Join us at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency
We are the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), and we are one of the four executive agencies that make up the Department for Transport.
What we do matters. The MCA makes a vital difference to hundreds of people every single day. Whether at the beach, coast or sea, people rely on our 24-hour emergency service 365-days a year, whilst our Marine Surveyors operate to ensure high standards of safety for all ships and seafarers around the globe.
Working Here
This is an exciting time to join the MCA! You’ll help us to maintain our aim of being the best maritime safety organisation in the world, and in return, we’ll support you in your ambitions. Whether that is to develop your knowledge or to climb the career ranks, we’ll be behind you every step of the way.
Together, we’ll create a modern, agile, faster-paced organisation. But there’s one thing that will never change: the thing that makes working for the MCA so special, important and unique – our commitment to ensuring the safety of people at sea and the protection of the maritime environment.
You’ll also have the chance to work in a location convenient for you. The MCA has offices based all around the UK, with our Head Office in Southampton, which has access to excellent transport links in and around the city.
Roles
Whatever skills you may have, we can support your development throughout one of the many rewarding careers at the MCA, where we make a difference and contribute to saving lives.
We are currently recruiting for several important roles in our teams across the UK. The work we carry out is varied, exciting and can be flexible to suit your lifestyle. Some of the professions we recruit include:
- Coastguards
- Maritime Safety and Standards
- Commercial
- Finance
- IT (Marine Future Technologies)
- Human Resources
- Estates
Digital
The Information Technology directorate’s goal is to uncover new, efficient methods of operation for the MCA.
HM Coastguard
From enforcement to counter pollution, our highly skilled teams work together to make our coastlines a safer place.
Marine Surveyors
Our Marine Surveyors carry out inspections on ships of all types and sizes all around the world.
What makes the MCA a great place to work?
Our people matter
We understand the importance of work/life balance, especially for those with families or caring responsibilities. Flexible working hours, job share opportunities, wellbeing support and diversity training are just a few examples of our dedication to creating an inclusive environment for everybody.
We offer a competitive benefits package with an attractive pension scheme, generous holiday allowance, childcare vouchers plus much more!
Download our Staff Benefits Brochure
Learn more about the benefits MCA offers to their staff, including; discounts, flexible working arrangements, development opportunities, cycle-to-work schemes, and more.
We reward hard work
The MCA’s Recognising Positive Impact (RPI) scheme is about acknowledging employees’ behaviours or achievements, with timely recognition reward payments. But that’s not all we do to reward our staff.
As an employee of the MCA, you’ll also receive:
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Free health checks
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Retail discounts
Make great savings on purchases through High Street retailers. Find out more about retail discounts.
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Blue Light Card
This provides a discount service for Emergency Services, NHS and Armed Forces staff. It gives you discounts online and on the high street through a physical Blue Light Card.
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Generous pension
You will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.
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Flexible working patterns
- Wherever possible, we offer flexible and variable working hours to help our staff have a healthy work/life balance.
- Many of the jobs are offered as part-time or job-share. Working hours can often be varied to suit personal circumstances, or home working can be considered.
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We look after your health and well-being
The MCA has a range of workplace well-being initiatives to make sure you remain healthy and feel supported at work. We recognise that you bring your whole self to work, so when things happen in your life that mean you need a helping hand, we have a range of support available. This can range from our staff networks or Mental Health Buddies initiative, to our Employee Assistance Programme.
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Maternity, paternity, adoption and parental leave
The department offers maternity, adoption and shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid. We offer paternity leave of 2 weeks full pay.
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Holiday and travel
- All new staff receive 25 days annual leave plus 8 days of public holidays. You will earn an extra day each year of service, up to a maximum of 30 days.
- Staff can also apply for interest free season ticket loans.
- Cycle to work scheme – make tax savings on the purchase of a bike to cycle to work. In addition, interest free season ticket and cycle loans are also available.
A diverse workforce
From Marine Surveyors, IT Technicians to operational Coastguards, our people are highly skilled. We can always rely on the diverse capabilities of our teams to achieve our aims and keep the public safe.
We want you to be the best you can be. We provide regular support, training and development opportunities for all our staff beginning their careers at the MCA.
Across the MCA we host 6 staff network groups run by staff for staff providing friendly support, information and guidance.
Our passion for diversity and equality means creating a work environment for all employees that is welcoming, respectful, engaging, and enriched with opportunities for personal and professional development.
What our people say about working for the MCA
Rob Townsend, Senior Technical Architect
“You get an enormous sense of pride when you hear about the successes of our front line services such as HM Coastguard, Counter Pollution and Survey Branch.”