Government of Jersey

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A decision made (06/03/2008) regarding: Pilot - Jersey Harbours - Application to the Population Office for a time unlimited 'J' Category Licence to be granted.

Decision Reference: MD-E-2008-0039
Decision Summary Title :	DS - Application for J Cat - Pilot		Date of Decision Summary:	19.2.08
Decision Summary Author:	Hannah Fearnley Human Resources Officer		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	Request for "J" Category Licence approval		Date of Written Report:	19.2.08
Written Report Author:	Hannah Fearnley Human Resources Officer		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Pilot, Jersey Harbours Application to the Population Office for a time unlimited ‘J’ category Licence to be granted.
Decision(s): The Assistant Minister for Economic Development endorses the proposal to secure the necessary approvals to enable the appointment of a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled person from outside the Island under the auspices of the Housing (General Provisions)(Jersey) Regulations 1979, Regulation 1(1)(j) for the post of Pilot at Jersey Harbours.
Reason(s) for Decision: A local recruitment campaign has failed to identify any suitably qualified and experienced locally qualified candidates for the post of Pilot, grade 10. The role of a Pilot is absolutely essential to ensure continuation of the service that Jersey Harbours offers; to keep the port open for business and ensure safety at sea. The Department is in a challenging phase of port development with increasing competition and service provision with a need to continue the high standard of freight and passenger services. It therefore fulfils the criteria of ‘essential’ as defined under the housing regulations.
Resource Implications: Costs of flights and hotels for candidates - approximately £2,000 Relocation expenses for successful candidate - maximum £8,000
Action required: The Chief Executive Officer to make an application to the Population Office for a ‘J’ category Licence to be granted for the post of Pilot under the auspices of the Housing (General Provisions) (Jersey) Regulations 1970, Regulation 1(1)j; Subject to the approval of the application to the Population Office, Jersey Harbours will appoint a suitably qualified and experienced candidate from outside of the Island to fill this post.
Signature:		Position: Assistant Minister - Economic Development
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Pilot - Jersey Harbours - Application to the Population Office for a time unlimited 'J' Category Licence to be granted.

Report to the Economic Development Assistant Minister

Request for "J" Category Licence approval

Pilot, Jersey Harbours

1. Purpose of the Report

1.1 The Assistant Minister is asked to support a request and recommend approval of a time unlimited ‘J’ category licence for the post of Pilot at Jersey Harbours.

Background and Discussion

2.1 The Department currently has a vacancy for the post of Pilot which is a permanently funded post. The job description has been evaluated and is a CS Grade 10.

2.2 Jersey Harbours is in a challenging phase of port development with increasing competition and service provision with a need to continue the high standard of freight and passenger services.

Being part of the duty roster, the post holder will pilot all types of vessels and, with training, oversee the search and rescue provision within the Jersey Coastguard service for the Island.

The post holder will also take part in the development of the new port and assist in defining the future pilotage provisions.

2.3 The person specification for the post requires various high level qualifications, including a Deck Officer Reg II/(i) (Master Limited European Area), together with 8 years experience in Marine operations and at least 2 years bridge management experience. The Harbourmaster believes that the likelihood of attracting a candidate with the appropriate skills and experience to fulfil this crucial role from within Jersey is remote.

2.4 The post was advertised in the JEP and in a range of south west of England newspapers on 31st January 2008 with a closing date of 14th February. Only one candidate has local housing qualifications and unfortunately does not hold the aforementioned qualifications. There are at least 5 candidates that fit the shortlist criteria, however they do not have local housing qualifications.

2.5 No individual currently within the organisation possesses the experience set. Due to the specifics of the qualifications needed for this role, it is not possible to train existing employees. In view of the need to deliver key operational objectives before the end of 2008 and the lack of suitably qualified local applicants for this post, it is considered expedient to obtain consent for the award of a time unlimited ‘J’ category licence.

2.6 Finally, the Master Pilot must retire from active pilotage in 2009 and part of the need for an additional Pilot is to look at long term succession planning.

Recommendation

3.1 The Assistant Minister for Economic Development endorses the proposal to secure the necessary approvals to enable the appointment of a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled person from outside the Island under the auspices of the Housing (General Provisions)(Jersey) Regulations 1979, Regulation 1(1((j) for the post of Pilot on the basis of a time unlimited ‘J’ category housing licence.

Hannah Fearnley

Human Resources Officer

19th February 2008