Marine Systems Engineer

The HSEQ, Security and Delivery Infrastructure Group brings together key professions in one place to focus efforts into achieving our Health, Safety, & Wellbeing, Quality, and Environmental ambitions, and to enable efficient and effective management of our property assets (Lowestoft and East sites; Weymouth and West sites; and RV Cefas Endeavour).
To fully support our Cefas 2030 strategy we are committed to continually improving what we do and how we do it to facilitate the delivery of excellent science by providing and maintaining quality, professional facilities and assets that allow us to deliver safely, securely, efficiently, sustainably, and innovatively.
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Welcome to Cefas (youtube.com), A dynamic person is needed for technical problem solving of marine electronics and diagnostics, providing novel solutions in a fast-paced environment. They will support important seagoing surveys by liaising with the stakeholders as required. Technical knowledge and experience is essential for this role and the post holder will be able to demonstrate their skills and experience in these competences.
The post holder will possess excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) as they will need to liaise effectively with a wide pool of seagoing staff and the Scientists in Charge (SIC’s) to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of the surveys within the deadlines specified. Must have the ability to communicate with manufacturers and suppliers to meet the scientist’s equipment requirements.
This is a workshop and seagoing based role which may include up to 150 days offshore where required, the job holder is required to be on site in Lowestoft or at sea routinely.
In addition, Cefas reserves the right to ask staff to take on additional duties and responsibilities which are commensurate with their grade. Team Leaders and management will have a discussion with staff to explain the changes that are to be made. A new job description will be issued if required., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Delivering at Pace
+ Managing a Quality Service
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
+ Making Effective Decisions, Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
+ For guidance on Civil Service Success Profiles, this video tells you what you’ll need to provide throughout the assessment process with supporting guidance on each step. Link – Success Profiles - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
+ For guidance on how to construct your CV, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link - CV
+ For guidance on how to construct your personal statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link – Statement
+ For guidance on how to construct your lead behaviour statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link – Behaviours
Sift
The sift panel will use the information in your CV and personal statement to assess your experience and how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification section. The sift panel will also assess the lead behaviour statement.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour – Making Effective Decisions. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or, progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed. Interview schedule and details will be confirmed on release of the sift results.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on the Behaviours and your Experience. You may also be required to give a presentation or to complete an exercise as part of the interview process. You will receive further information with your invitation.
Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.
Please be aware that interviews will take place remotely online.
If scores are equal following interview, an assessment of the lead behaviour – Making Effective Decisions. will be used by the panel.
A date has not yet been confirmed for the interviews to take place.
Location
As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s)
Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.
Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.
The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.
Please be aware that this role will be contractually based at Lowestoft.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made., Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
+ Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
+ Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Internal Fraud Database Check
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

The post holder will possess in depth knowledge of marine survey techniques and electronic instrumentation and sensor design. They will be experienced and skilled in delivering surveys and providing technical support and have practical skills and experience in being a ‘competent person’ on and offshore in relation to safety and the management of survey equipment and operations. A good understanding of Mapping, Charting and Geodesy (and the tools used in these areas), as well as expertise in the physics and electronics of acoustic systems especially in the marine survey field is important in this position.
The role must deliver RV developments, manage technical issues, and source/manage equipment & services in support of marine projects. The post holder will be an effective communicator, providing advice to a wide range of stakeholders on marine instrumentation methods, survey design and solutions to scientific project requests, and be self-assured to provide this advice face to face in real-time, as well as present their work in the form of clearly written reports and technical papers They will liaise with manufacturers and equipment designers and foster a culture of collaboration and be required to engage with a number of stakeholders. They will promote and ensure a culture of innovation to drive forward improvements, in delivery and operational matters to ensure we continue to learn from experiences and deliver a professional service to our customers.
Our engineers must play an active role in relation to Health and Safety, so a working knowledge of H&S processes and procedures related to vessel equipment and shore side equipment is essential. They will also have broader technical skills such as wiring basic circuits, electrical fault finding understanding schematic diagrams, and knowledge of equipment shipping and logistics.
Technical problem solving of marine electronics and diagnostics, providing novel solutions in a fast-paced environment is also required.
The successful candidate should demonstrate holding and having obtained a degree in a relevant engineering subject or be able to demonstrate having the relevant equivalent experience demonstrating all criteria stated in this person specification.

Alongside your salary of £31,825, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science contributes £34,285 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Generous annual leave entitlement - Cefas offers 25 days' annul leave on entry (rising to 30 days over first 5yrs) for full-time new entrants to the Civil Service. Employees receive 8 public holidays a year, plus an additional day to mark the late Queen's birthday.
+ Access to learning and development tailored to your role.
+ A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options.
+ A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
+ Eligible to join the Civil Service Pension scheme - more information can be found on the CSP website Home - Civil Service Pension Scheme
+ Staff recognition vouchers.
+ In-year award scheme., New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.