Senior Hydrographic Specialist

We’re seeking a Senior Hydrographic Specialist to join our Bathymetric Team which sits within the wider Scientific Analysis Group.  The team is made up of specialists with different levels of experience, including team members who have “grown” as specialists whilst at the UKHO.

The team has 4 key areas of responsibility: 

› Verification of all bathymetric data (including multibeam and Lidar) received by the UKHO for use in a wide range of UKHO products and services. 

› Planning and delivery or oversight of bathymetric surveys as part of overseas marine capability building programmes.

› Providing Subject Matter Expertise (SME) support, training and consultancy to internal and external organisations. 

› Development of new initiatives within bathymetry data collection and processing. 

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.  So whilst our Senior Hydrographic Specialists will primarily focus on the first area listed above, they will also have the opportunity to undertake the other activities described, and emerging activities, dependent on business need.

As part of the team’s role in building the UKHO’s hydrographic capability, we are keen to support the continuing professional development of our specialists in this discipline.  This will vary depending on individual and team need but could include training and opportunities to support advancement through the Hydrographic Professional Accreditation Scheme (HPAS) as well as through the UKHO Career Level Framework, which can lead to towards affiliation with IMarEST.

There will be opportunities to work in a hybrid way, depending on individual needs and the needs of the team – this will be agreed in discussion with Team Managers.  The team also have a once a month (as a minimum), team day in the office.

This role does require the ability to travel/deploy from time to time in support of our survey programme, both in the UK and Abroad.

You will be required to be capable of performing all of the activities below.  The time spent on each will vary depending on business needs. 

Tasks may include: 

• Verification and peer review of incoming acoustic, and remotely collected bathymetric datasets including seabed texture datasets.
• Lead on the development of future initiatives within the bathymetric team as required including, but not limited to; use of autonomous platforms to support lower carbon data collect and the development of new processes in line with industry best practice.
• Provide technical advice, operating procedures, and training for internal and external use.
• Undertake analysis, peer review and complete routine resurvey analysis reports.
• Support the Lead Hydrographic Science Specialist in the testing of new software, systems and data sources and processes.g. CSB (Crowd Sourced Bathymetry), machine learning, improve efficiency of Lidar processing and variable resolution.
• Ensure archiving of datasets and associated metadata are completed accurately and that they are fit for purpose.
• Prepare text and graphics for reports feeding back to data suppliers; being involved in discussions with other government bodies and foreign governments in respect to bathymetry.
• Assist Lead Hydrographic Specialists in the conduct of hydrographic surveys and training.
• Assist Survey Managers (IHP & CHP) in the Tender, Planning, Fieldwork and Client Representation of hydrographic surveys.
• Represent the UKHO at relevant external forums.
• Some Data Steward responsibilities for Bathymetry.
• Provide stakeholder input and/or lead on change charters and continuous improvement initiatives.

Please note that we will only score against the sift and interview criteria and not the essential and desirable information below.

This is a highly analytical role that requires you to be able to examine and verify large quantities of hydrographic data, of varying density and quality.  We are looking for applicants with practical experience of bathymetry collection along with competency in the use of a range of bathy processing and archiving software and tools.  Adaptability and a willingness to undertake and potentially lead surveying in the field or lead on development work/projects as and when the opportunity arises are also key requirements for the role.  

You will be “forward looking”, with an interest in emerging technologies relating to bathymetric collection and uses of bathymetric data – and the ability to identify where these developments could benefit the work of the team and wider UKHO.

Most importantly you will be a team player: you will support each other in achieving outputs and in coaching and mentoring less experience staff within, and outside of the team; sharing your skills and knowledge of Bathy Data Processing and the wider aspects of Bathymetry as a science.  

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing

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

• Hydrographic survey field experience as a hydrographic surveyor with demonstrable knowledge of the main principles of hydrographic surveying (Presentation)
• Practitioner/Expert Level of processing survey data using CARIS HIPS and SIPS and/or other bathymetric processing tools.

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