Thames Commander (Gravesend)

Thames Commander (Gravesend)
Salary: £38,882 - £45,744 (dependent of experience)
Allowance: London (Outer) £#####
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Additional information: 42 hours per week
Location: Gravesend, Kent, England
Location description: Gravesend Lifeboat Station
Interview date: To be confirmed
Closing Date: 28-07#####4
Reference: 17636

About us

Our purpose is simple, to save lives at sea. Since the 19th century, our crews have been risking their lives to save those who are in danger of drowning. Thames Lifeboats continue to make a huge difference to the safety of people living in Kent, Essex, and London.

We’re looking for two Commanders to join our Lifeboat Station at Gravesend. To be part of this team, you’ll need to keep a cool head and be confident making decisions under stressful situations, to lead and inspire our volunteers. The safety of the crew is your responsibility and whether you launch or not will be your call. Upholding the high standards of the RNLI and the smooth, day-to-day running of the station will also be under your command.

The Benefits

- £38,882 - £45,744 (dependent of experience)
- 26 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata for this role)
- Outstanding pension scheme (contributions of up to 16% of basic salary)
- Life assurance

Your role

As Thames Commander, you will be responsible for the operational effectiveness and safety of the lifeboat, people and working environment whilst you are on command duty. You will carry out command duties, leadership, and support duties both afloat and ashore, including working within the community. Role also includes:

- Proactively supporting the safe and effective lifesaving service in line with the requirements of Line 1 assurance
- Conducting scheduled Planned Maintenance and repairs, ensuring that all lifesaving assets are maintained to a high standard in line with RNLI policy and procedures whilst also ensuring that the lifeboat station is maintained to a high standard
- Adhering to and promoting compliance with all SHE policies and procedures, ensuring instructions issued by the RNLI and Station Manager are carried out
- Training, assessing, and developing station volunteers in their relevant development plans to ensure they are ready and safe to respond to incidents whilst ensuring your own competencies and qualifications are maintained
- Involvement with Water Safety, assisting Water Safety Teams within the local community and within Area 11 by contributing to the Community Lifesaving Plan, delivering interventions, education and advice to various groups and individuals using the RNLI (F)RISE model
- Building effective relationships and supporting others around the station and creating an open and truly inclusive environment for all staff, volunteers, and supporters by consistently demonstrating the RNLI Values

About you

As a Thames Commander, “Rules of the Road”, navigation, seamanship and handling very fast vessels up to 15 metres in length will all be familiar territory. You will need to hold a relevant certificate of competence, and ideally be familiar with local waters from Canvey Island to the Thames flood barrier.

To be considered, you will need to be able to demonstrate the following:

- The ability to lead, motivate and bring out the best in our volunteer crew and staff
- Qualified to a minimum equivalent of the Royal Yacht Association Advanced Powerboat qualification, safely operate/handle vessels up to 15 metres in length with the ability to gain operational pass out as a Thames Commander (impeccable boat-handing is required)
- Extensive maritime experience and knowledge of SAR operations, navigation, local bylaws, and the International Regulations Prevention of Collision at Sea
- Experience of maintaining and operating high speed marine engines and their ancillary systems

So, if you are ready for your next exciting challenge and consider yourself to be someone who is a natural leader who can inspire and motivate a team of dedicated people, please apply via the button shown.

As this is a sea-going appointment, you will need to satisfy the Institution's medical and eyesight standards.

Safeguarding

The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; ensuring the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero tolerance approach to proven incidents of bullying, abuse, harassment or exploitation.  The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process).

Diversity at the RNLI

Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for nearly 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One