Radio Navigation Warnings (RNW) Junior Watchkeeper

Job summary

The RNW Watchkeepers perform a key role, taking responsibility to meet our requirement for the dissemination of navigationally significant information to support the Safety of Life at Sea Convention 1974.

The RNW Watchkeeping Team provide a 24 / 7 service to ensure incoming data is assessed for urgent risks to the safety of navigation and as required, promulgated immediately, as Maritime Safety Information in accordance with the requirements of IMO resolution A706(17).

The RNW team fulfils the day-to-day operational functions of NAVAREA I Co-ordinator and UK National Co-ordinator within the World-Wide Navigation Warning Service (WWNWS).

The team also provides separate bespoke services for the Royal Navy during peacetime.

The team assess incoming data for urgent risks to the safety of navigation and as required, promulgate immediately as Maritime Safety Information in accordance with the requirements of International Maritime Organization (IMO) resolution A706(17).

The B3 RNW Junior Watchkeeper role is a development role postholders will be paired with experienced B2 RNW Watchkeepers and will undergo a period of training and development, following a staged programme, culminating in a final assessment which if successfully completed will secure progression in to the B2 RNW Watchkeeper role.

There may be an opportunity for internal candidates who pass the board and are placed on a reserve list, to undertake training as a reserve Watchkeeper , depending on their releasability.

Job description

The role will be contractually based at our Head Office in Taunton; you must be able to travel to the office as and when required.

The current requirement is for 1 watchkeeper within the Watchbill to be on-site at all times.

• Postholders must be able to be 'logged on AND on-watch within 45 minutes when off watch but on call. There may still be a requirement to travel on site during this time due to operational requirements.
• Postholders must be able to attend an alternative operations centre in a pre-established off-site location, using their own means of transport, if operations cannot be maintained at the UKHO for any reason.
• Shift working will be on a watch rotation basis, with all watchkeepers undertaking day watches, night watches, and being on call within the watch pattern.

A full breakdown can be provided please email

There will be an Initial training period of 12 weeks minimum in office, followed with a period of continuation training, to consolidate.

Your work will be validated through a process of continuous assessment of the postholder's experience, knowledge, skills, and attitude to progress to B2.

Issue Radio Navigation Warnings (RNW) :

• Correctly assess MSI received during the period of duty for UK coastal navigational warnings (WZ) or NAVAREA Warnings.
• Issue appropriate Navigation Warnings in Englishand in accordance with the Joint IMO / IHO / WMO Manual on Maritime Safety Information(IHO S-53)
• Issue Navigation Warnings within specified times of receipt of original data in RNW.

Deliver products and services required by the Defence customer :

• Correctly assess MSI received during the period of duty for promulgation to specific Defence customers.
• Issue all Defence related warnings within agreed times of receipt of original data in RNW.

General tasks working in conjunction with a senior watchkeeper :

• Maintain RNW operational lists, displays, publications and records. Archiving RNW records in accordance with current practices.
• Other day to day operational tasks associated with / or in support of the role of NAVAREA I Co-ordinator and UK National Coordinator (, advising on procedural matters, liaising with external civil / military authorities on operational matters affecting RNW).
• Support Senior watchkeepers with briefs to external visitors and internal staff as required regarding the role that RNW fulfil.
• Undertake training to support development as laid out in the B3 to B2 progression plan.

Additional tasks :

• Monitor Source Data Receipt (SDR) inbox out of hours.
• Act as Customer Services point of contact outside office hours to issue emergency permits.
• As and when appropriate and capacity allows, support wider Operations Teams with the assessment of incoming data.

Person specification

• Successful applicants for the role will work alongside another watchkeeper assessing a continuous flow of information for navigational significance and issuing resultant warnings within a short timeframe a strong team work ethic and a team player is essential and maintaining focus whilst delivering at pace is key.
• When issuing Navigation Warnings, the watchkeeper is directly representing the United Kingdom and NAVAREA I, so the successful candidate will need to be confident with this remit.
• You will be engaging with mariners and stakeholders across national and international organisations along with internal stakeholders and subject matter experts.

A genuine interest in ensuring the safety of the Mariner at sea is fundamental to the role.

You will be assessing information to determine maritime navigational risk. A good knowledge of the maritime domain and terminology is essential.

Experience in a maritime navigational role is preferable.

• Successful applicants for the role will be issuing safety critical Navigation Warnings in English to vessels at sea, so a high level of accuracy and good attention to detail is essential additionally an understanding of Maritime English is useful
• An understanding of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and the World-Wide Navigation Warning Service (WWNWS) is valuable

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process :

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form :

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process :

• Knowledge of Maritime Safety Information (MSI) and Radio Navigation Warnings.
• An understanding of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and the World-Wide Navigation Warning Service (WWNWS).
• Sound judgment in determining what constitutes a danger to navigation.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of 29,539, UK Hydrographic Office contributes 8,557 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.