Location

Southampton, South East, SO15 1EG

About the job

Are you passionate about protecting our Marine environment?

Do you want a fulfilling role where no two days are the same?

If so, we would love to hear from you!

Job description

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) are looking for a dedicated and hardworking Counter Pollution Support Officer to join their Counter Pollution and Salvage (CPS) Branch.

You will work within a busy and diverse team where you will respond to marine pollution and wreck removal incidents. This is an important role as you will contribute to protecting the marine environment, coastal communities and the UK taxpayer.

As part of the role you will assist in the management of the CPS Branch’s contracts as well as cost recovery claim compilation following incidents. You will ensure that resources, logistical arrangements, and budgetary oversight is in place to prevent and minimise the effect of marine pollution.

We are looking for a devoted individual who will be happy to work outside of normal working hours to respond to incidents and will take pride in the role they play within the MCA.
 

Responsibilities

The role responsibilities include:

• provide logistical support to the Counter Pollution and Salvage (CPS) Branch during incidents
• assist the CPS Branch updating its publications, such as the Counter Pollution Equipment Manual and the National Contingency Plan (NCP)
• assist with the compilation of cost recovery claims against insurers following marine pollution or wreck incidents
• assist with record keeping for all MCA incident responses
• coordinate and attend meetings as instructed by the CPS Resources and Claims Lead, providing secretarial support - agenda, minutes preparation, booking of venues and other logistical considerations
• assist with and in some cases maintain budget and stockpile records and compile financial returns for the CPS Branch
• carry out research and projects as directed by the CPS Resource & Claims Lead
• assist with equipment stockpile and dispersant contract management and records such as through meetings and audits
• assist with equipment stockpile purchasing as required, including drafting business cases and technical specifications
• assist with the planning of, and participate in as an observer, practical deployment exercises, providing feedback in the form of a report
• assisting with the management of the contract for the UK's emergency towing vessel (ETV). This includes the payment of invoices, monitoring of expenditure, monitoring the average cost of bunker fuel and helping to forecast costs

About you

We are looking for a driven and hardworking individual who has the ability to remain calm and composed whatever the situation.

You must have the ability to work using your own initiative and be able to communicate and develop relationships with stakeholders at all levels. You will thrive managing a varied and challenging workload and welcome autonomy to your role.

Being competent in taking and producing minutes is required for this role and you must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. You will also need a good understanding of document management and record keeping.

There is a physical nature to this role where there will be a requirement for the successful candidate to be able to go onboard vessels which are often small vessels such as ribs or workboats/landing craft. They will also need to go onto beaches (of all types) and be around Counter Pollution kit while it is operating.

A full UK driving licence is required for this role.

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.

DfT’s inclusion is recognition of our commitment to make the Department a great place to work through our culture of equality and inclusivity and the great strides we’ve made to raise the number of women in senior positions.

Licences

Full UK Driving Licence

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture

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. Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Selection process details

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

When considering your experience, please tailor your CV/personal statement to show evidence of:

• Knowledge and understanding of Procurement and Contract Management Processes, including use of Business Cases
• Knowledge and understanding of budget management, accounting monitoring of expenditure and purchasing processes
• Knowledge, understanding and experience in operational logistics delivery
• Knowledge and understanding of the UK National Contingency Plan for Pollution from Shipping and Offshore Installations and its stakeholders
• A general understanding of Counter Pollution operations, equipment and operational logistic considerations

The sift is due to take place 17/10/19.

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held between 30/10/19 and 01/11/19.

Interview location to be confirmed.

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 could include:

• an interview
• an interview with one or more exercises
• a full day of activities including interactive, written and timed exercises

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

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

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

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

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.

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 equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information

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 :   Stan Woznicki Email :   [email protected]   Recruitment team : Email :   [email protected] Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: [email protected] If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here (https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/) to visit Civil Service Commission