Job description for ROV Pilot Technician

If you are excited by the prospect of working with industry leading subsea technology in a challenging environment, then this could be the ideal opportunity for you. The ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) team are looking for Pilot Technicians to join them as part of the wider SALMO (Salvage and Marine Operations) department.

Our SALMO team is the lead across the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for the provision of marine salvage and emergency response. Our specialists including Master Mariners, Marine Engineers, Naval Architects, Environmental Scientists, ROV Pilots, AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) Operators and Divers provide a centre of expertise for subsea activities and marine operations. Our operations are varied and include salvage assistance to damaged surface vessels, location of aircraft on the sea-bottom, survey of WWII wrecks, towage of warships and submarines, emergency response preparedness exercises and underwater engineering support to resolve defects on Navy platforms at home and overseas.

The ROV Team delivers a discrete capability within SALMO using cutting edge commercial ROV technology to provide deep water salvage outputs in support of SALMO and wider MOD objectives. You will be responsible for ROV operations, mobilising, operating and maintaining SALMO work class ROV systems both offshore and onshore.

This role is operationally important and as such attracts allowances (SALMO Terms and Conditions) depending on the working situation the employee is undertaking at that time.

What you’ll be doing

• Operate and maintain ROV systems onshore and offshore
• Ensure that the ROV systems are operational and available to conduct investigations, inspections and under-water interventions in accordance with the project deliverables and applicable regulations
• Operate as a Senior Pilot Tech or shift supervisor if required and assessed as competent to do so
• Be prepared to work offshore for up to 120 days per year

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• ROV Pilot Technician with demonstrated competency equivalent to IMCA ROV Pilot/Technician Grade II (R/R04) as a minimum or demonstrable experience in work class vehicles
• Demonstrable, recent experience in mobilising, operating and maintaining work class ROV systems
• A nationally recognised technical or trade qualification (military service qualification and/or an appropriate level national vocational qualification is acceptable) completed in one of the following subjects; electrical, mechanical, electronic or hydraulic

This role is subject to Retained Grade Terms and Conditions and differ from the DE&S standard Terms and Conditions.

For SALMO Retained Grade seeking promotion, please refer to Part 2, Section 10.2 of the SALMO Retained Grade Handbook.

Due to the nature of this role, you are:

• Be fit to pass and maintain a 2 yearly ENG1 seafarers medical (no geographical limitations)
• This assignment is open to sole UK nationals only
• Be required to enlist as a Royal Navy Sponsored Reserve
• Be expected to work extended hours as and when required in support of operational commitments
• Be required to live within 60 minutes travelling time of HMNB Devonport
• Have an in date current UK Driving Licence

We champion a balanced approach to work at DE&S. When not offshore, regular in-person attendance in office is required for at least 3 days per week to foster the benefits of face-to-face collaboration, we also offer flexibility in hours to support a healthy work-life balance. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourself with the site, the team, and your role.

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Improve Engineering Capability- Supervised Practitioner
• Technical Decision Making – Practitioner
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £51,175, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,817 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Full time staff employed for less than 5 years are entitled to 26.5 days’ annual leave per year, rising to 31.5 days per year after 5 years of service
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Market-leading employer pension contribution of around 27%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded professional qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of – and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

Further Information

More information can be found below:

• DE&S Little Book of Big Benefits: https://bit.ly/3FEb54v
• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack
• SALMO Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/SALMO-Terms-and-Conditions

Selection Process Details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

1. Pre-sift – We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.

2. Sift – Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills

Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.

3. Interview – If you’re invited to interview, you’ll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.