Job Introduction
Hours per week: An average of 43.2 hours per week (including weekends and bank holidays) worked over a shift pattern that covers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Contract type: Fixed Term Contract/Secondment for 3 months
Your new role
Based at Portsmouth International Port (PIP), this post is one of a team of four Port Control Assistants who maintain a central communication / monitoring and information service for the Port covering vessel movements and all operations as well assisting with overall security within Portsmouth International Port. This will involve:
- Providing a central communication point encompassing all aspects of communication - written, verbal, telephones, radio, PIDs and on-line etc.
- Recording and organising all information in line with PIP requirements and quality systems e.g. shipping movements, Pilotage requests, logs, records, diaries etc.
- Maintaining radio watch and all duties associated with shipping, Pilotage, vessel movement, record keeping etc.
- Performing security duties as required by PIP including Terminal Building, alarms, CCTV monitoring, car parking, issuing passes etc.
- Having a working knowledge of all PIP emergency plans and procedures.
- Providing proactive liaison with all Port Users eg. shipping companies, statutory authorities, contractors, etc as required.
Who is the person?
- You need a good understanding of maritime security legislation.
- You should be able to demonstrate your knowledge of emergency procedures and what action you need to take in the event of an incident.
- You must have a flexible approach to work with the ability to co-ordinate and prioritise a wide range of issues.
- 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 public, accurate spoken and written English.
- You should have experience of maintaining a central communication service, including dealing with telephone and personal enquiries, distribution of post, issuing keys and updating logs / records / diaries.
- You need to have an understanding of the reporting procedures for shipping movements in general, with a good working knowledge of Portsmouth Harbour.
- Possession of a VHF radio license or equivalent is essential for this job.
- An understanding of Lloyds Registry of Shipping, AIS and similar marine based applications would be an advantage.
About Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.
We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours.
Our recruitment process
Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants' page: Support for applicants - Careers portal
You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.
Group assessment day/interviews for those shortlisted will be 15th July 2026 at 09:00 - 14:00.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal
If applying as a secondment you will need permission from your current line manager releasing you for this secondment. Please state you have this on your personal statement on the application.
You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career's portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council
All employees and third parties working at the Portsmouth International Port are subject to the Substance Misuse - Drug & Alcohol Testing Policy and the Port reserves the right to carry out with cause and random testing. In line with Home Office requirements, employees must also register their personal details on the government's central database, Access Pass Holder Information Distribution System (APHIDS), as without this registration employees will be denied entry to the Restricted Area (RA) of Portsmouth International Port.
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.
If you need additional support looking for roles, you may be eligible for help under our Connect to Work programme, for more information please visit Connect to Work - Portsmouth City Council
