveyor to join us at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The MCA implements the government’s maritime safety and environmental protection policies in the United Kingdom, working to prevent the loss of life and occurrence of pollution on the coast and at sea.
Our vision is to be a world-leading organisation, accelerating the transition to sustainable shipping with non-negotiable safety standards. We put our people, our customers, and our planet at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to enabling all our colleagues to have purpose, professionalism, and pride in what they do.
We work in supportive, diverse and inclusive teams. We want everyone to feel valued and supported to achieve their potential at MCA. This culture of inclusion is underpinned by our staff networks groups including, Women’s, Men's, HM Reserves, Neurodiversity, Parental, Positive Supports, LGBTQI+, Race, Carers, Mental Wellbeing, Veterans Network and volunteer Respect Ambassadors.
Job Description
As a Graduate Surveyor, you will complete a structured development training programme to become an MCA Marine Surveyor and gain an understanding of the Government’s Maritime Strategy for ‘Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas’. You will assist MCA Surveyors in maintaining high standards of marine safety, to minimise loss of life amongst seafarers and coastal users and minimise pollution from ships of both the sea and the coastline.
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You will embark on a four-year development Graduate Surveyor Scheme. Your first two years will be spent gaining practical experience of a variety of different MCA tasks in a marine office, alongside theoretical learning about the role of a surveyor and the legal framework in which surveyors work.
Following a successful assessment, you will progress to an HEO Surveyor, where your responsibilities will increase and you will undertake some survey and inspection tasks independently, gaining experience as well as confidence. You will continue to develop your knowledge, learning more about larger vessels. At the end of the four years, you will be expected to progress to SEO Surveyor.
Responsibilities
- Gaining an understanding of MCA survey, inspection, audit and enforcement activities.
- Assisting Subject Matter Experts (SME’s) and Marine Surveyors in maintaining high safety standards.
- Attending Marine Office/HQ Operations Management meetings as required.
- Maintaining accurate and up-to-date personal competence and training records.
- Attending relevant formal courses and modules to develop your skills and understanding.
- Treating all customers and stakeholders with respect and a positive manner.
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications/Licenses
- You must hold a Full UK Driving License.
- Applicants should have completed a Degree in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering within the last 24 months.
- The degrees should be accredited by professional institutions such as RINA or IMarEST, which support progression toward Chartered Engineer (C.Eng) status.


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You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential qualifications/licenses during the recruitment process.
Required Experience
- Relevant work experience or placements with transferable skills to the graduate surveyor role.
- Competence in IT and the ability to use Microsoft Office suite of applications.
- A willingness to learn, develop and follow a development programme supported by mentors.
- Excellent communication and team working skills.
Additional Information
- This role is based at your relevant MCA Marine Office. MCA supports flexible working and operates a hybrid working model between home and office for this role. The expectation is that you will spend a minimum 60% of your working time based at your principal workplace or on official business. Details of the arrangement will be discussed further with your line manager.
- At the time of employment, you must reside within a reasonable commuting distance from an agreed location within the supported geographical area. Successful candidates will be expected to undertake a physical medical.
- There will be a requirement for some travel on official duty within the UK, which may involve overnight stays. Notice will be given in advance.
- This post is offered on a Fixed Term Appointment (FTA) basis for 24 months. For permanent Civil Servants, this role is only available on loan. This is a full-time only role. The role is uniformed, and uniform will be required to be worn at all times when on duty.
- Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
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