Marine Enforcement Officer – Welsh Fisheries Monitoring Centre (WFMC)
Wales, United Kingdom Full-time Posted 2 weeks ago
Vacancy title
Marine Enforcement Officer – Welsh Fisheries Monitoring Centre (WFMC)
Closing date
10/06/2026, 16:00
Advertising basis
Permanent
Actual starting salary
£30,754
Salary range or pay band
EO £30,754 to £34,997
Allowances
No
Work pattern
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
Group
Local Govt, Housing, Climate Change and Rural Affairs
Directorate
Rural Affairs
Branch
Control & Enforcement
Location (s)
South West Wales
Main office base
Milford Haven
Purpose of post
The Control & Enforcement Branch within the Welsh Government’s Fisheries Division is essential to the protection of Wales’s marine environment. Operating under the guidance of the Wales Fisheries Strategy, this team oversees all matters related to fish, fishing activities, and fisheries enforcement, with a particular emphasis on sea fishing policy, industry engagement, and cross-border collaboration across the UK and Europe.
About The Role
As a member of the Welsh Fisheries Monitoring Centre (WFMC), you will play an integral role in marine surveillance and regulatory compliance. Your responsibilities will ensure that fishing operations in Welsh waters—by both domestic and foreign vessels—are conducted legally, sustainably, and within the required regulatory framework.
Primary Duties Include
Wider Enforcement Duties
coastal enforcement operations
This position offers the opportunity to meaningfully contribute to the preservation of Wales' marine ecosystems, collaborate closely with key industry and governmental stakeholders, and join a team committed to integrity, sustainability, and public service.
Key tasks
You Will Be Responsible For
Development opportunities
Pathway to Becoming a Marine Enforcement Officer
This role offers a unique opportunity to train and qualify as a warranted Marine Enforcement Officer. You’ll receive structured, hands-on training over approximately 12 months, supported by experienced mentors.
Training Includes
Other vacancy related information
Should Candidates Score The Same After Interview The Candidate Which Scored The Highest In The Following Order Of Priority Will Be Offered The Post
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating & Influencing
Experience – Organisational Skills
Working Together
Experience – effective communication
In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Making Effective Decisions. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Vetting level
Basic
Number of posts
1
Contact point for further information regarding the post
Email: MilfordHavenFisheriesOffice@gov.wales Tel: 03000253500 (central Fisheries Office number)
Welsh language requirements
3 - Welsh language skills are not essential for this post, they are however desirable and will be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage.
Understanding by reading
0 - No skills
Speaking and being understood
0 - No skills
Understanding by listening
0 - No skills
Writing and being understood
0 - No skills
Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
Behaviour 1
The selection process and stages are:
Making Effective Decisions
Please describe a time when you have needed to decide on the best option for something by comparing information from multiple sources including electronically stored data.
Behaviour 2
Communicating and Influencing
Please describe when you have needed to resolve a difficult situation involving others with differing opinions. What was the outcome and how did you make sure the conversation remained constructive.
Behaviour 3
Working Together
Please describe a situation when you have acted to promote ideas for improved ways of working within or between teams to achieve a shared objective.
Evidence to provide
Experience questions
Experience 1
Organisational skills:
Experience 2
Computer skills:
You will be asked about your nationality and if you are legally allowed to work in the United Kingdom. This is to find out if you are eligible to apply for this vacancy. This is a requirement for working within the Civil Service. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria your application will not progress. If it becomes clear at a later stage in the process that you are not eligible to apply, your application may be withdrawn, or the offer retracted.
Nationality Requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Please see the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles on the Commission's website.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and wish to make a complaint please email complaints@gov.wales . Please ensure that you refer to the vacancy reference number.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Welsh Government, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: info@csc.gov.uk.
How To Apply
All applications for this vacancy must be made using our online application system.
Unless stated otherwise in the 'Other vacancy-related information for advert', the Welsh Government cannot offer Visa sponsorship. Welsh Government holds a Visa sponsorship licence, but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
Applications are welcomed from people with a diverse range of lived and professional experiences. We are actively committed to becoming an increasingly diverse organisation which represents the diverse communities we serve. There are a number of Diversity networks that staff can participate in, which include the Disability Awareness and Support Staff Network; Minority Ethnic Staff Network; Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (LGBTI+), Women Together and the Neurodivergence Network.
If you have an impairment which prevents you from applying online, please email our recruitment team. You can:
You should check your Application Centre regularly for updates to your application. Please also check your spam/junk folder in case any communication regarding your application and/or assessment details finds its way there.
Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form. You must complete this and submit it before the deadline on the closing date. We will not consider an incomplete application form.
If you would like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the Change Language link on this page. We welcome applications in Welsh, and applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.
Please see the candidate guidance for more information on the recruitment process.
For information on Civil Service Success Profiles please click here .
For TS to G6 recruitment schemes: When presenting your evidence, you may find it useful to consider the expectations of the grade as set out in the Grade Description as well as the main responsibilities that are essential for the role.
Marine Enforcement Officer – Welsh Fisheries Monitoring Centre (WFMC)
Closing date
10/06/2026, 16:00
Advertising basis
Permanent
Actual starting salary
£30,754
Salary range or pay band
EO £30,754 to £34,997
Allowances
No
Work pattern
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
Group
Local Govt, Housing, Climate Change and Rural Affairs
Directorate
Rural Affairs
Branch
Control & Enforcement
Location (s)
South West Wales
Main office base
Milford Haven
Purpose of post
The Control & Enforcement Branch within the Welsh Government’s Fisheries Division is essential to the protection of Wales’s marine environment. Operating under the guidance of the Wales Fisheries Strategy, this team oversees all matters related to fish, fishing activities, and fisheries enforcement, with a particular emphasis on sea fishing policy, industry engagement, and cross-border collaboration across the UK and Europe.
About The Role
As a member of the Welsh Fisheries Monitoring Centre (WFMC), you will play an integral role in marine surveillance and regulatory compliance. Your responsibilities will ensure that fishing operations in Welsh waters—by both domestic and foreign vessels—are conducted legally, sustainably, and within the required regulatory framework.
Primary Duties Include
- Monitoring vessel activity and statutory data across all sectors
- Supporting trade through catch certificate processing
- Preventing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing
- Managing vessel licensing and contributing to UK-wide marine intelligence initiatives
Wider Enforcement Duties
coastal enforcement operations
This position offers the opportunity to meaningfully contribute to the preservation of Wales' marine ecosystems, collaborate closely with key industry and governmental stakeholders, and join a team committed to integrity, sustainability, and public service.
Key tasks
You Will Be Responsible For
- Monitoring commercial fishing activity in the Welsh Zone using Vessel Monitoring Systems and statutory data submissions.
- Validating catch certificates for the export of fisheries products to the EU, ensuring compliance with international trade regulations.
- Providing real-time operational support to Fishery Patrol Vessels at sea.
- Handling sensitive intelligence with appropriate security clearances.
- Investigating breaches of fisheries legislation and preparing evidence and case files for enforcement action.
- Managing port state control issues, including oversight of UK and foreign vessels landing in Wales or abroad.
- Administering Financial Administrative Penalties and managing investigation files for the branch.
- Sharing intelligence with devolved administrations and prioritising Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported (IUU) fishing activity.
- Analysing statutory data to inform enforcement and policy decisions.
- Monitoring quota uptake by non-UK vessels operating in Welsh waters.
- Managing dispensation requests and contributing to vessel licensing processes for both domestic and foreign vessels.
Development opportunities
Pathway to Becoming a Marine Enforcement Officer
This role offers a unique opportunity to train and qualify as a warranted Marine Enforcement Officer. You’ll receive structured, hands-on training over approximately 12 months, supported by experienced mentors.
Training Includes
- Enforcement procedures and marine legislation
- Specialist modules such as the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE)
- Courses delivered across the UK, often in collaboration with partner agencies
Other vacancy related information
- A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months.
- Although office based, the role may require individuals to assist with the inspection of fishing vessels, examine the fish caught or landed and therefore requires a degree of physical fitness.
- Candidates will be required to work at the Milford Haven office during standard hours, some flexibility on occasional home working can be agreed
Should Candidates Score The Same After Interview The Candidate Which Scored The Highest In The Following Order Of Priority Will Be Offered The Post
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating & Influencing
Experience – Organisational Skills
Working Together
Experience – effective communication
In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Making Effective Decisions. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Vetting level
Basic
Number of posts
1
Contact point for further information regarding the post
Email: MilfordHavenFisheriesOffice@gov.wales Tel: 03000253500 (central Fisheries Office number)
Welsh language requirements
3 - Welsh language skills are not essential for this post, they are however desirable and will be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage.
Understanding by reading
0 - No skills
Speaking and being understood
0 - No skills
Understanding by listening
0 - No skills
Writing and being understood
0 - No skills
Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
Behaviour 1
The selection process and stages are:
Making Effective Decisions
Please describe a time when you have needed to decide on the best option for something by comparing information from multiple sources including electronically stored data.
Behaviour 2
Communicating and Influencing
Please describe when you have needed to resolve a difficult situation involving others with differing opinions. What was the outcome and how did you make sure the conversation remained constructive.
Behaviour 3
Working Together
Please describe a situation when you have acted to promote ideas for improved ways of working within or between teams to achieve a shared objective.
Evidence to provide
Experience questions
Experience 1
Organisational skills:
Experience 2
Computer skills:
You will be asked about your nationality and if you are legally allowed to work in the United Kingdom. This is to find out if you are eligible to apply for this vacancy. This is a requirement for working within the Civil Service. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria your application will not progress. If it becomes clear at a later stage in the process that you are not eligible to apply, your application may be withdrawn, or the offer retracted.
Nationality Requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
- Civil Service Pension Scheme
- 31 days annual leave (pro-rated for part time)
- training and development opportunities
- Cycle2Work Scheme
- Smart Working flexible working arrangement
- Green Car Scheme (subject to availability)
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Please see the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles on the Commission's website.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and wish to make a complaint please email complaints@gov.wales . Please ensure that you refer to the vacancy reference number.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Welsh Government, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: info@csc.gov.uk.
How To Apply
All applications for this vacancy must be made using our online application system.
Unless stated otherwise in the 'Other vacancy-related information for advert', the Welsh Government cannot offer Visa sponsorship. Welsh Government holds a Visa sponsorship licence, but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
Applications are welcomed from people with a diverse range of lived and professional experiences. We are actively committed to becoming an increasingly diverse organisation which represents the diverse communities we serve. There are a number of Diversity networks that staff can participate in, which include the Disability Awareness and Support Staff Network; Minority Ethnic Staff Network; Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (LGBTI+), Women Together and the Neurodivergence Network.
If you have an impairment which prevents you from applying online, please email our recruitment team. You can:
- request an application pack in an alternative format
- request a recruitment adjustment to help you submit your application
You should check your Application Centre regularly for updates to your application. Please also check your spam/junk folder in case any communication regarding your application and/or assessment details finds its way there.
Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form. You must complete this and submit it before the deadline on the closing date. We will not consider an incomplete application form.
If you would like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the Change Language link on this page. We welcome applications in Welsh, and applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.
Please see the candidate guidance for more information on the recruitment process.
For information on Civil Service Success Profiles please click here .
For TS to G6 recruitment schemes: When presenting your evidence, you may find it useful to consider the expectations of the grade as set out in the Grade Description as well as the main responsibilities that are essential for the role.
