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- Tasks: Lead and manage Coastguard Rescue Teams, ensuring safety and operational readiness.
- Company: Join the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, a vital public service.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, and 25 days annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in coastal safety while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in team management and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Flexible working options and excellent career development opportunities await you.
Making sure you fit the guidelines as an applicant for this role is essential, please read the below carefully.
Location: Fort William, Portree
Salary: £41,663 - A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%. Advertised salary is inclusive of a base salary of £35,663 and £6,000 of additional allowances which includes:
- On-call Allowance - £3,000 per annum
- Public Holiday, Evening and Weekend allowance - £1,000 per annum
- Enhanced Public Holiday, Evening and Weekend allowance - £2,000 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent – Full-time
Available Positions: 1
As Senior Coastal Operations Officer, you have the responsibility of the management, administration, readiness, and safety of Coastguard Rescue Officers (CRO’s) within Coastguard Rescue Teams. This will be under the supervision of the Coastal Operations Area Commander to ensure that the Operational Area is at a state of constant readiness.
You will also be responsible for the supervision, management and administration of operational equipment, vehicles and estate belonging to a number of Coastguard Rescue Teams.
Top Responsibilities
- Leading and managing a number of teams allocated by the Coastal Operations Area Commander. You will act as mentor and coach to Station Officers, ensuring that there is a consistent standard of leadership and compliance with policy across the teams they are allocated.
- Recruitment, induction, and technical training of volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers including the monitoring of their probation progress.
- Ensuring Coastguard Rescue Officers are developed appropriately, are motivated and understand the commitment required within the volunteer Coastguard Rescue Service. This includes ensuring that Coastguard Rescue Officers are trained and assessed in all disciplines required in line with national policy, and Area priorities.
- Ensuring adequate levels of supervision and governance are maintained and compliance with ISO 9001:2015. This includes ensuring all associated records and databases are updated and maintained.
- Ensuring teams under your control maintain a high level of operational readiness. This includes: complying with Equipment Management processes; adhering to equipment inspection regimes; ensuring vehicles are compliant with legal requirements and ensuring that HMCG properties are kept in good order and all requirements of the Health and Safety policy are followed.
- Representing HM Coastguard at operational level in local liaison and multi-agency partnership working.
- Ensuring that the MCA safety culture and safe systems of work are implemented within the teams for which they are responsible.
Benefits
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
- 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.
About You
To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:
- Demonstrated good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Managed individuals either full-time or in the voluntary sector.
- Demonstrated command, control and management of operational teams in a pressured environment/situation.
- Worked independently or remotely (from your manager), managing your time against conflicting demands.
Essential qualifications/licenses:
- A valid passport for international travel
- A full UK driving license
You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential qualifications/licenses at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.
How to Apply: Read the full description and apply at CS Jobs using the link provided. This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Thursday 19th February 2026.
Senior Coastal Operations Officer in Highland employer: Maritime & Coastguard Agency
Contact Detail:
Maritime & Coastguard Agency Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Coastal Operations Officer in Highland
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. They can give us insider info on what it’s really like working there and might even put in a good word for us.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to leadership and team management. We should also think of examples from our past experiences that showcase our skills in these areas.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our passion for coastal operations! During interviews, let’s express why we care about maritime safety and how we can contribute to the Coastguard's mission. It’ll help us stand out!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, we can keep track of our application status easily.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Coastal Operations Officer in Highland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Thoroughly: Before you start your application, make sure to read the job description carefully. We want to see that you understand the role and how your experience aligns with the responsibilities outlined.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Don’t just send a generic CV! We love it when applicants tailor their documents to highlight relevant experience and skills that match the Senior Coastal Operations Officer role. Show us why you're the perfect fit!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Maritime & Coastguard Agency
✨Know Your Responsibilities
Make sure you thoroughly understand the key responsibilities of a Senior Coastal Operations Officer. Familiarise yourself with the management and training aspects, as well as the importance of operational readiness. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your leadership and mentoring abilities. Think about times when you've successfully managed teams or individuals, especially in high-pressure situations. Highlighting these experiences will show that you're ready to take on the challenges of this role.
✨Understand the Safety Culture
Research the MCA's safety culture and be ready to discuss how you would implement safe systems of work within your teams. Showing that you prioritise safety and compliance will resonate well with the interviewers, as it's a crucial part of the job.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your decision-making and problem-solving skills. Think about potential challenges you might face in this role and how you would handle them. Practising these scenarios can help you feel more confident during the interview.
