Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Officer

Could you protect the waters around the Kent & Essex coast – including marine habitats and
fish stocks – by enforcing key legislation?

About the role

In this varied role, you’ll tackle a range of work centred on marine enforcement at sea and on
land. Day-to-day, you could be doing anything from inspecting boats at sea to carrying out
surveys of fish stocks and habitats. You will be trained in carrying out enforcement of
fisheries and MPA legislation and you’ll ensure that anyone fishing in the Kent & Essex
IFCA district, either commercially or recreationally, complies with the Marine & Coastal
Access Act and other marine, environmental and sea fisheries legislation.

You will work closely with a range of contacts and stakeholders, carrying out inspections;
collecting and recording data; and giving advice and guidance using your knowledge and
understanding of the different fisheries and fishing methods in our district and the issues
they face. In addition to receiving training related to your enforcement duties, you will also
be trained in the use of small RIBs and other vessels.

About you

To join us, you must have enthusiasm for the marine environment and a knowledge of marine
issues and the fishing industry together with a strong drive to enforce rules protecting fish
stocks, marine habitats and marine wildlife. You’ll combine this with good communication
skills, an organised approach and a gift for teamwork and collaboration. You must be ready to
work some unsocial hours (e.g. weekends and at night), for which the post attracts a 10% uplift
in salary. You will also be required to tackle physically demanding duties in a challenging
marine environment and as such, we’ll expect you to meet the standard required to obtain a
Seafarers Medical Certificate (ENG1) to be able to inspect fishing vessels both when in port
and when working at sea.

The first-round interviews for this post will be held on 21 March 2024 in Ramsgate, Kent. If
you are selected for an interview you will be expected to provide a ten minute presentation to
the interview panel

For further information and to download an application form please visit our website: https://www.kentandessex-ifca.gov.uk/about-us/vacancies

Closing date for applications: 3 March 2024