About the job

Job summary

We are looking for four Geospatial Information Specialists to join our Bathymetric team.  The Bathymetric team is a dynamic team who play a pivotal role in the UKHO. We work with numerous different organisations including survey contractors, overseas Governments, Maritime Coastguard Authority, the Royal Navy and many others.  Our role is to support the provision of quality data that is used by the worlds commercial shipping companies and the Royal Navy. 

Our team includes specialists with different levels of experience, including team members who have developed as specialists whilst at the UKHO. We place a high value on developing our people and invest accordingly. 

The remit of the team is evolving, and we are building our capability to support current and emerging requirements for hydrographic and bathymetric expertise at the UK Hydrographic Office.  

The purpose of the Geospatial Information Specialist role in the Bathymetric Team is to undertake the validation, databasing and archiving of data – ensuring that the quality of the data meets set standards before being incorporated into CARIS BathyDataBASE and passed to other Operations and Production teams to update our Products.

Our teams across Operations work in different ways, depending on the ways of working of the team and customer needs.  Some hybrid/flexible working can be supported in the team, with a business expectation of working in the Taunton office 60% of the time. 

[Please note our Policy on informal hybrid working (arrangements available as agreed with the line manager) does not extend to working overseas].

Job description

In the Bathymetric Team, Geospatial Information Specialist tasks are as follows: 

• Geospatial data capture and modelling 

Validate incoming acoustic and remotely collected bathymetric datasets (in CARIS BASE Editor or HIPs & SIPs) and produce outputs for archiving and databasing.

Undertake analysis and complete routine resurvey analysis reports.

 

• Geospatial data manipulation

Process and validate surveys using CARIS HIPs and SIPs, CARIS BASE Editor and Qimera to improve data quality whilst adhering to good data management principles to ensure processed data meets specification.

 

• Geospatial data management 

Upload survey data to the CARIS BathyDataBASE (BDB) for use in UKHO products and service.

Archive survey data from CARIS HIPs & SIPs onto Apollo Servers; storing media in keeping with archiving requirements and keeping records up to date.

Extract archive data from the Apollo servers and MS Cloud to support data requests/external queries.

 

• Geospatial data standards and quality 

Ensure databasing and archiving activities adhere to Data Governance principles.

Ensure all data is attributed correctly to meet required data governance standards, e.g., MEDIN.

 

• Geospatial software and systems 

Apply practitioner level competence in using CARIS BathyDataBASE. HIPs & SIPs, CARIS BASE Editor, Qimera, SDRA.

Demonstrate aptitude to learn other geospatial software as required.

 

• Capability Building 

Assist with external training as required.

Support colleagues in the team and other departments at internal and external engagements.

Support with the training/mentoring and coaching of new staff in the team when appropriate.

 

• Geospatial Strategy and Architecture 

Support Data Stewards and Data Owners to develop strategies to improve and diversify geospatial data.

As required, lead on continual improvement initiatives.

Person specification

• We are looking for team players who can deliver at pace to meet fluid requirements both in terms of bathymetric data receipt and validation, and in providing outcomes for customers.
• Attention to detail and experience in using relevant Bathy processing software to manage large datasets are also key for the role.
• Ability to communicate with peers and stakeholders professionally and explain complex processes to others.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,539, UK Hydrographic Office contributes £7,975 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

How to Apply: 

You will be asked to submit a personal statement of up to 500 words.  This will be marked against the experience criteria below.  You will also have 250 words to describe how you meet the civil service behaviours listed below.

Timeline:

• Advert Closes for applications: Tuesday 9th January 2024
• Shortlisting: week commencing 15th January 2024
• Interviews: week commencing 22nd January 2024 

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. 

Sift/Shortlist Criteria: 

All applications are processed anonymously. Should we receive a large number of applications they will first be sifted against the lead criteria shown below.  Only those that score highly enough for this criteria will have their applications fully sifted against all other criteria. You will be short-listed against the following criteria: 

Civil Service Behaviours (Level 2):

• Working Together (Lead criteria)
• Communicating and Influencing 

Experience:

You will be asked to input information from you CV.  Please note this is for information purposes only.

Please use your Statement of Suitability to demonstrate how you meet the two criteria below.

• Practitioner level experience/understanding of all types of bathymetric data processing (or equivalent data processing experience).
• Practitioner level experience in using CARIS HIPs & SIPs and BASE Editor or equivalent software.  

Interview Criteria: 

You will be interviewed against the following criteria: 

Civil Service Behaviours (Level 2):

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace 

Technical Skills:

• Practitioner level experience/understanding of all types of bathymetric data processing (or equivalent data processing experience).
• Practitioner level experience in using CARIS HIPs & SIPs and BASE Editor or equivalent software. 

See here for further information: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk)

 

Process:  

• Single Stage Interview via TEAMS. You will be contacted to book a suitable slot if you are shortlisted (see our Candidate Pack for further information)
• Interview will be with a panel of no more than 4 people and will last approx. 45 mins 

Onboarding Checks:

In the event you are offered a role with us, you will be required to go through Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which will include Employment and Right to Work Checks. You will also need to apply for SC (Security Clearance), but you may be able to start your role before gaining this. Please see our attached Candidate Pack for further details and Terms.

SC – non reserved
This is a Ministry of Defence non-reserved post and although open to UK, British Commonwealth and European Economic Area nationals, successful applicants will require a security clearance (SC) and therefore need to have resided in the UK for a minimum of 12 consecutive months within the last 5 years.

Eligibility

Due to the secure nature of our work, there may be eligibility restrictions if you hold dual nationality or are not a British Citizen. We will consider each application on a case-by-case basis. We will ask you in our application form to confirm your place of birth and details of any dual or previous nationalities.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). 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.