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Maritime Operations

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Maritime Operations Officer – Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Employer: Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)
Salary: £27,631 per year, plus up to £7,500 in additional allowances
Location: Fareham, Hampshire, England
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time, 12-hour rotating day and night shifts
Hours: Average of 37 duty hours per week over a 12-month period
Number of Vacancies: 1
Job Grade: Administrative Officer
Reference Number: 486620
Closing Date: 25 October 2026 at 11:55 pm

Visa Sponsorship: Not Available. The employer explicitly confirms that this role does not qualify for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the appropriate right to work in the UK.

About the Maritime Operations Officer Role

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is recruiting a Maritime Operations Officer to help protect lives and improve safety at sea and along the UK coastline.

This is an opportunity to join HM Coastguard in a vital emergency response position. You will be among the first people contacted by members of the public, mariners and coastal users when they need assistance.

Working from a Rescue Coordination Centre, you will use telephone systems, radios and other operational technology to gather information, coordinate emergency responses and work with other emergency services.

You do not need to be an expert in maritime operations before applying, as training will be provided. However, you should be comfortable communicating with people under pressure, making decisions and working effectively as part of a team.

Key Responsibilities

As a Maritime Operations Officer, your duties will include:

  • Acting as the first point of contact for members of the public and people requiring Coastguard assistance.
  • Responding to emergency and routine enquiries.
  • Coordinating appropriate responses to incidents at sea and along the coast.
  • Working closely with colleagues and other emergency services to achieve effective outcomes.
  • Following established operational procedures and protocols.
  • Maintaining accurate incident logs, records and databases.
  • Gathering and communicating essential information during potentially life-threatening emergencies.

The position is office-based at the designated workplace rather than at sea. It is not suitable for hybrid working.

Salary and Additional Allowances

The advertised basic salary is £27,631 per year. Eligible employees may receive up to £7,500 in additional allowances for shift work and unsociable hours.

See also Night Cleaner

The advertised allowances include:

  • Night working: £2,250
  • Enhanced night-working allowance: £2,250
  • Rotating shifts: £2,000
  • Public holidays and weekend working: £1,000

The allowances are subject to the applicable eligibility and payment arrangements. The maximum advertised additional allowances are not guaranteed for every employee.

The role also includes access to the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an advertised employer contribution rate of 28.97%.

Requirements and Essential Skills

The employer is looking for applicants with the following core abilities:

Communication skills: You must be able to communicate clearly and calmly with people who may be frightened, distressed or experiencing emergencies. You will need to obtain accurate information quickly and pass it on effectively.

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Resilience: You should be able to remain composed in demanding situations, including incidents with difficult or potentially tragic outcomes.

Teamwork: You must work effectively with colleagues and other emergency services to coordinate responses and support people who need help.

Experience: During the application process, you will need to demonstrate experience of working under pressure, working in a fast-paced, service-led environment, and communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.

No specialist expertise in this particular role is required before joining, as the employer will provide role-specific training.

Working Hours and Training

This is a full-time position supporting HM Coastguard’s 24-hour emergency service throughout the year.

You will work 12-hour shifts, including both days and nights. The average duty commitment is 37 hours per week over a 12-month period.

The role requires the wearing of a uniform while on duty. Successful candidates must also complete the required physical medical assessment and mental health questionnaire.

Training is scheduled to begin in 2027 and will last 18 weeks, consisting of four modules, each followed by an examination. Candidates are typically allowed one resit per module if they do not pass initially.

During training, you will be expected to travel frequently to coordination centres in Fareham and Southampton. Travel expenses will be paid, and accommodation will be provided.

Successful applicants must start in the role before their training begins.

Employee Benefits

Employees of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency can access a range of Civil Service benefits, including:

  • Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an advertised employer contribution of 28.97%.
  • 25 days of annual leave, increasing by one day for each year of service up to 30 days.
  • Eight bank holidays plus an additional privilege day for the King’s birthday.
  • Staff discount portal.
  • Career development opportunities and potential funding for relevant professional qualifications and apprenticeships.
  • A 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme offering confidential support and advice.
  • Access to staff communities within a diverse and inclusive workforce.
  • Flexible working options where compatible with operational requirements.

Please note that this particular position requires attendance at the designated workplace and is not suitable for hybrid working.

Visa Sponsorship and Right to Work

Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is not available for this vacancy.

See also Cleaner

The advert states that sponsorship will only be offered for roles considered business-critical, and this position does not meet that category.

Applicants who require employer sponsorship should not apply. Candidates must already have the appropriate right to work in the UK, and applications from people who require sponsorship will be rejected.

The vacancy is broadly open to eligible UK nationals, Irish nationals, qualifying Commonwealth nationals, certain EU and other specified nationals with the required status, and other candidates who meet the Civil Service nationality and right-to-work rules. Meeting the nationality requirements does not remove the separate requirement to have the appropriate right to work.

Application and Selection Process

The recruitment process uses the Civil Service Success Profiles framework and includes an online test, application sift, assessments and interview.

Stage 1: Online Numerical Test

After submitting the initial personal details, applicants will be invited to complete a Civil Service numerical reasoning test.

You should complete the test as soon as possible, preferably within 24–48 hours of receiving the invitation, to leave enough time to submit the full application.

The online test and application deadline is 25 October 2026 at 11:55 pm. Failure to complete the test and submit the application before the deadline will result in withdrawal.

The online tests will be unavailable on Sunday, 25 October 2026, between 12 noon and 1 pm due to scheduled maintenance.

See also Data Analyst

Stage 2: Application Sift

Applicants must submit a CV and a personal statement of up to 750 words.

Your application should provide evidence of:

  • Working effectively in a high-pressure environment, whether due to workload, pace or the nature of the work.
  • Experience in a fast-paced, service-led environment.
  • Effective verbal and written communication.

The sift is scheduled for 26 and 27 October 2026.

Stage 3: Online Assessments

Successful applicants at sift stage will be invited to complete two assessments through Microsoft Teams:

  • A call-listening exercise.
  • An IT skills exercise.

These assessments are scheduled for 3 and 4 November 2026.

Stage 4: Interview

Candidates who pass the assessments will be invited to an online interview through Microsoft Teams.

The interview is scheduled for 11, 12 and 13 November 2026.

The following behaviours will be assessed:

  • Delivering at Pace.
  • Making Effective Decisions.
  • Communicating and Influencing.

Strengths will also be assessed during the interview.

A 12-month reserve list will be maintained and may be used to fill further opportunities.

Medical and Security Checks

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a medical assessment and a basic criminal record check or equivalent.

Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks will also apply. Additional pre-employment screening includes an Internal Fraud Database check for successful interview candidates.

External applicants and current employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies will also undergo a social media check covering publicly available online activity.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is committed to making its recruitment process fair and accessible.

Applicants who need adjustments during recruitment should complete the relevant assistance section of the application form. You can also contact Government Recruitment Service at dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk before the closing date to discuss your requirements.

How to Apply

To apply, visit the official Civil Service Jobs vacancy page, review the full requirements and complete the initial application before the deadline.

Application deadline: Sunday, 25 October 2026, at 11:55 pm.

For questions about the role, contact the Maritime and Coastguard Agency recruitment team at hr.resourcing@mcga.gov.uk.

Source: Civil Service Jobs – Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Applicants should consult the official advert for the full role profile, health standards and training schedule.

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