Maritime Operations Officer

Maritime Operations Officer

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Reference number: 449319

Salary: £26,607

On completing training, you’ll be eligible for up to £7,500 in additional allowances.

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.

Contract type: Permanent

Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Location: Lerwick, Shetland Islands

Job summary

As a Maritime Operations Officer, you’ll be the first contact for those in an emergency, either at sea or along the coast – someone in distress in the water, a ship struggling in difficult weather. Based in a rescue coordination centre, you’ll be calm, measured and intent on gathering accurate information so that we can help in the best way possible. Working with your team, you’ll coordinate responses to both emergencies and routine issues. Plus, you’ll work with other Emergency Services to ensure that the most effective, robust outcome is achieved. You will have strict operating procedures to work within. Another core responsibility will be accurately recording, updating and maintaining incident logs, records and databases. We also provide the public with information on tides, weather, and incidents, so that they can make safer decisions.

You will be expected to work in a 12-hour shift pattern at the rescue coordination centre, so that we can provide a 24/7 service.

Who you are

As we provide you with all the necessary training, this is an excellent opportunity to join a new career. These three characteristics are essential for you to succeed:

· Communication – over the phone, you are clearly spoken and empathetic. As you’ll be speaking to people under difficult circumstances, they may be scared and panicked. You will have to keep them calm to be able to get the right information from them quickly and then effectively pass that on to others.

· Resilience - this role can be challenging, and not every incident will have a positive outcome. You’ll need to feel prepared to handle that. You’re able to work under pressure and recognise changing priorities.

· Teamwork – working well with others under pressure is critical, as you’ll have to coordinate an efficient response.

Plus, we’ll be looking for the following Civil Service behaviours: communicating and influencing, delivering at pace, making effective decisions. Learn more about Success Profiles here.

We’d like you to bring experience of working in a fast-paced, service-led environment. You’re experienced at keeping accurate records while under pressure, which has polished your computer skills.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £26,607, Maritime and Coastguard Agency contributes £7,708 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic 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.

Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window).

Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 13th April 2026.