Deputy Head of Counter Pollution and Salvage
| Posting date: | 05 August 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £54,857 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 26 August 2025 |
| Location: | Southampton |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 418060/1 |
Summary
Could you use your expertise in maritime regulations, emergency planning, and environmental protection to safeguard our seas and coastal communities?
If so, we’d love to hear from you!
At the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), our Counter Pollution and Salvage (CPS) team plays a vital role in protecting our seas. We lead the development and delivery of policies and standards that keep the UK prepared to prevent and respond to marine pollution. As the National Competent Authority, we ensure the highest levels of safety, readiness, and environmental protection along our coastline. By joining us, you’ll help safeguard marine environments, protect coastal communities, and make a real difference in preserving our oceans for future generations.
Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday.
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Read more in the Benefits section below!
Find out more about what it's like working at Maritime & Coastal Agency:
MCA roles: Maritime and Coastguard Agency - Department for Transport Careers
Role Purpose As Deputy, be able to act on behalf of the Head of CPS on routine policy and operational matter and act as temporary substitute in their absence. Represent the Head of CPS at both national and international fora where appropriate and directed.
Support the development of the UK's Maritime Pollution Prevention, Preparedness & Response policy and strategy, supported by other Government Departments.
Support CPS in the development, maintenance and implementation of Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC) prevention, preparedness and response standards nationally on behalf of MCA as the UK Competent Authority.
Establish and maintain close liaison with stakeholders for the provision of advice in the preparation of Pollution Response Plans in accordance with the Civil Contingencies Act.
Providing, managing and directing counter pollution resources to deal with actual, or the threat of pollution, incidents.
Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:
- Assist in the development of policy, procedures and the implementation of standards nationally, on behalf of MCA as the UK Competent Authority.
- In the absence of the Head of CPS manage the Counter Pollution Response and Salvage function ensuring compliance with best practice and procedures and, by demonstrating a high standard of leadership, strengthen working relationships within and external to the Directorate.
- Support the Head of CPS in ensuring effective corporate governance, by maintaining the highest standard of financial probity, supplying accurate management information, managing risk and effective business planning.
- Champion Agency policies on people management, information security, health, safety, security and the environment, financial management and governance, and absence management.
- Provide day to day support to CPS Officers in all aspects of pollution prevention preparedness and response mitigation for ports, harbours and oil handling facilities, and contingency planning.
Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.
For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.
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