Job description for ROV Supervisor

Ready to dive into a career like no other? If you’re driven by innovation, thrive in high-stake environments, and inspired by the idea of working with cutting-edge subsea technology, then this is your moment. The ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) team within the Ministry of Defence’s SALMO (Salvage and Marine Operations) unit is on the lookout for a passionate and skilled ROV Supervisor to lead operations at the forefront of underwater engineering and marine recovery.

Why join SALMO? SALMO is the MOD’s centre of excellence for marine salvage and emergency response. Our multidisciplinary team, ranging from Master Mariners and Naval Architects to Environmental Scientists and Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV) /Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) Operators, delivers critical support to UK Defence operations around the globe. Whether it’s locating downed aircraft on the seabed, surveying wrecks, towing warships, or conducting emergency response drills, our work is as varied as it is vital.

As the ROV Supervisor, you’ll be at the helm of a highly skilled team, overseeing the safe and effective delivery of deep-water salvage missions using state-of-the-art commercial ROV systems, offering a unique leadership opportunity that blends technical oversight with operational command.

You’ll manage a small, close-knit team, including pilot technicians, surveyors, and maintainers, both offshore and onshore, and report directly to the ROV Superintendent. Your leadership will be instrumental in ensuring mission success in some of the most challenging and rewarding environments imaginable.

The role offers a good work life balance, only deploying at sea for a maximum of 120 days per year with the remaining time taken against leave, training, and office-based activity at HMNB Devonport.

What’s in it for you? This is more than just a job; it’s a chance to make a real impact. The role is operationally critical and comes with additional allowances under SALMO Terms and Conditions, reflecting the importance and intensity of the work you’ll be doing.

Nationality, visas, and vetting: For security reasons this role is open to sole UK nationals only. A ‘sole UK national’ refers to an individual who holds citizenship solely in the UK, without dual citizenship or nationality from another country. We’re unable to offer visa sponsorship.

Join with SC clearance and can obtain DV once in post: This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 10 years and obtain Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you have been recruited for. If it isn’t obtained or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining DV security clearance can be a lengthy process. You’ll join us once Security Check (SC) clearance is obtained, and then the more enhanced DV checks will continue after you’ve started your employment. If SC clearance isn’t obtained within 12 months, we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made.

What you’ll be doing

• Deploy afloat to deliver the in-service operation of the ROV system and work offshore for up to 120 days per year
• Lead and manage the ROV operational team whether deployed or at base
• Support the ROV Superintendent in planning routine and reactive deployments
• Ensure all ROV maintenance is carried out in accordance with the planned maintenance system and defects are reported in a timely manner
• Create and update routine and emergency procedures for use with the SALMO ROV systems
• Ensure the SALMO ROV capability is operated in line with industry best practice
• Manage all deployments in a the safe and environmentally sound manner, being responsible for Operating Safely, adhering to the deployment Safety Management Plan and any platform interface responsibilities

Person specification

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

• Lead Criterion – Have experience of providing technical advice at a senior level and leading the delivery of successful engineering outcomes in multidisciplinary projects
• Have a wide-ranging depth and breadth of technical experience in subsea activities or marine operations
• Experience managing complex /challenging work with evidence of technical problem-solving and risk management

AND 

Hold (as minimum) either:

• STCW (1) Master (Unlimited) or STCW (1) Chief Engineer (Unlimited) 

OR 

A relevant Professional body/institution, be professionally registered as either:

• Chartered Master Mariner (CMMar); or
• Chartered Engineer (CEng); or
• Chartered Marine Engineering (CMarEng); or
• Chartered Scientist (CSci); or
• Chartered Marine Scientist (CMarSci); or
• Chartered Marine Technician (CMarTech); or
• Chartered Geographer (CGeog).

OR 

• An Engineering, Science, Technical, Technology or Marine based qualification at RQF Level 4

AND EITHER:

• IMCA accredited ROV Supervisor (R/RO2) Certification or ROV Superintendent Certification / AUV Senior Survey Engineer, with at least 360 days of documented offshore experience and a minimum of 100 hours piloting an ROV or AUV at Grade I level

OR

• IMCA accredited Superintendent with work class vehicles, with at least 180 days of logbook demonstrated offshore experience.

AND

• Be a Sole UK National; and
• Full UK Driving Licence; and

Be able to satisfy requirements of:

•  2-Yearly ENG1 Seafarers Medical (2)
•  Be enlisted as a Royal Navy Sponsored Reserve (2)

(1) STCW = International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.

(2) For recruitment purposes, external candidates do not need to hold these (including no prior commercial diving experience) but must have no known reasons not to achieve this within 6 months of employment.

Note: Alternatives to RQF listed above (which cover England, Wales, and Northern Ireland only), is the Scottish SCQF or international equivalent qualification backed up by a statement of comparability from UK ENIC.

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.

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

• Core Behaviour 1: Leadership – CSBC4
• Core Behaviour 2: Making Effective Decisions – CSBC4
• Technical Competence 1: ECF_01 – Suitable Systems and Systems Thinking – Practitioner
• Technical Competence 2: ECF_03 – Supportable Technical Solutions – Practitioner

Offered Benefits

Alongside your salary of £70,300, Ministry of Defence contributes £20,365 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded 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

• Civil Service Recruitment Principles: Recruitment Principles – Civil Service Commission
• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-Terms-and-Conditions
• Civil Service Code: The Code – Civil Service Commission

Any personal data that you provide during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice which can be accessed here.

Please note as a Disability Confident Leader we want to ensure you receive any reasonable adjustments that you need throughout the recruitment process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments, you can let us know on your online application under the section ‘Please indicate and give details of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the recruitment process.’

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 (CV Review) listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert.

Please Note: In the event of a tied score at interview, the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on the relative importance of the assessed competencies as per the hierarchy below:

• 1st: Core Behaviour 1
• 2nd: Core Behaviour 1
• 3rd: Technical Competencies
• 4th: CV Review

In the event of a further tie using the method above, we reserve the right to utilise an additional assessment.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact department via email: DESHR-WSC-PMOCOMPLAINTS@mod.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Recruitment Complaints – Civil Service Commission