Boat Safety Development & Support Engineer/Advisor

Job Purpose

Internal Job Title: Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) Examiner Development & Support Engineer

Advertised Salary: £35,000 + benefits

Location: Remote, with regular travel across our network required. See here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/canals-and-rivers

We're the charity who look after and bring to life 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales, because we believe that life is better by water. Every role across the Trust plays its part in transforming our canals and rivers into spaces where local people want to spend time and feel better, bringing wellbeing benefits to millions.

We currently have an opportunity for a Examiner Development & Support Engineer to join our team. The job holder will be responsible on a day-to-day basis for the development and implementation of the Boat Safety Scheme Limited (BSS) Examiner Development Strategy, part of the BSS's Delivering Consistent Examinations (Core) Process, and thereby ensure that the BSS Requirements and general boat safety awareness initiatives are consistently and effectively applied by BSS Examiners.

The job holder will also develop and be responsible on a day-to-day basis for the BSS (boat-related) Incident Database and thereby ensure that the BSS holds suitably detailed, complete, and accurate data on boat incidents within the UK to enable appropriate and robust decisions to be made by the BSS under its Risk Management (Core) Process.

The scope of the role covers those UK inland waterways managed by the 16 navigation and harbour authorities participating in the Scheme. There are currently circa. 90,000 boats on these waterways which are examined against the relevant BSS Requirements once every four years. There are currently 170 independent BSS Examiners who between them examine approximately 21,000 boats/annum.

Find out more here: https://www.boatsafetyscheme.org/about-us/

Location & coverage

The position will be offered on a remote working basis, with a requirement to attend our main hub spaces and or other navigation & harbour authority offices throughout the UK as and when required for team working and collaborative meetings. Travel throughout the waterway network is expected in order to conduct site visits.

BSS Limited represents numerous navigation authorities throughout the UK, we have training centres at Evesham, Northampton and Norwich. We hold technical conferences in numerous locations but mainly based in Warwick. Our monthly meetings are held In Hemel Hempstead.

When travelling on Boat Safety Scheme business, hire cars, train tickets, and accomodation (when overnight stays are applicable) are bookable through designated apps and websites.

See our canal network here: ( https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network ).

About BSS

The BSS purpose is to help minimise the risk of boat fires, explosions, or pollution harming visitors to the inland waterways, the waterways' workforce and any other users and to help protect adjacent property, as it is to these parties that the Navigation Authorities may have duties in law. The purpose is equally to contribute to the common goal to make the waterways a safe, attractive and pleasant environment for all.

The BSS helps control the hazards which are introduced by boats which have been inadequately constructed or maintained or hazards introduced by boat owners who misuse the boat's equipment. The Navigation Authorities employ, through the BSS two broad approaches in respect of privately owned and privately managed boats.

Knowledge, Skills/Qualifications & Experience

The successful applicant will be the primary contact for the 170 BSS Examiners concerning their development and performance under the BSS Examiner Development Strategy.

Key accountabilities:

• Be responsible on a day-to-day basis for the development and implementation of the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) Examiner Development Strategy. This will include:
  • Lead on the development and implementation of ongoing training and assessment events for existing Examiners to update/maintain their skills and knowledge , including reviewing material and provision after each course.
  • Lead on the development and maintenance of relationships with Examiner trade bodies and professional groups to get the engagement of the Examiner population and to make them appreciate they are part of the direction of the BSS.
  • Lead on the Examiner Profile surveys to get the engagement of the Examiner population and to make them appreciate they are part of the direction of the BSS.
  • Be a key part of the BSS proactive Quality Assurance Team which undertakes BSS Examiner Desktop Assessments and Field Assessments and other Examiner quality assurance activities and be the link between the Team and the BSS Office. Also actively engage with Examiners as a BSS Desktop Assessor.
  • Be a key part of the BSS Technical Team, and provide technical advice on the application and interpretation of the BSS Requirements to BSS Examiners, boat owners, the navigation authorities, the marine industry and others.
  • Be a key part of the BSS New Examiner Training Programme Team, and be the link between the Team and the BSS Office to ensure effective initial training provision and assessment, including reviewing material and provision after each course.

• Support Examiners in their role by guiding and working with other members of the BSS Office Team to ensure that:
• The BSS Examiner Support Website is fit for purpose and enables Examiners to undertake consistent Examinations.
• The BSS Database is fit for purpose and enables Examiners to undertake consistent Examinations.
• Examination documentation is fit for purpose and enables Examiners to undertake consistent Examinations.
• BSS Office communications with Examiners, including general written and verbal communications, Examiner Newsletters and Technical Newsletters are fit for purpose and enable Examiners to undertake consistent Examinations.

• Be responsible on a day-to-day basis for the BSS (boat-related) Incident Database, including:
  • Be the primary BSS Office contact for existing sources of incident data such as the Fire & Rescue Services, marine insurers, marine surveyors, navigation authorities, while developing new contacts and sources of incident data
  • Work with existing and new sources of incident data to improve the quality of the data received.
  • Commission and work with specialist consultants where appropriate to ensure that the quality of the data received is fit for purpose and that it is recorded on the BSS Database in such a way that it can be accessed and reviewed in a way that supports the BSS Risk Management Process.
  • Routinely analyse the incidents collected on the BSS Database to establish any trends and report any trends to the relevant BSS Manager for risk review through the BSS Forums, to support the BSS decision making process.

• Lead the response to Hazardous Boat Notifications and be responsible for liaising with relevant Examiners, navigation and harbour authorities when these are reported.

About you

Technical:

• HND-level education or equivalent relevant technical qualification (professional engineer or surveyor institution membership desirable at associate member status).
• Technical experience in recreational small craft or a relevant technical trade.
• A thorough understanding of the role of national and internal technical standards and codes of practice supporting the construction, fitting and maintenance of boats and marine installations
• In-service training to 'Developer' level of Salesforce training, advatnageous.
• A working knowledge of data analysis.

General:

• Computer literate, having good capabilities using Windows, Android and IOS systems and platforms including knowledge of CRM software and tools.
• A confident communicator (verbal and written) with strong interpersonal skills and excellent organisational and planning skills
• A good and effective knowledge of project management and process-based working
• Strong knowledge and understanding of current trends in digital media/social media.

To apply: click on the "Apply for this job" button and follow the process - complete the application form & upload current CV

Interviews: Initial interviews will be conducted virtually.

If you have any questions about the role please contact CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk

What We Offer

In addition to your annual base salary of £35,000 , we also offer a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, and numerous other employee benefits, including several salary sacrifice benefits we are also open to flexible working arrangements.

• Competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, where we will double your contribution to a maximum of 10%.
• 25 days paid holiday (plus paid Bank Holidays), increasing to 30 days after 5 years.
• Home working status with 'hub' facilities available should you need the flexibility to work outside of home.
• Annual £200 personal learning & growth award to spend on any learning related activity.
• Free access to specialist counselling on a range of issues, e.g. health, financial, well-being and domestic matters.
• Access to a range of employee benefits including store discounts, boating holiday discounts and holiday purchase scheme.
• 2 days paid volunteering leave per annum, allowing you to volunteer for a local community project etc.
• Free fishing facilities across our canal network.

At the Trust we care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We strongly believe that a diverse workforce brings with it a diversity of ideas, thinking and ways of working which enhances what we do as a Trust. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.

All candidates will be treated on the basis of their merits, skills and abilities and solely by being assessed against the requirements for the job.

When you join the Canal & River Trust you become a member of an engaged team working to preserve our heritage for future generations. Come and share your passion and knowledge with a team that makes a difference to millions of people every day.

Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us]]>