Safety Training and Compliance Support Officer in Gravesend

Job title: Safety Training and Compliance Support Officer

Department: Department of Marine Operations

Reporting to: Safety Training and Compliance Manager

Grade: 7

Salary: £45,189 per annum

Working pattern: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week

Base: Denton (Gravesend, Kent)

Closing date: 31 October 2025

Interview date: 17 November 2025

Who we are:

We are the UK’s biggest port, central to the country’s economy and ambitions for growth. We connect the UK to the world, but we are much more than a conventional port.

We are driven by our purpose to protect and improve the 95 mile stretch of the River Thames which is tidal – from Teddington Lock on the border of Surrey, through the heart of London, Kent, Essex and out to the North Sea.

The role:

This is an exciting opportunity to join a recently established, progressive team that sits at the heart of continual improvement across our fleet, offering the successful candidate the opportunity for training and personal development.

You will play a key role in managing the Vessel Safety Management System (VSMS), coordinating training activities, and ensuring compliance-related records and processes are accurate, accessible, and effectively integrated, with the latest tools.

The post holder will be expected to:

• Support and assist the STAC Team, leading on the development, maintenance, and analysis of integrated safety management records, including training plans, audit schedules, incident reports, and reviews, ensuring effective oversight of the Vessel Safety Management System (VSMS) and marine compliance.
• Take a lead role in STAC Team office administration.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders and training providers to arrange and manage course bookings.
• Actively contribute to the management and delivery of departmental activities.
• Collaborate across directorates, provide technical support and liaise with key stakeholders to ensure the best integration of PLA systems, workflows, and reporting processes.

Key responsibilities:

Working within the STAC Team, the post holder will support the oversight, development, and maintenance of Safety, Training, and Compliance functions and records.

• Training & Development - Develop, implement, and maintain training plans, schedules, and records. By monitoring compliance with training requirements, you will ensure standards are met and elevate any shortfalls promptly.

• Team Organisation & Collaboration - Foster accountability and collaboration within the team while ensuring priorities are managed effectively. Deadlines will be achieved, and workflows kept efficient and structured.

• Incident and Risk Management - Support incident management by maintaining and analysing reports and safety data. This includes assisting investigations, conducting root cause analysis, and helping to implement preventative measures and lessons learned.

• Compliance and Audit Support - Lead internal compliance checks on the Vessel Safety Management System (VSMS) and act as the main contact for external auditors. Using Q-Pulse, you will manage documents, audits, and non-conformities, while analysing data to forecast safety issues and recommend improvements.

• Safety Equipment Oversight - Assist in the inspection, testing, and maintenance of safety equipment, ensuring documentation and records are kept accurate and up to date.

• Stakeholder Engagement - Build strong working relationships with managers, vessel operators, and owners to support collaboration and clear communication across the PLA.

• Continuous Improvement - Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, integrate processes, and enhance efficiency. Your input will support the PLA’s drive for continual improvement and alignment with best practice.

What we are looking for:

We are seeking a proactive and organised individual who can support the team in maintaining and enhancing safety training and compliance.

• Strong IT and administrative skills; proficiency in MS Office and document management systems.
• Knowledge of Safety Management Systems and ISO audit processes.
• Experience in:
  • database creation and management
  • data analysis and bespoke report writing
  • planning and delivering audits
  • scheduling and task management across departments
• Knowledge of risk analysis and mitigation methods.
• Strong educational background in a relevant discipline.
• Familiarity with integration tools such as Power BI and Power Automate desirable.
• Marine qualifications or experience desirable (STCW / RYA).
• Understanding of marine legislation, Merchant Shipping Regulations, IMO, MCA, PLA, and class society standards desirable.

In return we offer a competitive benefits package:

• 28 days annual leave (plus Bank Holidays)
• Medical Cash Plan (Westfield Health)
• Generous pension
• Onsite parking with electric charging
• Access to Occupational Health, Mindfulness, Counselling and Physiotherapy
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Car-leasing scheme (Tusker Cars)
• Access to MyGymDiscounts

For further information or if you would like to have an informal discussion about the position, please contact Rachel De Bont, Safety Training and Compliance Manager at Rachel.debont@pla.co.uk.

The PLA are not registered with the UK Home Office and do not sponsor candidates who require a visa or work permit to work in the UK, therefore an offer of employment cannot be made unless you currently hold the rights to live and work in the UK.