Job Description

Job Title:

VTS Operator

Location:

Port of Grangemouth

Hours:

2 day shifts / 2-night shifts / 4 days off for 7 weeks, followed by 14 days of leave

Compensation:

Salary - 30,200 & Shift allowance - 5,716



Forth Ports is one of the UK's largest and most dynamic port operator groups, playing a key role in connecting the UK with Europe and beyond. As a multimodal ports owner and operator, we are at the forefront of delivering innovative port-related services. With our recent pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2032 and Net Zero status by 2042, we are committed to sustainability and driving the expansion of the UK's renewable energy sector, particularly offshore wind. Now is an exciting time to join our team as we embark on this transformative journey towards a greener future.

About The Role

In this role as VTS Operator within our Forth and Tay Navigation Service at the Port of Grangemouth, you will be responsible for ensuring the safe, orderly, and efficient movement of vessels within the designated Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) area. This involves maintaining continuous monitoring of maritime traffic, providing timely navigational information and assistance to mariners, and supporting the Duty Assistant Harbour Master in coordinating responses to incidents and emergencies, in line with established regulations, procedures, and safety standards.

Key responsibilities:

Assist with the programming of vessels, having due regard to weather conditions, tides, size and nature of vessels. Communicate with agents, pilots, port operations and shipmasters, on a continually operating schedule to enable the safe and orderly transit of vessels Provide clear, current and accurate information for the ship's Master, Port/Terminal Operators, Maritime Coastguard Agency, shipping agents, weather forecasters and, when required, the emergency services. Ensure proper information is received from the vessel regarding its intended movements. Provide weather and tidal conditions, the movement of other vessels in the area and berthing instructions Monitor all river traffic movements in the Forth and Tay through the VTS system to ensure the safety of all shipping and the determination of arrival/departure times as backup to the Harbour Master Assist Port Operations and the Harbour Master by entering relevant data into the correct IT systems Promptly notify the Duty Assistant Harbour Master of any non-standard marine matters in accordance with the Port Marine Safety Code. Report any IT equipment failures to the IT team Coordinate and manage the Forth Pilotage Service during night shifts, liaising with Pilots, Coxswains and agents to ensure the effective planning and delivery of pilotage operations Carry out general administrative tasks related to daily operations, including e-filing and updating IT records on shipping movements, with consideration for other marine traffic, tidal conditions, and operational constraints Maintain the computerised vessel database Provide overtime cover within FTNS for short-notice sickness absence or when other VTS colleagues are attending scheduled training

What are we looking for?

We are seeking a flexible and reliable individual to join our shore-based team, working a 12-hour shift system that operates 24/7, 365 days a year. You must be able to work as part of a rostered pattern that includes nights, weekends, and public holidays, with a contractual requirement to work overtime on rostered days off when needed. Strong communication, situational awareness, and decision-making skills are essential, along with a commitment to safety and teamwork.

If you do not already hold the required VTS Operator qualification, you will be required to attend a fully funded training course in January 2026 in South Shields.

Skills and Qualifications:

All relevant marine experience will be considered Ideally will possess STCW Deck Officer of the Watch (OOW) Certificate of Competency or higher Contractually required to obtain the V103 Certificate (if not already held) ; the Company will arrange and support attendance at this training Demonstratable working knowledge of the Port Marine Safety Code and its application in daily operations Strong understanding of Port and River Byelaws, General Directions, Jetty Regulations, and other relevant maritime regulations Excellent communication and coordinate skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with Pilots, Coxswains, Port Authorities and other stakeholders Ability to problem solve, prioritise and manage multiple tasks in a busy operational environment Knowledge of environmental and safety regulations, including tidal considerations, vessel manouevring restrictions and incident reporting procedures Full right to work in the UK Full UK driving licence

What Forth Ports can offer you:

At Forth Ports, our people are our priority, and we are committed to creating a flexible, open, and supportive working culture. As part of our team, you will enjoy:



A competitive salary Shift allowance Discretionary bonus A defined pension scheme and life assurance Health promotion events and employee wellbeing initiatives Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for you and your family Cycle to work scheme and on-site free parking Attractive Family Friendly Policies Employee discount platform offering discounts on UK-wide restaurants, car rentals, and holidays GymFlex health club memberships


We value diversity and inclusivity, and we are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and will consider all applications for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.

How to Apply:

If you have a relevant marine background and are looking to start or continue your career as part of a forward-thinking and supportive team, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a cover letter when submitting your application via the 'Apply Now' link.

Required Criteria

All relevant marine backgrounds will be considered Full right to work in the UK Full UK driving licence

Desired Criteria

Ideally will possess STCW Deck Officer of the Watch (OOW) Certificate of Competency or higher

Skills Needed

About The Company

Over our 50 years of experience we have witnessed our ports grow to become important assets to support and deliver growth both for the UK and local economies.


The growth impact has been achieved due to the continued investments in our infrastructure, making sure that our ports are able to continually develop their services and support the growth of many industries.


Our people have played a significant role. They have delivered the highest quality of service through their expertise, loyalty and flexibility and, without them, we could not have built the strong reputation and the long term agreements with many customers that we have today.

Company Culture

Welcome to Forth Ports Careers. As a leading port operator, we employ over 1,100 people across our ports in Scotland and the Port of Tilbury in London.


A career in a port business is very rewarding. There is real variety within each role and significant opportunities for promotion and career development. Don't just take our word for it; view the "Some of our People" section and the video below to gain insight into the kinds of jobs our employees do, how they've grown with us, and what motivates them each day.


The port business can be seen as a barometer for the economy and this drives us to be adaptable and fast paced as we identify new business opportunities.

Company Benefits

We are committed to creating a positive working culture for all employees, as well as a good work-life balance.


Here are just some of the benefits of working for Forth Ports.


Vacation, Paid time off, Paid sick days, Retirement plan and/or pension, Employee discounts, Gym membership or wellness programs, Cycle to work, Competitive salary, Employee Assistance Scheme

Salary

30,200.00 per year