Manager Vessel Traffic Services (VTS)

Who we are

TasPorts is a state-owned company responsible for eleven Tasmanian ports and the Devonport Airport. We are a vertically integrated organisation, providing a diverse range of port and marine operations and services around Tasmania.  Our vision is to proudly connect people, products and solutions for the benefit of all Tasmanians.

With 99% of the State’s freight moving through our multi-port system, TasPorts facilitates vital trade to enable industry partners and communities while ensuring the highest environmental and safety standards.

The role

Are you an experienced VTS Manager looking for your next challenge?  

We are looking for an experienced VTS Manager to lead marine services scheduling across the state to ensure that pilotage, berth allocation, towage, pilotage transfer and support services are organised to ensure safe and on-time vessel movements within Tasmanian ports.

Reporting to the Harbour Master - the purpose of the role is to Lead a VTS Team that facilitates the safe movement of vessels and the safety, security and resilience of Tasmania’s coastal waterways. 

The key focus areas for the role in the short to medium term include:

Project managing the identification and implementation of a systemic, single process approach to shipping customer transactions that sits across all TasPorts  divisions of operations, and developing a capability model for VTS employees to ensure a planned approach to employee development that is aligned to current and future business needs.

This is a permanent, full-time position based at TasPort's Corporate Office in Launceston. 

Key role responsibilities include:

• Maintaining an effective VTS Quality Management System 
• Reviewing, developing and implementing, systems and processes, to ensure alignment with best practice and relevant Tasmanian and National VTS standards;
• Maintaining compliance with the TasPorts’ safety management system and all relevant Federal and State regulatory and statutory requirements; 
• Proactively managing risks to ensure risks relating to safety, security and the environment are identified and controlled. 

Ensure marine services are planned to meet the commercial interest of TasPorts and its customers through:

• Scheduling and coordinating all pilotage, coxswain and port control operations required for shipping movements state-wide;
• Engaging with internal stakeholders to ensure the effective rostering, capability and availability of required resources from other Marine and Operational teams;
• Engaging with external stakeholder including regulators, customers, agents, stevedores and all port users on issues that directly affect shipping operations;
• Leading the VTS function to ensure effective management of scheduling and coordination of state-wide shipping movements; and
• Maintaining a comprehensive working knowledge of all assets, berths harbours and channels and operational services associated with commercial shipping services in Tasmania.

For a full list of the role duties, please see the Position Description on the TasPort's Careers page: Careers (tasports.com.au)

What you can bring to the role

A full understanding of the VTS functions and the tasks performed by the VTS operators is essential, as is an in-depth knowledge of the needs, requirements and expectations of stakeholders and vessels using the VTS. 

The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication and general IT skills, be able to work accurately under pressure and effectively as part of a team. 

The key experiences we are looking for includes: 

• Strong working knowledge of shipping scheduling operations with a focus on safety and environment, ideally developed in an accredited VTS operation; 
• Well-developed leadership skills with the ability to effectively motivate and manage people.
• Proven change and project management skills with the ability to drive organisational or system change in a complex legislative and industrial relations environment.
• Strong working knowledge of relevant marine statutory and regulatory requirements. 
• Highly developed communication, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.

 What you will have

• Tertiary qualification in an appropriate discipline and/or previous management experience in maritime environment.
• Current drivers’ licence 
• Capability to obtain and hold a Maritime Security Identification Card (MSIC)

Where to next?

TasPorts offer a supportive and flexible work environment, professional development opportunities and a range of attractive employee benefits. 

We are committed to building an inclusive, diverse workplace, where the individual differences of our employees are considered value-adding.  We encourage applications from suitably qualified persons, including Indigenous Australians, people of all ages and people with a disability.

All applications are to include the following: 

• Current CV
• Cover Letter

For more information about TasPorts, please visit our website: www.tasports.com.au, or if you have any questions regarding the role - please contact our Recruitment team via email: ***********@tasports.com.au.

Applications close 5pm 20th March 2024.