Geospatial information Specialist (Bathymetry)

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].

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.

• 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.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• 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.

At the UK Hydrographic Office, it’s very important to us that our people feel valued. 

We offer a huge range of benefits such as training and development, well-being support, flexible/ homeworking, a fantastic state of the art building, high spec equipment, and so much more. 

See our attached Candidate Information Pack for more details.

Job contact :

• Name : recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk
• Email : recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk