About the job

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 Aeronautical professional looking for your next exciting challenge?

Would you love to work with the most versatile aircrafts within the UK, providing assistance to all emergency services both inland and at sea?

Could you make a difference contributing to the search, rescue and saving of life?

If so, we'd love to hear from you!

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 more about what it's like working at the Department for Transport.

Job description

HM Coastguard (HMCG) is the operational arm of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) with responsibility for 6 key functions: Search and Rescue (SAR), Pollution Response, Vessel Traffic Management, Maritime Safety, Maritime Security and Emergency and Disaster Management.

There are three delivery disciplines within HM Coastguard: Maritime and Aeronautical Operations, which coordinate activities from an operations room environment, and Coastal Operations, which manages resources and service provision on the coast.

We now have an exciting opportunity for a Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Commander (JRCC) to join our team as part of Aeronautical Operations.

Reporting to the JRCC Manager, the successful applicant will be accountable for the coordination of aeronautical SAR incidents and the efficient and effective tasking, deployment and coordination of UK SAR aviation assets and MCA aircraft within the land and sea areas of the UK Search and Rescue Region, whilst maintaining a strategic view of all UK aviation assets from SAR helicopters to unmanned aerial vehicles.

You will act as a business continuity subject matter expert and maintain tactical oversight of JRCC activity, resources, resilience, and technical capability.

You will provide effective line management services, leading a motivating a team of aeronautical rescue officers to deliver successful outcomes, and act as HMCG Tactical Commander where required.

Collaboration is key in this role and you will build strong working relationships with coastguard search and rescue partners, category 1 emergency services and wider MCA colleagues.

This is a rewarding role where no two shifts are the same. You will be constantly learning and developing, using your knowledge to make dynamic decisions when faced with scenarios you may never have faced before.

The role is permanent and will be based in Fareham, with the role holder required to work shifts 24/7 within an overall national staffing system including weekends and public holidays.

Additional to the listed salary, this role attracts an allowance of up to £5000 (£2000 shift working, £2000 night working, £1000 weekends and public holiday working).

There may be a requirement for occasional travel to attend formal training events and this may require spending time away from home and the normal workplace.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Ensuring the effective and efficient coordination of the response to Aeronautical SAR incidents and those incidents requiring SAR aviation assets, whilst using technical and command expertise to make sound and balanced operational and tactical decisions.
• Authorising, or delegating the authorisation of, the tasking and deployment of the most suitable SAR aviation asset for any request for SAR aircraft assistance from a recognised coordinating authority (UK Police, Fire, Ambulance or Coastguard and foreign SAR services) and to ensure that such requests are a relevant and an appropriate use of the asset(s).
• Providing advice and guidance on all aspects of Aeronautical SAR and the deployment and coordination of UK SAR aviation assets to the Team Leader (Air) and Senior Aeronautical Operations Officers, and provide expert subject matter advice and incident support to JRCC Commanders (Maritime) to ensure a cohesive approach to HMCG incident response and the operational and tactical levels.
• Undertaking the role of HMCG Tactical Commander when required during national SAR and other maritime and/or aeronautical-related incidents, and when delegated or necessary, undertaking the role of HM Coastguard Strategic Commander.
• Coordinating the flying program of the MCA Fixed Wing aircraft by liaising with stakeholders and service providers, and making reactive and proactive tasking priority decisions when required.

For an in-depth insight into the role, please refer to the Role Profile attached to this advert.

About You

We are looking to be joined by an individual who is either qualified as a Coastguard Aeronautical Operations Officer or holds an equivalent qualification relating to Aeronautical operations environment. You must also have demonstrable knowledge and experience of command, control and management of teams in a response environment.

You will be an effective decision maker to ensure efficient co-ordination and delegation, and your excellent leadership skills along with your ability to communicate clearly and concisely means you confidently manage and give direction to a team in varying circumstances to ensure successful outcomes.

You will have good judgement and problem solving skills with the ability to remain calm under pressure and handle difficult situations with a sense of personal responsibility, integrity and resilience.

You will thrive managing a varied and challenging workload and your fantastic organisational skills mean you are able to balance and prioritise tasks. This role would suit somebody who enjoys collaborating with others and building up strong working relationships.

You will be committed, innovative and driven, always eager to learn and develop knowledge and skills and willing to obtain a Coastguard Aeronautical Operations Office qualification, if not already held, within 12 months of commencing the role.

About Operational Delivery Profession (ODP)

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.

Qualifications

Coastguard Aeronautical Operations Officer qualification (or equivalent qualification relating to Aeronautical operations environment).

Behaviours

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

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

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.