Job Description and Person Specification
IRC144093
Job Description
Department / Division:
Directorate of Science and Technology (DST) / Ocean Technology and
Engineering Group (OTEG) – Liverpool
Post Title:
Fieldwork Support and Logistics Officer
Grade:
Band 6
Posts Responsible to (and
Level):
Head of Electronic Systems and Instrumentation (Liverpool), Band 6
Posts Responsible for (and
Level):
None
Job Purpose:
To work with the Head of Electronic Systems and Instrumentation in providing a cost-effective, efficient
and collaborative service supporting the field and observational activities of the laboratory.
In particular:
 Maintenance, preparation, mobilisation and deployment of oceanographic instruments and
instrument systems, both commercial off-the-shelf and in-house designed
 Logistics support on behalf of the OTE group for the movement of equipment between the two
NOC sites (Liverpool and Southampton) and to and from mobilisation/demobilisation ports
 Maintaining an up-to-date inventory of all equipment and keeping accurate records of equipment
status, movements and location
 Electronic instrumentation testing, fault finding and calibration
 Procurement of equipment, consumables and services
You will be responsible for liaising with science and engineering colleagues within NOC at both the
Liverpool and Southampton sites and with external customers and providers to ensure that equipment is
prepared and ready for deployment in a timely manner. You will be expected to spend periods away at
sea, up to several weeks at a time. You will maintain detailed records of all instrument preparation,
calibrations and provide written reports of all fieldwork activities.
Key Accountabilities/Primary Responsibilities:

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
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% Time
Provision of field support for instrument trials and scientific studies, including
instrument preparation, logistics, instrument deployment and recovery
Provision of general logistics support by arranging transport and freight of
equipment to and from Southampton and to and from mobilisation/mobilisation
ports; liaison with colleagues in Liverpool and Southampton, with cruise
managers, and with external customers and providers
Provision of detailed records of all instrument maintenance and preparation;
provision of written reports of all fieldwork activities
To act as health and safety representative for the Liverpool workshop and
assembly area
To provide advice on suitability and availability of instruments, and deployment
systems and techniques to colleagues within NOC and the wider marine science
community
1
60
20
10
5
5
Internal & External Relationships: (nature & purpose of relationships)

Internal
 Work with other groups within NOC/DST (OTE and science in both Liverpool and Southampton) in
collaborative engineering/technology and science projects
 Liaise with colleagues in National Marine Facilities (NMF) to facilitate logistics and seagoing
operations

External
 Together with wider support from OTEG, DST and NMF you may be required to provide
observational systems for project partners external to DST (e.g. UK HEIs and international partners)
 You will keep abreast of developments in commercially available oceanographic instrumentation
developed by other oceanographic institutions and companies.
Special Requirements:

All staff are expected to:
 Positively support equality of opportunity and equity of treatment to colleagues and students in
accordance with the NERC Equal Opportunities policy;
 Help maintain a safe working environment by:
o Attending training in Health and Safety requirements as necessary, both on appointment
and as changes in duties and techniques demand;
o Following local codes of safe working practices
 Ensure that their actions conform with the overall environmental aims of the Centre and minimise
their environmental impact
 Undertake such other duties within the scope of the post as may be requested by your Manager.
 Comply with the NERC Core Expectations
This job description reflects the core activities of the post, as the Centre and the post-holder develops
there will inevitably be some changes in the emphasis to the duties of the post. NERC expects that the
post-holder will recognise this and adopt a flexible approach to work and be willing to participate in
training where necessary. Should significant changes to the job description become necessary, the postholder will be consulted and the changes reflected in a revised job description.
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Personal Skills / Qualities:
(Including Problem Solving and Initiative /
Management and Teamwork)





√
Ability to take the initiative and to respond to
opportunities
Ability to get the best out of colleagues and
co-workers as a member of a team.
Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing
project requirements
Ability to use own initiative and to seek
appropriate guidance (colleagues, literature)
with regard to problem solving to enable the
development of solutions to engineering
problems
Ability to analyse and interpret
data/information to identify technical
√
√
√
√
2
Desirable
How to be
assessed
CV/application,
interview,
references

problems and develop solutions
Willingness to learn and develop new skills
√
Knowledge & Experience related to position:
 Experience with preparation of scientific
instruments and systems, both commercial
off-the-shelf and in-house developed
 Experience with oceanographic instruments
and electronic systems
 Seagoing experience including deployment
and recovery of instrument systems and
moorings
 Mechanical assembly and workshop skills
 Basic IT and office skills
 Understanding of health and safety issues
 Project management experience
CV/application,
interview,
references
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
Qualifications:
 HNC, HND or higher or equivalent formal
qualification in a technical discipline, or
equivalent experience
Presence / Communication Skills:
(Including Planning and Organising)
 Good oral and written skills with the ability to
communicate effectively on technical subjects
 Ability to plan and prioritise own workload
 Ability to work with little supervision to
ensure priorities are managed and deadlines
are met
 Clear organisational skills for fieldwork
planning, logistics and equipment
preparation
√
CV, references,
certificates
√
CV/application,
interview,
references
√
√
√
Special Requirements:
 Willingness to spend periods away both in the
UK and at sea (up to 1 month at a time)
 Ability to pass ENG1 medical and personal
survival training
 Valid UK driving licence
CV/application,
interview
√
√
√
3