Chief Officer
Location: Portsmouth, PO1, 3LT
Salary: Competitive plus excellent benefits
Schedule: Perm/FT/48 hours
As a Chief Officer in our team, you’ll take charge of the day‑to‑day operation of the Deck Department — from navigation and safety leadership to cargo operations and vessel upkeep. Your work will help ensure safe, efficient and purpose‑driven maritime operations that support our customers and the communities we serve.
You’ll create a safe and collaborative onboard environment where colleagues feel supported, operations run smoothly, and critical decisions are made with care and professionalism. Your leadership will contribute to safer seas, trusted operations and a positive impact on those who depend on our services.
What You’ll Do As a Chief Officer
* Plan and supervise the maintenance of all deck areas, including holds, hatches and the superstructure.
* Oversee loading, discharge and ballasting operations, ensuring stability, watertight integrity and compliance with all requirements.
* Manage deck stores — including stowage, inventory and re‑ordering — and inspect all deck equipment and records on joining.
* Act as a Watchkeeping Officer, normally undertaking the 4–8 watch, following Company Procedures and International Regulations.
* Arrange and oversee fire drills, boat drills, oil pollution drills and safety equipment testing.
* Ensure compliance with Oil Pollution Regulations and work closely with the Chief Engineer during bunkering and bilge operations.
* Be responsible for sounding all ballast and fresh water tanks and shall ensure that the proper records are kept in the Tank Sounding Book.
* Be responsible to the Master for the maintenance of vessel security in all its forms.
* Give and receive an appropriate and detailed written handover when leaving / joining the Ship.
Does this sound like you?
You’ll be a great fit for this role if you have:
* SC cleared or have no problem obtaining one.
* A Certificate of Competence as Chief Officer (Unlimited) as a minimum.
* Valid STCW certification, including Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities, Designated Security Duties and Survival Craft.
* An unrestricted ENG1 and British nationality, including a valid British passport.
* A methodical approach and strong organisational capability.
* Familiarity with safety routines, vessel contingency plans and company safety management systems (SMS, IMS, ISM, ISPS).
This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which involves verifying your identity, employment history, nationality, and criminal record to meet government security standards. Depending on the nature of the role, you may also need formal Security Clearance (such as CTC or SC), which includes more detailed background checks on employment, criminal record, and financial history to ensure suitability for working in secure environments. UK residency requirements may apply for certain levels of clearance. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire so we can identify and provide any support you may need to undertake the role effectively.
What We Offer
* Holidays: Competitive holiday package.
* Training and development: Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (including L3 Team Leader and L5 Operations Manager apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression.
* Health and wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco‑managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service.
* Discounts: Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel.
* Charity: Paid volunteering day, tax‑free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity.
* Employee networks: Our networks support inclusion and connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, veterans, and people from all cultural backgrounds.
Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.
At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. We will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working, and as a proud Disability Confident Leader and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard, disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.
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