Chief Officer

Contract Type: Full Time

Chief Officer-Maritime North - OOP Operations
Kyle of Lochalsh, IV40 8AJ
Permanent, Full time, 48 hours

Competitive salary plus benefits

Serco have an exciting opportunity to join the Out of Port Operations team in Kyle as a Chief Officer.

As a Chief Officer you will be in charge of day-to-day working of the Deck department, including bridge watch keeping, cargo operations and maintaining a high standard of upkeep. You will report to the Vessel Manager (whilst on board) and keep regular contact with crew/Operations Controller/Technical and Marine Superintendent/clients and other stakeholders.

Main Accountabilities:

• Plan and supervise the maintenance of all deck areas including holds, hatches and superstructure.
• In consultation with the Master, the Chief Officer is responsible for the correct loading, discharge and ballasting of the ship having proper regard for stress, strain and stability. Make sure all cargo, stores and deck equipment is secure before departure and the hatches, holds and other openings are watertight.
• Be responsible for deck stores including stowage, inventory and re-ordering as required.
• As soon, as practicable after joining the vessel, shall inspect those parts of the vessel under their supervision and for which they are responsible. This includes all deck machinery, records and inventory.
• Take every precaution to prevent any infringement of the Oil Pollution Regulations and work in close conjunction with the Chief Engineer to ensure that all precautions are taken against overside spillage during bunkering and transfer of bilges.
• Shall be one of the Watchkeeping Officers of the vessel, normally taking the 4 to 8 watch. When watchkeeping, they are in control of the vessel, and shall follow all Company Procedures on navigation and observe International Regulations.
• Keep all Deck records as required by the Company.
• Shall arrange boat drills, fire drills, oil pollution containment drills and test liferafts and their launching devices regularly as per the Company's procedures.
• Be responsible for sounding all ballast and fresh water tanks and shall ensure that the proper records are kept in the Tank Sounding Book.
• Be responsible for the efficient running and safe operation of the equipment under their control and will notify the Chief Engineer of any defect.
• Unless required otherwise by the Master, and in addition to their navigational duties, to be responsible for deck fabric maintenance, the organisation and supervision of the deck department, for discipline of its members and the duties enumerated here.
• Manage/record the working hours worked by their staff.
• Understudy the Master so that, in the event of illness or incident, they may assume temporary command of the ship.
• Be responsible for all safety equipment and supervise the maintenance of it. The Chief Officer will issue the safety equipment and personnel protection devices and ensure that they are used.
• Ascertain properties of cargo prior to loading and ensure it is properly marked, stowed and notices displayed with details of properties of any hazardous cargo.
• Make factual reports and records of any equipment damages during loading/offloading operations and ensure that Engineering Department is notified.
• Take every precaution to ensure there are no infringements of Oil Pollution Regulations and work in close conjunction with the Chief Engineer to ensure that all precautions are taken. Make all calculations concerning stability data prior to departure.
• Take the station allotted to them by the Master during berthing and unberthing operations and communicate with the Master/Pilot.
• Be responsible to the Master for the maintenance of vessel security in all its forms.
• Give and receive an appropriate and detailed written handover when leaving/joining the Ship.
• Carry out any other duties as may be reasonably requested by the Master.
• To be fully conversant with the use of all safety equipment, emergency procedures and vessel contingency plans.
• Be familiar with safety routines and ensure necessary safeguards are in place before any work commences.
• Be Familiar with company safety management procedures - specifically:
  • Permit to Work/Tag Out Systems
  • Serco waste disposal procedures
  • Shipboard Management Team
  • Shipboard Safety Committee

What you'll need to do the role:

• Certificate of Competence as Chief Officer (3000GT) (as a minimum)
• STCW Personal Survival Techniques (5 Year Refresher Course)
• STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (5 Year Refresher Course)
• STCW Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (5 Year Refresher Course)
• STCW Certificate of Proficiency in Survival Craft (5 Year Refresher Course)
• STCW Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (5 Year Refresher Course)
• STCW Elementary First Aid
• Unrestricted ENG1
• Methodical in approach
• Good standard of education

What we offer

• Salary:Competitive salaries with annual reviews
• Pension:Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Training and development:We offer a wide range of learning opportunities with over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression
• Wellbeing:24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, BUPA Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, Simplyhealth cash plans to claim back money towards healthcare costs, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres
• Discounts:Save across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
• ShareSave scheme:Helps you save regularly with the choice to buy Serco shares at a discount at the end of your savings period
• Employee networks:Dedicated networks where colleagues can come together to find support, share challenges, discuss ideas, network and be part of a community

To discover more about our careers in Defence, meet our team, and to find out more about what we offer, please follow this Link. We're also a signatory of the UK Governments Women in Defence Charter, to find out more please click here.

Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens, we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. As a proud Disability Confident Leader and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard, disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.