Harbour Team Leader – Torquay and Paignton - 37 hours

Application Deadline: 22 October 2025

Department: Pride in Place

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Torbay Council

Reporting To: Head of Service

Compensation: £35,412 - £38,220 / year

Description

INTERNAL CANDIDATES ONLY

Job Description & Person Specification >

Torbay Harbour Authority are pleased to be able to advertise the role of Harbour Assistant Team Leader and would like to invite applications from internal candidates.

This is a new post and it will form an important link between the strategic management of the Harbour and the operational delivery of maintenance and day to day running of the harbours. Under the direction of the Harbour Master and their team, you will develop and lead operational plans for the Harbour Assistant team to deliver day-to-day operations and maintenance activities, ensuring our quays and infrastructure are well-maintained, clean, and safe.

The production of planned maintenance schedules will form a key part of this role, these will be agreed with the Harbour Master and their team and allow the tactical planning, budgeting and delivery of programmes of work to the Harbour Estate

This role will be based at Torquay Harbour, primarily covering Torquay and Paignton Harbours and the Harbour Assistants that work at those sites but you will be required to be involved with Brixham Harbour and the team based there at times.

It is a priority of the Authority to develop a culture with Health and Safety at the centre of everything we do and you will be a key part of this. This role will be expected to assist in the development of risk management and will be responsible for delivering Safe Systems of Work and Tool Box Talks to the Harbour Assistant team and overseeing the safe operation of the harbours, visitors, users and workforce.

You will provide a professional and efficient service to team members, customers, visitors, and the public. Key duties include assisting with vessel arrivals and departures, collecting harbour charges, managing traffic and parking, maintaining communication, and enforcing Harbour Bye-laws as well as leading the team.

If you’re ready to lead, inspire, and contribute to the continued development of our harbours, we encourage you to apply.

For an informal chat please contact Nick Burns on 01803208443 or nick.burns@torbay.gov.uk.

Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 27th October 2025.

Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there's a published deadline - so if you're keen, please apply as soon as possible.

Skills

Essential:

Effective use of organisational skills, to include prioritisation and attention to detail and be able to work toward deadlines. Where conflicting, can time manage and prioritise accordingly.
Effective general and maritime maintenance skills.
Effective communication skills so that clear instruction instructions can be passed on, both to staff members and the public/harbour users.
Ability to deal tactfully and diplomatically with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Effective people management and leadership skills to lead and work effectively as part of a team and give instruction to others.

This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Knowledge

Essential:

Understanding of small boats and basics ship requirements, including the practices of good seamanship.
Effective knowledge and understanding of the Port Marine Safety Code and Health & Safety legislation.
Knowledge and understanding of essential maintenance of ports and infrastructure.
Knowledge and understanding of effective leadership qualities and practices.
Effective knowledge and understanding of supervisory techniques to enable efficient use of resources and delegation.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential:

Educated to at least NVQ level 4 standard.
Skippers’ certification (minimum of commercial endorsed power boat level 2).
Previous experience of scheduling and planning maintenance within a maritime environment.
Experience of using inspection and testing regimes for tools, equipment and plant.
Experience of problem solving to successful outcomes.

Skills

Knowledge

Experience & Qualifications

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