VTS Operator V | X | M

What will you be doing?

In our area of operation - the busy Port of Rotterdam - ocean-going vessels, inland waterway vessels, and recreational craft all have to navigate their way through. As a VTS operator, you act as the traffic controller for ships that may not yet be able to see each other but will inevitably encounter one another.  

Every day, you guide hundreds of ships from the Van Brienenoord Bridge out to 75 km at sea; sometimes there are as many as eighty VHF radio calls per hour between various ships and the Traffic Control Center. The operational area is divided into different sectors; as a VTS operator, you oversee a different part of the port every hour. Your mission: to provide waterway users with crucial traffic information in a timely manner to ensure smooth and safe passage.

As a VTS operator, you make a real difference in an environment that truly matters. You’ll work a varied schedule, including morning, afternoon, and evening shifts. Want to learn more? Check out the videos featuring our colleaguesLucandBennie!

Education

We’ll cover the cost of your VTS operator training, and you’ll start earning a salary right away! The training program lasts about 11 months and consists of two parts: Initial Training and Sector Training. 

The Initial Training takes place at theNNVO training institute. The course uses realistic, real-world scenarios to teach you, step by step, how to interpret complex traffic situations and how to communicate with road users. Upon completion of this 18-week program, you will have earned the national basic certification.

The Sector Training takes place at the Botlek Traffic Control Center. During the Sector Training, you will receive on-the-job guidance from experienced colleagues, learn to work under pressure in a digitalized environment, and develop the necessary skills. The goal is to gain knowledge of the port area and the companies located there (topography). You will also learn to deal with local conditions and traffic flows, act as a port authority, and apply laws, regulations, and learned procedures. In this way, you will gain sufficient practical experience to work independently as a VTS operator.

What do we offer?

• An attractive, independent role:We encourage you to take the initiative, and your impact is immediately noticeable.
• Competitive salary: Depending on your education and experience, we offer a Starting salary of up to €6,025 gross per month.
  This salary consists of:
  • base salary:€4,028
  • Irregular hours allowance (30%) for 24/7 shifts:€1,208
  • flexible compensation budget (19.6%):€789
  • All of this is based on a 36-hour contract with an actual workweek of 33.6 hours. You can advance toa monthly salary of €9,381asa VTS Supervisor(including shift differential and a flexible compensation budget).
  • Ourflexible compensation budgetincludes: the "
    " vacation allowance (8%), a thirteenth-month bonus (8.33%), a wellness allowance (2.3%), and an additional budget (0.97%). You can have this budget paid out in advance or use it for things like a bicycle, sustainable investments, additional pension contributions, extra leave hours, or supplementary training costs.

• A 33.6-hour workweek, designed to promote a healthy work-life balance.
• Career Opportunities:As a new VTS operator, you’re just starting your career at the Port Authority. You can advance to roles such as VTS Supervisor, Duty Officer, or Team Leader within the Traffic Management Department. In our international work environment, there’s always a position that matches your ambitions. You might even be our future Port Master!
• Great coworkers:You’ll work alongside wonderful colleagues and, if you’d like, enjoy a vibrant social life thanks to our diverse and active employee networks.
• Health & Wellness:Discounts on your gym membership, fresh fruit at work, and a work environment that prioritizes health, well-being, and accessibility.
• Travel Expense Reimbursement:Whether you travel by car or bicycle, we’ll provide appropriate reimbursement.
• Prospect of a permanent position:If both parties are satisfied, you will receive a permanent contract after completing your training and working for one year.
• Excellent pension plan:Through the ABP (average-salary scheme), under which we pay approximately 70% of the contribution.
• Company-issued laptop and cell phone:Always have the right tools on hand to do your job effectively.
• Training and development opportunities:A wide range of training courses and programs to help you grow professionally.

Department Information

Due to its public mandate, the Harbor Master’s Division holds a special position within the Port of Rotterdam Authority, with the goal of ensuring that shipping operations proceed smoothly, safely, cleanly, and securely. The Traffic Management Department is part of the Harbor Master’s Division and is responsible for operational traffic management through traffic guidance and the operation of locks. Traffic guidance involves monitoring, advising, and, if necessary, instructing shipping vessels. The Traffic Management Department employs approximately 110 dedicated professionals who work with pride and passion. A large number of our colleagues come from the shipping industry and the navy, so we all speak the same language. 

What are we looking for in a candidate?

To begin the program, you must have at least an MBO-4 diploma and a demonstrable interest in the maritime field, preferably with relevant work experience. For the position of VTS operator, we are looking for specific personality traits and competencies: 

• Focus: As a VTS operator, you work with alertness and concentration. You constantly monitor whether traffic is flowing as expected and whether your instructions are being carried out correctly. You must also be alert to unexpected or unusual situations. To stay sharp, there is ample opportunity for relaxation and (mandatory) breaks so that you can return to work with renewed focus. After all, you can’t stay focused indefinitely.
• Maintaining an overview:As a VTS operator, you guide maritime traffic smoothly, safely, and efficiently through the Port of Rotterdam using radar screens. By accurately interpreting your radar screen, you maintain an overview of all vessels in your area of responsibility, follow the correct procedures, and identify potential conflicts in a timely manner. You also constantly anticipate how this situation will evolve in the future. 
• Communicate clearly: Your voice is the only link between you and the vessel, so it is very important. You must always remain calm and clear in what you say, and there must be no ambiguity in the message you convey as a VTS operator. 
• Assertiveness: A VTS operator always acts proactively and takes the lead. It is especially important to be able to act quickly in unexpected situations. In this job, you must have enough confidence to take charge and bring the situation under control, even when you don’t have all the information at your disposal.

An assessment, integrity check, and online screening are part of the selection process. Valicare conducts this screening on behalf of the Port Authority.