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Port Officer

On-site in Plymouth·Full-time·Added today (last checked 12 Nov)

Our summary

Salary
£30,740 a year

About £2,140 a month after tax.

Work mode
On-site, Plymouth
Contract
Full-time
Closing date
Apply by Wednesday 25 November
Holiday
25 days holiday
Pension
28.97% employer pension
Commute
Season ticket loan

Skills

Requirements

What we're looking for

To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

  • Experience of supporting environmental management, sustainability, conservation or regulatory compliance in a maritime, operational or similarly regulated setting.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical or legislative information clearly to different audiences.
  • Experience of building effective working relationships with internal teams, external organisations and a broad range of stakeholders.
  • Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage varied priorities, maintain accurate records and deliver work to agreed deadlines.
  • Sound judgement and attention to detail when reviewing information, identifying issues and providing clear advice or recommendations.
  • Confidence using digital communication tools, including social media or other public-facing communication channels.
  • A willingness and ability to undertake harbour patrols, crew the KHM boat and complete the required post-joining training.

Pay & benefits

What you'll get

£30,740

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Alongside your salary of £30,740, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,905 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

  • 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years' service
  • Market-leading employer pension contribution of 28.97%
  • Personal & professional development
  • Alternative working patterns for many roles
  • Access to a confidential, professional support service
  • Discount schemes
  • Bicycle / season-ticket loans
  • Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
  • Special paid leave to volunteer (up to 6 days a year)

In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you'll be supported through your learning journey and your career. This can include working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.

You'll have access to a variety of qualifications pathways ranging from GCSE/A-Level equivalent all the way up to master's degree, depending on your role, your previous skills and your experience. Some qualifications even include "on-the-job" training which means minimal disruption to your working day but maximum impact.

Visa & relocation

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system.
Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

Open to UK nationals only.

The role

Could you help shape a greener, safer future for Directorate of Submarines? Join the King's Harbour Master Plymouth team as our Port Officer - Environment and Outreach and help keep the Dockyard Port of Plymouth safe, sustainable and ready for the future. You'll turn environmental legislation into practical action, support the port's Safety and Environmental Management System, build strong relationships with military, public and maritime partners, and help communicate important messages to the wider community. From advising on emerging sustainability issues and coordinating responses to marine developments to supporting harbour patrols on the water, this is a varied role for someone who enjoys combining environmental purpose, teamwork and hands-on maritime activity.

What you'll do

  • Support the Port Conservancy Officer in delivering the port's conservancy duties and meeting relevant environmental legislation and standards.
  • Identify, monitor and provide advice on the port's environmental and conservation features.
  • Help manage public communications, social media and outreach activity in partnership with Naval Base and Ministry of Defence teams.
  • Monitor and report on port sustainability, emerging environmental issues and opportunities to improve future ways of working.
  • Crew the King's Harbour Master rigid inflatable boat and take part in periodic harbour patrols as required.
  • Review and brief colleagues on marine and local planning applications, helping to coordinate the King's Harbour Master's response.
  • Build effective relationships with military, government, local authority, maritime and community stakeholders, representing the King's Harbour Master professionally.

How you'll work

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Apply and further information

Apply before 11:55 pm on Wednesday 25th November 2026

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Reference number

482853

Job grade

Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Operational Delivery

Number of jobs available

1

Location

HMNB Devonport, Plymouth, PL2 2BG

Benefits

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Further information

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Job contact

  • Name : NavySM-DirWorkforceMgmnt@mod.gov.uk
  • Email : NavySM-DirWorkforceMgmnt@mod.gov.uk

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Hiring process

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Working Together
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Changing and Improving

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

As part of Defence Reform, Navy Command continues to review and evolve its Target Operating Model to support more agile ways of working. In this context, the role and responsibilities of this role may develop over time to reflect changing business priorities and opportunities.

At Sift, you will be assessed against the following;

  • Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history and qualification details.
  • Candidates will be required to provide a personal statement. This should be a maximum of 500 words that sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills and experience meet the essential requirements for the role.

At Interview, you will be assessed against the following success profiles:

Behaviour

  • Working together
  • Changing and improving

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

About Ministry of Defence (MOD)

Industry
Government Administration

In their own words

About the company & team

MOD - Military Strategic Headquarters - Navy

At Navy Command, we lead, support, and sustain the Royal Navy across every theatre of operations. We coordinate the people, platforms, and missions that keep the Fleet ready for today's challenges and tomorrow's opportunities. Together, we uphold centuries of naval tradition while driving innovation that ensures the Royal Navy's readiness to protect our nation and secure our future.

As the authority for the Royal Navy's nuclear submarine capability, the Submarine Directorate oversees one of the most complex and critical elements of UK defence. Covering everything from in‑service management to long‑term fleet modernisation, the directorate ensures the Submarine Flotilla remains safe, reliable, and ready to meet national security requirements.

You'll be based at HMNB Devonport, the largest naval base in Western Europe and a powerhouse of Royal Navy capability. It is home to amphibious ships, survey squadrons, submarines, and two-thirds of the frigate force. With its unique nuclear refitting facility, Devonport ensures the Fleet remains ready to support operations worldwide.

  • Email : DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam5@mod.gov.uk

Additional information

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey - We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

All open roles at Ministry of Defence (MOD)

Location

Ministry of Defence (MOD) · PL2 2BG

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