GIS & Cartographic Assistant

GIS & Cartographic Assistant

  • Post Date:21st April 2026
  • Apply Before: 30th April 2026
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Job Description

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

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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.

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