Cashless Service

Torbay Harbour Authority and Beaches are transitioning to a cashless service across all offices, quaysides, and beaches. This will cover, among other things, visitor charges, launch and recovery, electric, and short-term beach hut hires.

This change will apply from Monday 14th April. Our goal is to streamline operations, improve the safety of our staff and the service efficiency.

Thank you for your understanding.

Tor Bay Harbour

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Harbour Assistant - 37 Hours

Tor Bay Harbour Authority, Torbay, Devon

£26,403 - £28,142 / year

Job Description & Person Specification >

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Join Torbay Council as a Harbour Assistant and play a vital role in maintaining our beautiful harbour estates.

This role will be primarily based at Torquay Harbour, but you may be required to cover Paignton or Brixham at times. The role requires occasional weekend working which is split between the Harbour Assistants on a rota basis. Weekend work benefits from enhanced pay.

Under the direction of the Harbour Master and their team, you'll assist with a variety of day-to-day operations and maintenance activities, ensuring our quays and infrastructure are well-maintained, clean, and safe.

You will provide a professional and efficient service to customers, visitors, and the public. Key duties include assisting with vessel arrivals and departures, collecting harbour charges, managing traffic and parking, maintaining communication, and enforcing Harbour Bye-laws.

If you're passionate about maritime activities and ready to contribute to the
community, apply now to be part of our dedicated team!

If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the full job description by placing the below URL into your browser:
https://www.torbay.gov.uk/jobs/job-descriptions/harbour-assistant/ 

For an informal chat please contact George O'Rourke on 01803 208282 or georgeorourke@torbay.gov.uk

Application Deadline: 26th November 2025

Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 5th December 2025. 

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. 

Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there's a published deadline - so if you're keen, please apply as soon as possible.

Skills

Essential:
  • A high level of customer care with proven experience. 
  • Ability to work on own initiative without close supervision. 
  • Ability to attend the harbour within 30 minutes, outside normal working hours, in an emergency situation. 
  • Ability to deal tactfully and diplomatically with people of all ages and backgrounds. 
  • Ability to deal with conflict situations with tact and diplomacy when required. 
This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Knowledge

Essential:
  • Understanding of small boats and basics ship requirements, including the practices of good seamanship. 
  • Basic knowledge of PC/IT systems. 

Experience & Qualifications

Essential:
  • Educated to GCSE/O Level standard or equivalent. 
  • Maritime Certification (RYA Powerboat Level 2/ MCA Boatmaster). 
  • Short Range VHF Radio Certificate of Competence. 
  • Previous maritime experience. 
  • Full Driving Licence. 

About Torbay Council

Please review the available pages within the careers site.
A list of employer benefits can be found here.

 

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