King's Harbour Master, HM Naval Base Portsmouth
Job Summary
His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth (HMNBP) has been an integral part of the city since 1194. It is home to almost two-thirds of the Royal Navy's surface ships, including the new aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth; HMS Prince of Wales; the formidable Type 45 destroyers; Type 23 frigates; and mine countermeasures and fishery protection squadrons.
The Base is a major employer and provides lodging facilities to RN personnel serving at the base and in Portsmouth based ships.
HMNBP is one of three naval bases providing enabling support as part of the nation’s defence strategy. In doing so, HMNBP seeks to improve through science and technology, to strengthen its security and defence at home and overseas. This requires continuous improvements in building capacity, capability and resilience through its people. It is the home base for assigned ships and ship’s companies preparing for operations. A key component of achieving this support is the ability to deliver the full range of increasingly sophisticated engineering support services. The unique employment opportunities offered 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, Contractors and Armed Forces personnel work together in a wealth of interesting and challenging jobs in different disciplines.
In Navy Command, our civil servants work alongside their military colleagues in jobs that matter; jobs which often have a direct impact on the quality of the operational capabilities we deliver.
Roles can offer great job satisfaction and there are many opportunities to develop and progress both within the Department and across the wider Civil Service.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job Description
The King’s Harbour Master (KHM) Portsmouth is the de facto authority for the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth, responsible for the safe and effective operation of the port primarily for the benefit of the Ministry of Defence. KHM provides a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) for the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth to oversee shipping movements and afloat operations/activities within the port.
The Vessel Traffic Service Operator (VTSO) works in a shift pattern, at 37 hours per week, and is responsible to the VTS Supervisor for the communication and execution of management of the port’s traffic plan.
Key Responsibilities:
1. To provide real-time traffic management and navigational guidance to Royal Navy warships, support vessels, and commercial traffic within the Dockyard Port Area.
2. To monitor the execution of movements from the Daily Movements, granting the necessary permission required by local orders under the direction of the VTSS and liaising as necessary over any changes.
3. To maintain continuous oversight of vessel movements using radar, Automatic Identification System (AIS), VHF radio, Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems and other surveillance technologies.
4. To enforce maritime safety regulations, ensuring compliance with MOD policies, national and international navigation standards, International Organisation for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA), International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), Collision prevention Regulations (COLREGS), and local port regulations.
5. To monitor and respond to incidents, emergencies, or security threats, initiating appropriate response measures and escalating issues when necessary.
6. To maintain accurate records of vessel movements, incidents, and communications in accordance with operational procedures.
The King’s Harbour Master (KHM) Portsmouth is the de facto authority for the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth, responsible for the safe and effective operation of the port primarily for the benefit of the Ministry of Defence. KHM provides a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) for the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth to oversee shipping movements and afloat operations/activities within the port.
The Vessel Traffic Service Operator (VTSO) works in a shift pattern, at 37 hours per week, and is responsible to the VTS Supervisor for the communication and execution of management of the port’s traffic plan.
Key Responsibilities:
1. To provide real-time traffic management and navigational guidance to Royal Navy warships, support vessels, and commercial traffic within the Dockyard Port Area.
2. To monitor the execution of movements from the Daily Movements, granting the necessary permission required by local orders under the direction of the VTSS and liaising as necessary over any changes.
3. To maintain continuous oversight of vessel movements using radar, Automatic Identification System (AIS), VHF radio, Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems and other surveillance technologies.
4. To enforce maritime safety regulations, ensuring compliance with MOD policies, national and international navigation standards, International Organisation for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA), International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), Collision prevention Regulations (COLREGS), and local port regulations.
5. To monitor and respond to incidents, emergencies, or security threats, initiating appropriate response measures and escalating issues when necessary.
6. To maintain accurate records of vessel movements, incidents, and communications in accordance with operational procedures.
Person specification
We are seeking a highly motivated person who thrives in a fast-paced environment with the following personal specifications:
1. Strong organisational and time management skills – You’ll be responsible for managing multiple tasks efficiently, prioritising workloads, and ensuring seamless operations.
2. A pro-active team player – You’ll work closely with colleagues, military personnel, and external stakeholders, building strong working relationships and contributing to a supportive team environment.
3. Clear and confident communication – Keeping customers and colleagues informed is key, so you’ll need to be able to provide timely updates and concise information.
4. Sound nautical knowledge (desirable but not essential) – An understanding of general marine operations, including experience with vessel movements, navigation, or port control will be a major advantage.
5. Local expertise (desirable but not essential) – Knowledge of marine operations within the Solent and Portsmouth areas would be highly beneficial, helping you to anticipate challenges and make informed decisions.
If you have the skills, passion, and dedication to play a vital role in one of the UK’s most strategically important military, commercial and leisure maritime environments, this could be the role for you.
Qualifications
A baseline of educational qualifications is required to ensure the job holder is able to cope with the intellectual demands of the job. A good standard of written English is essential to be able to communicate effectively by spoken and written word and Maths is a prerequisite for the candidate to be able to pass the extensive operational navigational training required as part of the job. As such candidates must hold at least GCSE Grade C or above in English and Maths or recognised equivalents. A candidate who has held or holds marine deck officer or Boatmaster qualifications or VTS qualifications but does not hold GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent) would be considered.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
1. Communicating and Influencing
2. Delivering at Pace
3. Making Effective Decisions
4. Managing a Quality Service
5. Leadership
Alongside your salary of £26,235, the Ministry of Defence contributes £7,600 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
As a civil servant in Navy Command, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects, and a job that makes a difference.
In addition to the Base Salary, there is a 20% Regular Shift Allowance and opportunities for paid overtime to cover for Leave, training and other absences, and payments for working weekends and Public Holidays, which adds approximately £5,000 to the Base Salary.
We also provide first rate benefits for all our employees as we understand the commitment our staff make, both inside and outside of the workplace and our aim is to provide a place of work which allows the flexibility to maintain a work-life balance.
In HMNBP, we promote the 70:20:10 model. We understand learning can take different forms including on the job practice, learning from others, networking as well as studying for courses. All staff are encouraged to take ownership of their development and take proactive steps to shape your own learning and development. This includes identifying learning needs, deciding the best way to meet these needs, undertaking learning and reflecting.
We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.
An apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through an apprenticeship, you will gain professional knowledge, practical experience, and the broader skills required to upskill you in your current role and pave the way for your future career. Most of the training will be ‘on-the-job’, with the remaining ‘off-the-job’ training often delivered by a training provider. This means minimal disruption and maximum impact.
Professional qualifications can be achieved through an apprenticeship and range from Level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs), Level 3 (equivalent to 2 A Levels), and Levels 4 -7, which can give you a foundation degree, a full Bachelor’s degree, or a Master’s degree.
Apprenticeships normally last between 12 months - 3 years, depending on the level of the apprenticeship.
Anyone can undertake an Apprenticeship and everyone, regardless of age, can benefit from developing their skills in an accredited way.
Successful candidates can discuss their development options with their manager when in post.
We also provide first rate benefits for all our employees as we understand the commitments our staff have, both inside and outside of the workplace and our aim is to provide a place of work which allows the flexibility to maintain a work-life balance. These include:
* In addition to your salary is the potential for in-year performance and recognition awards
* A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
* Personal & professional development
* Access to a confidential, professional support service
* 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
* Alternative working patterns for many roles
* Discount schemes
* Bicycle / season ticket loans
* Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
* Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year
* On-site facilities (gymnasium, various cafés, shops, post office, mess facilities etc)
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.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
At Sift You Will Be Assessed On The Following:
The Civil Service welcomes applications from everyone, irrespective of gender and ethnic group. All appointments are based on merit alone. Selection for this particular vacancy uses the Civil Services Success Profiles recruitment framework specifically, the following Behaviours, and an anonymised CV:
1. CV
2. Communicating and Influencing
3. Delivering at Pace
4. Making Effective Decisions
5. Managing a Quality Service
6. Leadership
At Interview You Will Be Assessed On The Following:
1. Communicating and Influencing
2. Delivering at Pace
3. Making Effective Decisions
4. Managing a Quality Service
5. Leadership
When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.
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.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
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. See our vetting charter.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.
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. See our vetting charter.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.
Nationality requirements
Open to UK nationals only.
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 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 the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans 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
* Name : Robert Whitworth
* Email : robert.whitworth369@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
* Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk
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