Oil Spill Responder in Southampton

At Oil Spill Response Ltd (OSRL), we believe passionately about unlocking your potential so that, as an integral part of our Response Team, you can help overcome the complex environmental challenges that oil spills present. For this reason, we are seeking highly motivated team players who share our passion for safeguarding the environment to join us in Southampton to begin a fulfilling career as an Oil Spill Responder.

OSRL is the largest international industry-funded cooperative that exists to respond to oil spills wherever in the world they may occur, by providing preparedness, response and intervention services. We are wholly owned by most of the environmentally responsible oil and gas companies, and our membership represents the majority of global oil production. We currently employ circa 288 people across 13 locations around the world.

Your career with OSRL will begin with an intensive 12-week training programme to give you the skills needed to effectively support oil spill response operations on a global basis. As a Responder, your typical day will focus on maintaining your readiness to respond, such as continuous training to hone your personal competence and supporting the maintenance and rehabilitation of our specialist oil spill response equipment. These activities are all designed to allow you to react safely, swiftly and with confidence to achieve a positive impact wherever in the World an oil spill occurs.

Main accountabilities:

• To provide safe, prompt and efficient support to spill incidents, exercises, preparedness projects and client engagement activities globally.
• Ensure that all activities are carried out with due regard to personal safety, the safety of others, and environmental considerations in line with company policies and procedures.
• Be on call as part of the duty team, including supporting spill mobilisations and travelling globally at short notice.
• Undertake the efficient maintenance and rehabilitation of operational and support equipment to the highest standards and in compliance with safety requirements.
• Proactively develop and maintain appropriate knowledge and skills.
• Provide a source of expertise and assistance to other departments.
• Act as a representative of the company to maintain the standing as a high-profile global leader in oil spill preparedness and response through industry forums, conferences and contact with external stakeholders.
• Provide input into the ongoing technical development of spill response equipment, strategies and techniques through internal technical forums, working groups and practical experience.
• Develop and update operational guidelines and maintenance procedures for new and existing equipment to ensure safe and effective operation.

Role requirements:

• A tangible desire to make a positive impact.
• Clear aptitude for practical problem solving.
• A positive can-do attitude.
• A willingness to be on-call and to be sent anywhere in the world at a moment's notice.
• An ability to work long hours in the field in challenging environments.
• Strong team-working skills.
• Great communication and interpersonal skills.
• A strong safety ethos.
• Possess a full, clean UK driving licence.
• Live within one hour of our Southampton base or be prepared to relocate.
• Subject to OEUK medical. The medical will be arranged by OSRL.

Our team is purposefully made up of people with a wide variety of backgrounds, so if you possess any of the skills, qualifications and experience from the following categories, we would like to hear from you:

• Engineering: An Engineering degree and/or experience in a practical mechanical engineering or marine engineering role would be valuable to us.
• Environmental: Experience in an environmental role, preferably with a degree in Environmental Science, Marine Biology, Oceanology or similar, will be beneficial.
• Disaster Management/Logistics: Experience and/or knowledge of working in civil contingencies planning, disaster management or complicated international logistics, in particular with the armed forces, is of interest to us.
• Marine: Knowledge of seamanship and an understanding of tides, currents and charts are valuable. A background as a deck officer in the armed forces, coastguard or merchant fleets is of interest to us.
• Language Capability: All candidates need excellent written and verbal English language skills. However, due to the global nature of our work, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese and Arabic languages would be advantageous. We would particularly welcome applications from fluent French and Spanish speakers.
• Service Leavers: Many of the skills developed during military service are directly transferable to oil spill response.

Working with OSRL: A starting salary in the range of £30,450 - £35,000 (depending on experience), with a generous benefits package, including:

• 10% Pension contribution
• Private medical insurance
• Income protection
• Health Cash Plan
• Hybrid working
• 25 days' annual leave plus Bank Holidays

This is a great opportunity to become part of OSRL and to further develop your career. People are key to our success, and we are committed to ensuring a fair and equal working environment for all staff.

To apply, please select the apply button and submit a detailed letter of application that clearly demonstrates your suitability for the role and your CV by Sunday, 1st February 2026. If selected for interview, you will be invited to attend a one-day assessment centre on 11th February 2026. If successful in securing this role, your career and employment with us will commence with an initial 12-week training programme, commencing in March 2026, where you will acquire the skills, knowledge and understanding needed in mitigating the impact of spills.

We are interested in those who have held the role of Disaster Management Operative, Oil Spill Responder, Emergency Response Technician, Spill Response Specialist, Environmental Responder, or Field Response Technician.