Operational Cover Assistant

**Operational Cover Assistant**

**Permanent**

**Salary: Band 6 - £27,363 to £31,067 p.a.**

**Shift allowance - £6,020 to £6,835 p.a.**

**Contractual overtime: £8,950 to £10,162 p.a.**

**(Gross pay including allowances £42,333 to £48,064 p.a.)**

**Hours: An average of 43.13 hours per week (including weekends and bank holidays) worked over a variable shift pattern covering 24/7 operations. The shift pattern covers 3 shifts, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.**

**The Service**:
Portsmouth City Council (PCC) controls all its maritime activities through the Port Service. Portsmouth International Port (PIP) comprises the Cruise & Ferry Port (CFP), Flathouse and Albert Johnson Quays and the Camber.

**What is the role?**

Working as an Operational Cover Assistant, the role requires post holders to provide cover for both the Freight Security Assistant (FSA) and Port Control Officer (PCO) posts.

This is a fixed shift pattern role working alongside a team of FSA’s and a PCO.

Where no position is allocated to work during a shift, the post holder is expected to provide support for other port operations as well as cover for training.

Please click **HERE **for the full job profile which details all of the main duties of the role

**Who is the person?**

You must have:

- A background in a port environment across operational areas and activities.
- Good working knowledge and understanding of DGHAR, ISPS code and Health and Safety At Work Act accompanied by suitable certification such as ‘Managing Safely’ or better.
- Have a working knowledge of the Pilotage Act.
- Good computer skills using a variety of software packages.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills along with customer service skills, be customer focused and be able to demonstrate your ability in communicating with people at all levels including the general public, in accurate spoken and written English.
- The ability to work as part of the wider team but also use own initiative to take control of situations effectively, efficiently and calmly.
- Flexible in your approach in order to meet the demands of the business.
- VHF license holder.
- Experience in working outdoors in all weathers, as the role will require an element of outside working when conducting rounds and marshalling vehicles.
- Be resilient and able to work in a high demand, service delivery led environment.
- Be fit and able to work in a high-risk environment and of conducting security duties such as searching of vehicles and persons, being capable of entering and exiting high vehicles and walking for extended durations.
- Hold a valid and clean, full UK driving license.

Desirable:

- Extended experience in a port/marine environment.
- Experience in a security related environment/role.
- A demonstrable history of personal and professional development.
- A desire to progress through formal and informal training and development.

The role will require supplied uniform to be worn at all times, as well as personal protective equipment as directed by the service and in line with required safe systems of work and risk assessments.

**Closing date: 27th December 2024**

**Interviews: From 2nd January 2025**

**It is now standard practice for the Port to conduct Drug & Alcohol testing at the pre-employment stage. This will be conducted as part of the interview process on the day for those selected for interview, if not already part of the Port Service.**

**You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.**

We really appreciate our employees and fully realise they are essential to our success and look to offer an inclusive, supportive working environment where employees can reach their potentials with a healthy work life balance, offering the following rewards:

- A generous pension scheme
- Up to 31 days annual leave per year pro rata + bank holidays
- A range of retail discounts via our reward portal offering discounts at retailers including IKEA, Currys, Tesco
- Free Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellbeing support
- Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities including apprenticeships
- Potential to purchase additional annual leave
- Business travel support and initiatives, including bike loans