Ferry operative - Boatmaster - Jura ferry - ARB17620

Service: Roads and Infrastructure Services

Closing date: 2nd April 2026

We are looking to recruit a boat master to join our friendly team working on the vehicle ferry that runs between Port Askaig, Islay, and Feolin, Jura. Let us tell you about why this could be a great move for you. Argyll and Bute is one of Scotland’s most stunning areas. As its award-winning council, we play a vital part in the day-to-day life and long-term future of our beautiful and diverse communities. Our unwavering purpose is to make Argyll and Bute the place to be, the place where people want to live, to work and do business. And we are committed to making the council the place to have a great career, by providing excellent benefits and a friendly, dynamic working culture so that each of our 5000 colleagues can deliver services that help our corner of Scotland thrive. Join us to make a difference.

The Islay-Jura ferry connects two of our most loved islands, plays a huge role in the islands’ economies and supports community life. Your role is therefore vitally important. We want you to have a great work/life balance. You will work an average of 41.5 hours per week (including 4.5 hours contracted overtime) over a two-week rotating shift pattern; seven days on and seven days off. We will also expect you to take part in the out-of-hours bookable sailings and call out rota to support emergency services.

Ideally, you will come from a marine background and will be used to working with members of the public and handling cash. We look for candidates to have the following certificates or demonstrate they have applied for and enrolled for the certificate courses:

• Seafarer medical report form ENG1 and ENG1 certificate (MSF 4104)
• Basic Sea Survival (STCW Code – Table A-VI/1-1)
• Fire Fighting & Prevention (STCW Code - Table A-VI/1-2)
• Elementary First Aid (STCW Code – Table A –VI/1-3)
• Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities (PSSR) (STCW Code - Table A-VI/1-4)

This post requires Protection of Vulnerable Group (PVG) Membership in relation to working with children. Our employees make good things happen in the day-to-day life and for the longer term future of Argyll and Bute. We want you to feel valued working for us. We offer various benefits to support you, such as a competitive salary, pension scheme, generous leave entitlement, cycle to work scheme, discounts on gym memberships and leisure centres, wellbeing initiatives, and opportunities for learning and career growth.

We also embrace a modern approach to work, offering a flexible first approach where possible to requests from our employees to how they work. We care about our people and the world around us and always aim to do the right thing. From employee recognition schemes to environmental policies we have many initiatives in place to help us look after the things we all care about.

Take a look at what we’re doing to be a great place to work: Argyll and Bute Employee Recognition Programme, Disability Confident, Armed Forces, Fair Work First Statement, Equality and Fairness, Climate Change, Flexible and Hybrid Working Policy.

Argyll and Bute Council recognises the numerous benefits of a positive work-life balance to the wellbeing and productivity of our employees. We will take a flexible first approach to requests from our employees to change the way that they work. While we must balance such requests with the need to ensure the quality of the important services we deliver is not compromised, we will ensure that each request is given careful consideration with a view to achieving a positive outcome wherever possible.

Applicants should note that:

• Selected candidate not in possession of ENG1 certificate will have to apply for and obtain certificate as it is an essential requirement for the post.
• We don’t have living accommodation on board for crew on this vessel, and so the successful applicant will be required to live or find accommodation on Islay.

To apply for this vacancy, please click on the Apply Now button at the top of this page. If you would like clarification on any information contained within the vacancy advert and/or the job description please contact the recruiting manager, who is Stevie Jarron, Technical Officer, 0774 894 5298. Please note that you cannot apply for this vacancy by contacting the recruiting manager, applications must be made by clicking on the Apply Now button at the top of this page. Please also note that we do not accept CVs, only applications completed and submitted via the Apply Now button on this page.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about our commitment to this please visit Equality & Diversity Policy.