UK Ministry of Defence
Navy Command - Vessel Traffic Service Operator
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HMNB Devonport, Plymouth, PL2 2BG
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 for the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine capability, the Submarine Directorate oversees one of the most complex and critical elements of UK defence. Covering everything from in‑service management to long‑term fleet modernisation, the directorate ensures the Submarine Flotilla remains safe, reliable, and ready to meet national security requirements.
You'll be based at HMNB Devonport, the largest naval base in Western Europe and a powerhouse of Royal Navy capability. It is home to amphibious ships, survey squadrons, submarines, and two-thirds of the frigate force. With its unique nuclear refitting facility, Devonport ensures the Fleet remains ready to support operations worldwide.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job Description
Are you ready to take control of a busy, high-profile maritime environment and play a vital role in keeping one of the UK’s most important ports safe and operational?
The King's Harbour Master (KHM) 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 regulates shipping movements and associated activities to facilitate the efficient/effective running of the port. The Vessel Traffic Services Operator’s key tasks are to assist the Vessel Traffic Services Supervisor (VTSS) in the provision of VTS services, to all users of the Dockyard Port of Plymouth including Nuclear Powered Vessels, 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.
What You Will Do:
- 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
- Any administrative task or duty as delegated by VTSM
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Person specification
To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:
- 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:
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
Salary and 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 (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)
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.
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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.
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.
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.
At Sift, you will be assessed against the following;
- Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history and qualification details.
- 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.
At Interview, you will be assessed against the following success profiles:
Behaviours:
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
Further Information:
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.
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
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