Cook Steward (4201)

Job summary

Join our vessel crew and help support the important work that protects Scotland's seas and advances marine science.

The Marine Directorate is the Scottish Government's lead marine management organisation, bringing together scientific research, compliance, policy and management to support the sustainable use and protection of Scotland's marine environment. We are recruiting Cook/Stewards to join our Marine Protection and Marine Research Vessel fleet, working at sea as part of a professional onboard team that enables the successful delivery of marine protection patrols and scientific research programmes.

As a Cook/Steward, you will provide an essential catering, housekeeping and hospitality service that supports the day-to-day operation of our vessels and the wellbeing of everyone on board. Working in a unique maritime environment, your role will help create a safe, comfortable and welcoming living and working environment for crew members, scientific staff and visitors, contributing directly to the effective delivery of the vessel's operational objectives.

This role will initially be based on board MRV Scotia, but you may be asked to work on any of our MPVs or MRVs.

Job description

• Prepare and cook all meals in accordance with approved menus for crew, official visitors and guests.
• Assist with menu planning and daily menu preparation as directed by the Chief Steward.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness in galleys, pantries, food handling areas, food storage spaces, equipment, utensils, fixtures and communal areas.
• Clean officers’ cabins and manage housekeeping duties, including arranging and distributing changes of bed linen and towels.
• Set, clear and present dining areas for meals and events as directed.
• Serve meals and refreshments to crew, officers, official visitors and guests, including self-service arrangements where applicable.
• Receive, store and manage catering provisions and supplies.
• Assist with other catering and hospitality duties as required.
• Observe and comply with relevant fleet instructions, procedures and duty rosters.
• Undertake any other duties as directed by the Commanding Officer, First Officer (Executive) or Chief Steward.

Person specification

Success profile:Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of behaviours, experience and technical criteria (if applicable) that candidates will be assessed on.
Technical / Professional Skills:

• Connections and communication with stakeholders – Awareness level
• Adaptability to change – Awareness level
• Delivery and decision making at speed – Awareness level

You can find out more about the skills required here: ODP Competency Framework

Experience:

• Experience of preparing and cooking nutritious meals in a professional catering environment, including menu planning, stock management and delivering a high-quality catering service with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge and practical application of food safety, hygiene and safe working practices, with experience of maintaining high standards of cleanliness in food preparation, storage and service areas.

Qualifications

MCA Ship's Cook Certificate Part 2.
Valid ENG1 Certificate without limitations.
All relevant STCW qualifications to serve in the role of Cook/Steward on a UK merchant vessel.

Please confirm that you hold these qualifications. If you do not hold all of the above qualifications, your application will not be considered.

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Connections and communication with stakeholders – Awareness level
• Adaptability to change – Awareness level
• Delivery and decision making at speed – Awareness level

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £40,853, Scottish Government contributes £11,835 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Experience and Technical skills.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and job simulation.

Assessments are scheduled for w/c 14 September 2026 however, this may be subject to change.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

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) (opens in a new window)
• 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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

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