Navy Command - King's Harbour Master - Port Conservancy Officer

At Navy Command, we lead, support, and sustain the Royal Navy across every theatre of operations. We coordinate the people, platforms, and missions that keep the Fleet ready for todays challenges and tomorrows opportunities. Together, we uphold centuries of naval tradition while driving innovation that ensures the Royal Navys readiness to protect our nation and secure our future.

As the authority responsible for generating the Royal Navys operational capability, Director Force Generation ensures ships, submarines, aviation, commando forces, and supporting elements achieve the required levels of readiness. By balancing capability, risk, and operational demand, the directorate provides assured force output and acts as the Fleets scheduling authority, ensuring the Royal Navy can deliver whenever and wherever required.

You'll be based at HMNB Portsmouth, one of the oldest and busiest naval bases in the world. It is home to the Royal Navys aircraft carriers (HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales) alongside destroyers, frigates, and specialist squadrons. As a vibrant hub of maritime power and innovation, Portsmouth sustains the Fleet and supports thousands of personnel.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Are you a dedicated professional passionate about maintaining navigational safety and operational excellence? Navy Command invites you to take on the vital role of Port Conservancy Officer, where you will lead port safety initiatives, oversee critical dredging and mooring activities, and manage key stakeholder relationships. Join us to ensure the safe and efficient movement of Royal Navy vessels at HMNB Portsmouth, safeguarding personnel and assets while supporting the seamless delivery of naval operations. Step into a role where your expertise makes a tangible difference to the Royal Navys mission readiness and resilience.

The Port Conservancy Officer (PCO) leads all port conservancy matters, playing a pivotal role in maintaining navigational safety, overseeing dredging and mooring licensing, and managing key relationships with government agencies and stakeholders.

The PCO is responsible for the regular inspection and maintenance of all MOD-owned navigation buoys and lights, ensuring their correct positioning, material condition, and operational functionality. This includes arranging timely rectification of defects and ensuring that all navigational hazardssuch as wrecks and obstructionsare accurately charted and promulgated through official channels like NAVWARN and Local Notices to Mariners. Maintaining an up-to-date portfolio of navigation charts and publications is also a core duty, underpinning safe navigation within the port.

In addition, the PCO oversees dredging activities to maintain navigable depths, advising on quality and managing related contracts in collaboration with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation. The role also manages the ports mooring licensing regime in partnership with Crown Estates, ensuring orderly and compliant use of moorings within the DPP.

We value flexible ways of working. This role requires regular onsite attendance (around 60% of the working week) to benefit from face-to-face collaboration, while offering flexibility of hours to support work life balance and business needs. During the initial period, you may be asked to attend more frequently to get familiar with the site, team, and responsibilities

What you'll be doing

Ensure navigational safety by inspecting and maintaining all MOD-owned aids to navigation, and managing the accurate charting and notification of hazards.

Oversee and manage dredging operations and mooring licensing within the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth, ensuring compliance and operational efficiency.

Maintain and update navigation charts, publications, and tidal data to support safe and effective port operations.

Liaise with government agencies, including the General Lighthouse Authority and UK Hydrographic Office, to coordinate marine data and navigational information.

Monitor harbour developments and environmental issues, providing expert advice and ensuring alignment with MOD interests and regulations.

Support departmental projects and attend key meetings to drive continuous improvement and effective port management.

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

Demonstrable experience or education in maritime-related fields such as Environmental Science, Hydrography, Oceanography, Conservation, Navigation, or Surveying.

Proven ability to manage navigational safety tasks, including inspection and maintenance of navigation aids and accurate reporting of hazards.

Experience in overseeing port operations such as dredging activities and mooring licensing, with effective stakeholder and contract management skills.

Essential qualifications:

STCW Officer of the Watch (OOW) Unlimited (Reg II/1) Certificate of Competency or Royal Navy Charge Hydrographer or BSc (Hons) Hydrography or BSC (Hons) Ocean Exploration and Surveying