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First Officer Executive

Scottish Government
15 hours ago
Full-time
On-site
United Kingdom

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Scottish Government seeks an experienced First Officer Executive to lead the deck department aboard MPV Jura, acting as deputy to the Commanding Officer and responsible for all deck operations, maintenance and safety management system compliance, stability calculations and the supervision of deck personnel, with duties spanning RIBs harbour operations and statutory documentation while remaining ready for enforcement tasks. The successful candidate will hold a Masters Unlimited Certificate of Competency, a valid ENG1 with declared limitations, all relevant STCW qualifications, and proven MPV First Officer Executive experience. Apply online with a CV and a 750 word supporting statement addressing the success profile; ensure you meet essential qualifications and UK right to work; sponsorship is not available; internal candidates and Common Citizenship Organisations only; assessments w/c 17 August 2026; deadline 4 August 2026.

Ready to take command of challenge, responsibility and impact? Join us as First Officer (Executive) on our Marine Inspection vessels and help steer the future of Scotland’s maritime operations.

 

We are seeking an experienced and highly capable First Officer (Executive) to lead our deck department and serve as the principal deputy to the Commanding Officer. This pivotal role carries responsibility for the management of all deck operations, maintenance programmes, safety compliance and the effective supervision of deck personnel. You will ensure vessel stability, oversee deck equipment, RIBs and harbour operations, and maintain statutory documentation while upholding all Safety Management System (SMS) procedures and driving corrective actions where required.

 

This role will be based on board MPV Jura.

Responsibilities:
  • Act as head of the deck department and deputy to the Commanding Officer.
  • Oversee all deck operations, maintain lifting gear and certification, and associated safety requirements.
  • Manage deck maintenance, report defects, and ensure SMS procedures are followed.
  • Conduct draught readings, trim/stability calculations, and maintain statutory records.
  • Lead and instruct deck and catering personnel on procedures and operational tasks.
  • Carry out British Sea Fishery Officer duties and support enforcement operations.
  • Maintain training records, RIBs/equipment, medical care stores.
  • Investigate non-conformities, implement corrective actions, and maintain operational documentation.
  • Keep navigational watches as required and perform other duties at the discretion of the Commanding Officer.
Qualifications
  • Masters (Unlimited) Certificate of competency.
  • Valid ENG1 Certificate – Must declare limitations prior to taking on role.
  • All relevant STCW qualifications. 

 

Please confirm you hold these qualifications.  If you do not hold all of these qualifications, your application will not be considered.

Success profile:
 
Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of behaviours, experience and technical criteria (if applicable) that candidates will be assessed on. 
 
Technical / Professional Skills:
 
  • Operational leadership and Management – Working level
  • Data and Insight – Working level
  • Delivery and decision making as pace – Practitioner level
  • Adaptability to Change – Working level

 

You can find out more about the skills required here:  ODP Competency framework

Experience:
 
  • You must have demonstrable experience of working as a First Officer Executive on a MPV.
 
How to apply:
 
Apply online, providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 750 words) providing evidence of how you meet the behaviours, experience and technical skills listed in the Success Profile above. Both the CV and the supporting statement provided will be assessed against the criteria for the role.
 
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
 
Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.
 
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation.
 
Assessments are scheduled for w/c 17 August 2026 however this may be subject to change. 
 
Apply before 23:59 on 4 August 2026.  This post is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship Organisations only (external candidates and staff from UK Other Government Departments are not eligible to apply for this vacancy).

Recruitment Principles:
As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.
 
About us:
The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.
Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, observing the Civil Service Code and working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
 
Working pattern:
Your annual leave allowance is 175 days. Leave is calculated pro-rata based on the period of time employed. Typical trip lengths are 22 days on, 22 days off or 28 days on 26 days off.
 
Security checks:
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).
You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, and read about the Government Vetting Charter, or about all the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide. 
Internal candidates may need to gain higher security clearance than they currently hold if successful in their application.
 
Equality statement 
We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.  
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them. 
 
Further information 
Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website. 
Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.