Vessel Traffic Services Operator

Job Expired

457399 Vessel Traffic Services Operator

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 24th May 2026

📍 Location: Dover, Falmouth

💷 Salary: £37,985 (The starting salary of £37,985 is inclusive of a base salary of £30,485 and £7,500 of yearly allowances to cover weekend/public holidays and evening working. Rising to £39,985 on completion of C0103-1 and £40,985 following successful completion of local endorsement. This is normally achieved within the first year of training)
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

🕘️ Contract Type: Permanent – Full-time

🏆️ Available Positions: 2

Based at our Coastguard Operations Centre in Dover or Falmouth, we have a fantastic opportunity for a number of Vessel Traffic Services Operators (VTSO) to join our dynamic team providing a crucial VTS Traffic Information and Navigational Assistance Service in accordance with current national doctrine and the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) recommendations.

As a VTSO your day will include taking mandatory ship reports from vessels navigating within the service area, gathering key information in relation to cargo, passengers and vessel damage or defects to ensure they are compliant with both national and international maritime regulations and able to safely continue their passage.

This is a dynamic role in which you’ll be faced with a multitude of interesting and varied situations – from a compliant vessel just passing through to ships that have run aground, a passenger ferry dealing with a fire, loss of pollutant cargo overboard or even managing vessels safely around swimmers in the English Channel.

Top Responsibilities

Delivery of a vessel traffic service as defined by IALA recommendations and guidelines to vessels navigating in the service area to ensure compliance with all local, national and international regulations
Working as part of a team to manage day-to-day operations to provide a high and effective standard of VTS service delivery
Planning, prioritising and managing work based on dynamic risk assessments, and ensuring resources are available for both forecast and actual demand
Balancing work against resource and recommending additional staff or assistance from other teams to provide suitable coverage
Implementing sound leadership, management and direction within a team, and ensuring safe working practices are maintained

Benefits

Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
Access to the staff discount portal.
Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

About You

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

Be confident and proficient in the use of multiple IT systems
combining auditory and visual information
demonstrating spatial and situational awareness
demonstrating alertness and decisiveness when required
carrying out several tasks simultaneously (multi-tasking)
carrying out routine work without losing situational awareness
prioritising and deciding what situations require immediate action
show initiative and make decisions whilst working within a framework of standards, regulations and structured procedures
demonstrating effective participation as a member of a team
working within a busy, high-pressure environment
communicating with a range of stakeholders, both verbally and in writing.