£41,540 – £41,540MidFull Time
Department: Hydrographic Services, Department of Marine Operations
Reporting to: Geospatial Product Manager
Grade: 8
Salary: £41,540 per annum
Working pattern: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
Base: Gravesend, Kent (home working up to 2 days a week also supported as well as working at the PLA central London base)
Closing date: 30th April 2026
Interview date: 13th May 2026
Who we are:
We are the UK’s largest port, central to the country’s economy and ambitions for growth. We connect the UK to the world, but we are much more than a conventional port.
We are driven by our purpose to protect and improve the 95-mile stretch of the River Thames which is tidal – from Teddington Lock, through the heart of London, Kent, Essex and out to the North Sea.
The role:
The Hydrographic Services team maintain a large portfolio of navigational products as well as the PLA’s wider corporate GIS system.
We are seeking a candidate, educated to degree level in GIS or equivalent subject, ideally with experience in using ESRI ArcGIS Pro. The post would suit candidates with some industry experience and should have a keen interest in technology and the marine sector. You will be customer focused and a team player with strong attention to detail, using data to inform decision making.
The successful candidate will be involved in a broad and varied range of activities supporting technical experts to maintain London as a world class port.
Key responsibilities:
Assist with management of PLA-wide geographic maritime and terrestrial datasets, including digital and paper charts within our hydrographic portfolio.
Supporting projects across the organisation and enabling data-driven decision-making.
Support over 100 users of the corporate GIS system through the delivery of bespoke applications, data, and analysis.
What we are looking for:
Essential
Degree in GIS, Geography, Cartography, Marine/Earth Sciences or similar (Masters desirable).
Practical experience with ESRI ArcGIS Pro and other GIS packages.
Sound theoretical knowledge of mapping techniques including application of coordinate systems, projections and scale.
Through knowledge of MS Office applications.
The ability to communicate technical detail to users in non-technical language.
Use your initiative to solve problems, propose solutions and come up with new ideas.
Desirable
Some experience with database structures and queries specifically MS SQL and Postgres SQL.
Knowledge / awareness of marine cartography, including associated international standards.
Awareness of applied applications for the maritime sector.
Relevant industry experience.
In return, we offer a competitive benefits package:
28 days annual leave (plus Bank Holidays)
Access to training & development
Medical Cash Plan (Westfield Health)
Generous pension
Onsite parking with electric charging
Access to Occupational Health, Mindfulness, Counselling and Physiotherapy
Salary Sacrifice Cycle to Work Scheme
Salary Sacrifice Car-leasing scheme (Tusker Cars)
Access to MyGymDiscounts
For further information or if you would like to have an informal discussion about the position, please contact Amber Hurn, GIS Analyst & Cartographer at Amber.Hurn@pla.co.uk.
The PLA are not registered with the UK Home Office and do not sponsor candidates who require a visa or work permit to work in the UK, therefore an offer of employment cannot be made unless you currently hold the rights to live and work in the UK.
