Vessel Traffic Services Officer (VTSO)

The opportunity has arisen for a suitable candidate to join the Harbour Masters team as a VTSO.
As one of the United Kingdom’s major deep-water harbours, the ports of Tees and Hartlepool have approximately 8,000 commercial vessel movements annually. An important factor in its continuing success is the safe and efficient management of our waterway.
The Statutory Harbour Authority functions are partially discharged through the VTS Centre, which has particular responsibility for the continuous control of marine activities, including the planning and monitoring of vessels through the VTS system.

Location: Harbour Office – Middlesbrough.
Working Arrangements: Tees VTS provides a 24-hour operation, 365 days a year, based on a 12-hour shift system.
Salary: A starting salary of £30,539 plus shift allowance.

The main duties our VTSO will be working on are:
• The VTSO will assist the Duty Assistant Harbour Master (AHM) in managing vessel arrivals and departures within the VTS area.
• As a VTSO you will deal with shipping agents, berth operators, general public, and emergency services as well as communicating extensively with senior management, port services and other internal departments.
• The VTSO will also support the AHM in ensuring the river is managed in line with Acts of Parliament, Port Authority Bye-Laws, General Directions and marine codes of practice.
• You will operate and interpret state of the art VTS system data, including, RADAR, AIS, CCTV and communications systems.
• Daily displaying the aptitude to make and communicate authoritative operational traffic management decisions in both routine and non-routine circumstances to ensure the safety and efficiency of navigation within the VTS area.

We are seeking someone who:
• Will need to be self–motivated with a commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.
• Can demonstrate excellent administration, general IT and communication skills, be able to work accurately under pressure and work effectively as part of a small team.
• Holders of marine qualifications such as a C103-1 (previously known as V-103/1) or a UK recognised Certificate of Competency (CoC) as a Deck Officer would be advantageous but not essential.
• Those who have served as a senior rating in the Armed Forces who have worked in a communications, command and control role would also be considered.

Benefits:
We offer 25 days holiday, paid maternity, paternity, and adoption leave, life insurance, a sick pay scheme and a cycle to work scheme.

If you are interested in this opportunity please apply in writing, outlining relevant skills & experience, to hr.recruitment@pdports.co.uk and use job reference VTSO2024.
If you would like to find out more about the role, please contact hr.recruitment@pdports.co.uk.