Harbour Master

NIFHA is the leading provider of harbour and ancillary services to the Northern Ireland Sea Fishing Industry and owns and operates the ports of Ardglass, Kilkeel and Portavogie.

We have a vacancy for a: Harbour Master, Kilkeel .

We are seeking a self-motivated team leader with good person management, technical and record keeping skills who will be responsible for the safe and efficient provision of services and the regulation of activities in this busy fishing port.

This is a hands on role, the Harbour Master works alongside team members as much as directs. A significant level of flexibility in attendance is required to ensure the safe running of the harbour.

The position includes attractive annual leave allowance, training opportunities and Local Government Officers (NILGOSC) pension scheme)

Further information and application form is available on our website.

Closing date : Friday 11 July 2025, 12 noon Interviews are expected to take place w/c 28 July 2025

Harbour Master, Kilkeel

Job Details

• Responsible to: The Chief Executive (CEO)

• Responsible for: Harbour Foreperson and all other team members

• Working hours:

  • 40 hours per week

  • Normal hours: 8.00am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday

  • Flexible hours required, including possible Saturday mornings (4 hours)

  • On-call duties, including Sundays, Public, and Bank Holidays

  • Additional annual leave for on-call duties

  • Automatic time recording system

• Location: Primarily The Harbour, Kilkeel, Co. Down BT34 4AX; occasional work at other locations

• Salary: £38,350 per annum; OTE up to £43k with allowances and overtime

Essential Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• Marine qualification relevant to the post, e.g.:
• Deck or Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency
• Class 2 Fishing Certificate of Competency
• RYA Certificate of Competence or Service
• Certificate of Competency for Harbour Workboat (STCW 95 Master Reg 11/3 less than 500GT)
• 5 GCSE at Grade C or equivalent or higher (including English Language and Mathematics)

Desirable:

• Certified basic safety training (within last 3 years)
• At least two of the following:

• Fork Lift Truck Certificate

• First Aid Certificate

• VHF Operators Certificate

• Level 2 Award in Food Safety Certificate
  Relevant Experience

• Essential:

• At least 3 years experience in marine/harbour environment
• Proven track record of managing and leading a small team and ensuring productivity
• Experience of Health & Safety procedures and monitoring systems in an operational environment
• Good engineering knowledge with at least 3 years experience of operating and maintaining mechanical plant and equipment, preferably in marine, construction, or similar environments
• Experience of keeping accurate records

Desirable:

• Experience of implementing and monitoring Marine Safety or Health and Safety Management systems
• Experience of preparing and implementing maintenance programmes for plant and equipment
• Experience of dealing with the public in a customer service role

Abilities

Essential:

• Numerate and able to communicate clearly in oral and written formats
• Demonstrable proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook or equivalent)
• Demonstrable management abilities

Personal Qualities

Essential:

• Honest and dependable

• Good health and physically fit for outdoor work in all weather conditions

• Self-motivated with a continuous improvement and customer-focused approach

• Willing to undergo relevant training and learn new skills

Personal Circumstances

Essential:

• Living accommodation within 30 minutes of Kilkeel Harbour

• Ability to provide on call cover and to work additional hours at short notice during the week or weekends

• Current driving licence valid in the UK

• Access to transport (appropriately maintained and insured) enabling requirements of the post

Conditions

• Only applicants clearly demonstrating required qualifications and experience on the application form will be considered.

• Initial shortlisting based on \”essential\” criteria; \”desirable\” criteria applied if further shortlisting is necessary.

• NIFHA reserves the right to conduct assessment testing for Job Specific Competencies/Abilities.

• Successful applicant must provide evidence of qualifications and training.

• Successful candidate must provide evidence of eligibility to work in the UK before commencing duties.

Special Circumstances:

• Confined space working in ice plant at low temperatures

• Fish market/Auction hall with chill room

• Harbour workboat duties

• Occasional dredging crew duties

Job Summary

• Oversee safe and efficient daily operation of the Harbour and Estate

• Provide cost-effective services to Port Users

• Supervise Harbour Foreperson and team members

• 'Hands-on' role alongside team members

• Significant flexibility in attendance required

Key Duties & Responsibilities

General:

• Flexible approach; undertake reasonable duties as required by CEO

Personnel:

• Lead, supervise, motivate the team

• Minimise absenteeism, support well-being

• Employee reviews and Personal Development Plans

• Recruitment and training programmes

• Maintain good employee relations

Plant and Property Maintenance:

• Maintain all NIFHA plant, property, vehicles, roadways, lighting, power

• Report defects promptly

Slipping:

• Manage and control 3 slipways efficiently and safely

Ice Plant:

• Maximise ice plant sales through proper maintenance and operation

• Ensure sales invoicing

Fish Market:

• Safe landing of catches

• Manage and control Fish Market

• Compliance with Codes of Practice and Hygiene Regulations

Environmental/Cleaning/Sanitary/Waste Collection:

• Ensure environmental compliance

• Monitor resource usage (electricity, water)

• Maintain harbour area cleanliness and statutory compliance

Project Management:

• Facilitate and monitor capital/minor works projects

• Report issues to CEO and Project Manager

Regulatory:

• Adhere and enforce Bye-Laws and Codes of Practice

• Ensure dues collection

Health & Safety:

• Maintain safe environment, compliance with legislation

• Implement safety management systems

• Conduct risk assessments

• Report accidents and deficiencies

Logistics:

• Control harbour channels, navigational aids

• Safe berthing of fishing fleet

• Manage harbour and road traffic

Security:

• Manage security camera and access systems per CCTV policy

Berthing:

• Compliance with berthing plan

• Ensure safe unloading for pelagic vessels

Dredging:

• Operate dredger effectively, manage dredging operations

• Act as Dredger Master when required

Continuous Improvement:

• Recommend improvements to systems and procedures

Purchasing:

• Local purchasing, stock control per policy

Finance:

• Invoice and collect dues, rents, charges

• Overall financial responsibility with Administrative Assistant support

Budgetary:

• Work within allocated budgets

Administration:

• Maintain accurate records (invoices, payments, schedules)

Public Relations:

• Maintain good relations with employees, Port Users, stakeholders, and public

Miscellaneous:

• Oversee implementation of Contractors procedures

• Assist with outreach programmes

• Attend meetings as required

• Undertake job-related training

• Comply with NIFHAs Code of Conduct, policies, and procedures

Please Note: This job description outlines duties but is not exhaustive; responsibilities may vary without changing the job's character, purpose, or responsibility level.