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Ref no:
SIC08549
Published:
23/01/2026
Closes:
06/02/2026
Location:
Port Administration Building, Sella Ness, Sullom Voe, ZE2 9QR
Salary:
£51,364.47 - £53,500.72 per year
Contract Type:
Permanent
Position Type:
Full Time
Hours:
42 hours per week

Advertisement Details

The Assistant Harbour Master reports directly to the Deputy Harbour Master and is responsible for the day-to-day safety issues of Ports and Harbours personnel and for ensuring safety inspections and audits are carried out.  The post holder will have operational responsibility for VTS (Vessel Traffic Services), in line with the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC), IALA and local procedures. The role also includes maintaining and exercising equipment used for emergency situations.

The main duties of the Assistant Harbour Master are:

  • To act as the primary operational point of contact for all vessel traffic management matters, ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant movement of vessels within the harbour limits. This includes maintaining effective communication and coordination with Pilots, Masters, Harbour staff, stakeholders, and external agencies such as the Coastguard, MCA, and other port authorities. The role involves providing accurate and timely information, monitoring marine operations and supporting decision-making to uphold navigational safety and operational efficiency at all times;
  • Safety and Pollution incidents:
    • Investigate safety and pollution incidents and, where appropriate, provide written reports (Marine Report forms, Situation Reports and Pollution Reports) which may be issued to external agencies such as the Police, Procurator Fiscal and Maritime and Coastguard Agency. These investigations may involve travel on land, sea or air;
    • Participation in clean-up operations after a pollution incident. Note this is primarily in the role of Onsite Supervisor (MCA Level 4 Oil Spill Onsite Commander) and you will be required to drive Council vehicles to tow and deliver response equipment.  As Onsite Supervisor you are responsible for on-site decision making, to be later confirmed with management;
    • When suitably qualified, act as On-scene Manager taking appropriate decisions as required;
    • Liaise with environmental agencies and support services during an incident and feedback to senior management.
  • To undertake ship inspections alongside:
    • Check visiting vessels are in compliance with all port and jetty safety regulations;
    • Checking own vessels are, in addition, operating in compliance with departmental and Safety Management System (SMS) procedures and guidelines.

More detail is provided in the Job Profile, Person Specification and Conditions of Service Summary attached to the bottom of this advert.

Please follow the link(s) below for further information -

www.shetland.gov.uk

Additional Information

  • The grade of this post is J
  • Salary shown in the advert is inclusive of Distant Islands Allowance of £2,997 per annum (pro rata) and contracted overtime payment
  • Permanent Full Time post for 42.0 Hours per Week, (37 hours and 5 hours contracted overtime), 52.18 weeks per year
  • A relocation package does not apply to this post
  • We will pay interview expenses from within Shetland
  • You must have the ability to travel throughout Shetland at short notice and where public transport is limited
  • We are happy to talk flexible working

During the application process you are required to give the names of two persons not related to you, who we can contact to provide a reference to support your application.

This post is based at Port Administration Building, Sella Ness

For further details relating to this post, please contact: James Milne - Team Leader - Deputy Harbour Master - Email: james.milne@shetland.gov.uk - Tel: 01595744245

If you have a disability which prevents you from applying online, please call 01595 744032.

Information about Shetland

Shetland is an archipelago in the north of the British Isles where you'll find freedom, wildlife and wild beauty, but also a rich culture and dynamic, forward-looking society. The Islands have a thriving and diverse economy full of opportunities and offer residents the ideal work/life balance. Shetland combines stunning coastal landscapes and wide open spaces with friendly, bustling island communities. Factor in Shetland's impressive modern amenities, highly regarded schools and the Islands offer a work life balance rarely found elsewhere.

Find out more about:

Living and working in Shetland: here

The Shetland Islands Council: here

  • Disability Confident Employer - Employer
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  • Happy to Talk Flexible Working
  • Equally Safe at Work - Bronze
  • Scottish Living Wage
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