Assistant Harbour Master/Wye Navigation Officer - 32066

We are seeking a dynamic and motivated individual to take on a dual role as Assistant Harbour Master Assistant and Wye Navigation Officer to join our small but dedicated team. This role is central to ensuring the harbour fulfils its statutory responsibilities as a competent harbour authority.

Lydney Harbour is a small unique asset located on the Severn Estuary in Lydney, Gloucestershire. The Environment Agency are the Statutory Harbour Authority and Duty Holder under the Port and Marine Facilities Safety Code. We are the Navigation Authority for the River Wye Navigation, ensuring the safe management of navigation.

The dual role combines:
Supporting the safe and efficient operation of the harbour
Deputising for the Harbour Master when required
Acting as Navigation Officer, responsible for navigational safety, compliance, and oversight of river traffic and stakeholders. The role blends operational work, navigational duties, and stakeholder engagement. Responsibilities range from maintenance and supporting harbour users to monitoring conditions, updating safety protocols, reporting, and incident response:
Assist in the safe and efficient operation of the harbour
Oversee navigational safety, ensuring full compliance with maritime regulations and standards
Monitor and respond to navigational factors including tides, weather conditions, and marine traffic
Support the implementation and ongoing delivery of the Port Marine Safety Code and the Wye Navigation legislation
Perform manual and operational duties
Planning, reporting, meetings and stakeholder communication
Producing reports, engaging effectively with customers, colleagues, and stakeholders
Respond to emergencies/on-call/out-of-hours duties

Collaborating with the National Navigation Team and stakeholders, you'll help shape the site's long-term strategy, implement new standards, and support asset management across the West Midlands.

Everyone starting in a new role will be welcomed into the team and given all the training and support needed. As part of your comprehensive induction, you will be provided with all the equipment required for your role.

West Midlands Waterways is a small, dedicated and collaborative team, responsible for Navigation in the West Midlands Area. We are committed to keeping Lydney Harbour safe, compliant and efficient as per the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC) and complying with our responsibilities to manage navigation as per The Wye Navigation Order - 2002.
The role has a strong degree of independence and requires initiative but also working close working with colleagues across operations and navigation.

•Strong awareness of safe working practises and risk awareness in a marine or operational environment
•Navigation experience (professional or recreational) and familiarity with safety-critical environments is desirable
•Knowledge of statutory frameworks e.g. Port Marine Safety Code/Wye Navigation Legislation is desirable, or ability to learn quickly
•Willing to travel to Rivers Wye/Lugg for training & operational duties
•Physically capable of manual tasks (lifting, carrying, and small-scale maintenance/repairs)
•Confident communicator with customers, colleagues, and stakeholders
•Proactive problem-solver, able to take initiative, especially in time-critical or emergency situations
•Ability to build constructive relationships with local users, partner organisations, and regulators
•Commitment to continuous technical and practical learning, including overnight courses
•Able to deputise for the Harbour Master when required
•Competent in MS Office; accurate reporting and record-keeping
•Flexibility – willing to work some evenings weekends, out of hours, including emergency response
•Full UK driving licence
•Distance-able to reach Lydney Harbour within one hour

Your contractual base will be Lydney Harbour. The role is 37 hours per week with flexible arrangements. This role attracts an uplift for working non-sociable hours.

Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate in incident response duties when the need to respond arises. Having an incident role is an essential part of working for the Environment Agency and an active way to support communities and prevent harm to the environment further information and incident response can be found within your candidate pack.

We offer an attractive and competitive benefits package including:
LGPS pension scheme, competitive salary, flexible working and a starting annual leave allowance of 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata).

To discuss the role/or further information, please contact:
Zie.Kalsi@environment-agency.gov.uk

Regulates, maintains and promotes navigation on Environment Agency controlled waters.

Please describe the skills, knowledge and experience you would bring to this aspect of the role. In your answer, you may wish to include any relevant understanding of navigation, harbour or port operations, statutory and regulatory responsibilities or experience gained in other safety-critical operational environments.

Making sure your own behaviour reduces risks to the health and safety of yourself and others.

Please provide an example of a time when you identified a health and safety risk in an operational environment.
How did you assess and manage the situation and what was the outcome?

Addresses the needs of internal and external customers, provides rapid and effective response.

Please describe a time when you went out of your way to deliver a high level of customer service. What did you do, and what was the impact on the customer partner relationship?

Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.

Please describe a situation where you used different communication methods to present your views in a convincing way. What message were you communicating, how did you adapt your style or method to suit different audiences, and why?