Chief Officer

Serco; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and development opportunities

Health and wellbeing programs

Discounts across retailers

Volunteer and charitable giving

Job summary

Serco is seeking a Chief Officer for offshore operations onboard a vessel. Reporting directly to the Master, you will support safe operation, maintenance, and readiness, ensuring compliance with maritime regulations and company procedures.

You will lead the Deck Department, oversee cargo, ballast, navigation, and safety systems, and mentor junior officers while maintaining comprehensive records. The role requires UK CPD-level certification, STCW, and BPSS clearance.

Qualifications

• Experience as Chief Officer or Senior Deck Officer in offshore vessel operations.
• Strong leadership and organisational skills; able to mentor Junior Deck Officers.
• Proven ability to manage cargo operations, stability, ballast, and safety systems.

Responsibilities

• Act as Second‑in‑Command; assume temporary command when required.
• Lead, organise and supervise the Deck Department for safe vessel operations.
• Monitor working hours, crew welfare and departmental discipline.
• Provide written handovers when joining or leaving the vessel.
• Plan and oversee maintenance across superstructures, decks and tanks.
• Manage deck stores, inventories and procurement.
• Inspect equipment and ensure readiness and compliance.
• Maintain deck records per procedures.
• Lead loading, discharge and ballasting with correct stability.

Skills

Leadership

Maritime operations

Regulatory compliance

Navigation & watchkeeping

Crew development

Safety management

Environmental compliance

Education

UK Certificate of Competence as Chief Officer

Job description

Location: Onboard

Salary: Competitive plus excellent benefits

Schedule: 6 weeks on/6 weeks off rotation

Ready to impact a better future?

Offshore Operations are seeking a highly capable and confident Chief Officer. Reporting directly to the Master and acting as Second in Command, the Chief Officer plays a critical leadership role in the safe operation, maintenance and readiness of the vessel, while ensuring full compliance with maritime regulations, company procedures and industry best practice. As Chief Officer, you will play a central role in operational decision‑making, personnel management and the safe execution of all shipboard activities.

What We Are Looking For

Demonstrable experience serving as Chief Officer or Senior Deck Officer within commercial, military support or offshore vessel operations.

A Candidate With a Strong Understanding Of

• Cargo operations
• Vessel stability and ballast management
• Maritime safety management systems
• Environmental compliance requirements
• Navigation and watchkeeping responsibilities
• Experience leading and developing vessel crews.
• Excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills.
• Strong working knowledge of maritime legislation, regulations and best practice.

What You’ll Do As a Chief Officer

Leadership & Management

• Act as Second‑in‑Command and assume temporary command of the vessel when required in the absence or incapacity of the Master.
• Lead, organise and supervise the Deck Department to ensure safe and efficient vessel operations.
• Monitor working hours, crew welfare and departmental discipline.
• Mentor and develop Junior Deck Officers, ensuring compliance with company procedures and supporting career progression Provide thorough written handovers when joining or leaving the vessel.

Deck Operations & Safety Oversight

• Plan and oversee maintenance activities across superstructures, accommodation and deck areas, including tanks.
• Manage deck stores, inventories and procurement requirements.
• Inspect vessel equipment, deck machinery and associated systems and inventories ensuring readiness and compliance.
• Ensure equipment under the Chief Officer’s control is operated safely and maintained effectively.
• Record, report and follow up on equipment defects and operational damage.Maintain all required deck records and documentation in accordance with company procedures.

Cargo, Stability & Ballasting

• In consultation with the Master, take charge of loading, discharge and ballasting operations, ensuring correct stability, stress and securing of cargo.
• Verify cargo properties and ensure safe stowage and correct marking, including hazardous cargo.
• Conduct all required stability calculations before departure.
• Maintain accurate tank soundings and records.

Navigation & Watchkeeping

• Serve as a Watchkeeping Officer, maintaining navigational watches in accordance with international regulations, company procedures and standing orders.
• Support the Master in the safe navigation and operation of the vessel.
• Participate in berthing and unberthing operations and maintain effective communication with the Master and Pilot.
• Ensure comprehensive handovers are completed when joining or leaving the vessel.
• Follow all navigation procedures and international regulations.

Safety, Security, Environmental Protection & Compliance

• Maintain and issue all safety equipment and PPE, ensuring correct use by personnel.
• Support full compliance with oil pollution prevention regulations.
• Work closely with the Chief Engineer to minimise environmental risk during bunkering, bilge transfers and other operations.
• Lead investigations and reporting of any pollution incidents, incidents and near misses or equipment damage.
• Act as Ship Security Officer and be responsible for vessel security, liaise with the Company Security Officer and follow all contingency plans and emergency procedures.
• Report any cargo‑related or operational equipment damage and ensure Engineering is informed.

Safety Management System

Be Fully Conversant With

• Safe Systems of Work and the Permit to Work process
• Waste disposal procedures and take the responsibility for waste management onboard
• Shipboard Management Team processes
• Shipboard Safety Committee responsibilities

Does this sound like you?

• British nationality, including a valid British passport to obtain SC clearance
• A UK Certificate of Competence as Chief Officer (Unlimited) as a minimum
• Valid STCW certification, including Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities, Ship Security Officer, Survival Craft and Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boat (FRB)
• An unrestricted ENG1
• A methodical approach and strong organisational capability.
• Experienced in the application of maritime codes and standards, emergency response plans, planned maintenance systems and safety management systems (SMS, ISM, ISPS).

This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which involves verifying your identity, employment history, nationality and criminal record to meet government security standards. In addition, depending on the nature of the role, you may need to obtain formal Security Clearance (such as CTC or SC), which includes more detailed background checks on employment, criminal record and financial history to ensure suitability for working in secure environments. Please note that UK residency requirements may apply for certain levels of clearance. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire so we can identify and provide any support you may need to undertake the role effectively.

Discover all you need to keep growing

We’re one of the top 1% of international employers, so you can have confidence you’ll be part of a highly supportive culture with leaders you can count on to help you achieve your goals. From mentoring and training to our focus on internal progression, we’re proud to offer clear development opportunities – and the support and tools to help you seize them.

What We Offer

• Training and development: Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (including L3 Team Leader and L5 Operations Manager apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities and a focus on internal progression
• Health and wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco‑managed leisure centres and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
• Discounts: Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
• Charity: Paid volunteering day, tax‑free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
• Employee networks: Our networks support inclusion and connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, veterans and people from all cultural backgrounds.

A Little Bit About Us

At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.

Our Inclusive Recruitment Commitment

We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

• Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
• Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).

For support with your application, please contact [e-mail].