Hydrography and Meteorology Specialist

Fast track role A high priority role with an accelerated joining process.
Service:Surface Fleet
Branch:Warfare
Level:Rating,Apprenticeship
Technology
Warfare
Sciences
Royal Navy Hydrography and Meterology Specialist checking wind speed
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At a glance

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6 weeks

Of paid holiday every year

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£21,000+

The minimum you’ll earn after training

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Zero

Qualifications needed

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Free

Medical and dental care

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£54,500+

Earn over this amount as you progress

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Travel

All around the world

What you’ll do

Helping to plan global missions for Royal Marines Commandos and our state-of-the-art aircraft and warships is a huge responsibility. That’s what you’ll be doing as a Royal Navy Hydrography and Meteorology Specialist: building a detailed picture of environmental conditions so that our missions are operationally effective. It’s a challenging role, and you’ll work in some of the most diverse environments in the world, whether you’re on an Ice Patrol Ship in the Antarctic, or supporting flying operations from one of our new Aircraft Carriers.

If you have questions, talk to us

call us 0345 607 55 55

Your role

  • You’ll get to choose whether you specialise in Hydrography or Meteorology, and from day one you’ll work towards a Foundation Degree, and then a BSc.
  • Hydrographers complete ocean and coastal surveys, recording information on currents, water composition and depth.
  • Meteorologists measure the environmental impact on operations, determining cloud cover for our aircraft or oceanographic information for our submarines, and ultimately forecasting the weather.
  • Both roles use some of the most advanced kit on the planet. 

What you’ll get

Skills for life

Qualifications you'll gain

  • Attain a Level 3 Data Technician Apprenticeship
  • GCSEs, A-Levels and the option to complete a BSc
  • Specialist vocational qualifications, with a significant financial contribution from us

Skills you'll develop

  • The ability to collect, process and analyse complex data, while understanding how to use it to our advantage 
  • How to use advanced survey equipment and environmental sensors

Career progression

Day one

Professional training at HMS Raleigh, learn basic military skills

Year one

Join your first ship or Royal Naval Air Station, develop skills

First promotion

Become Leading Hand, join a ship or shore establishment

Second promotion

Become Petty Officer, lead a team, take increased responsibility

What you'll need

Eligibility

  • You must be aged 16 to 39
  • No qualifications are required for this role
  • A National of the United Kingdom, a Commonwealth citizen or Dual National
  • A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)
  • Pass the Naval Swimming Test
     

Skills and interests

  • Analytical thinking and good communication skills
  • Interest in cutting-edge technology
  • A passion for working in new and unique environments
  • Team player
  • An adventurous spirit
Check Eligibility

Starting your career

Joining process

Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, the joining process is as follows:

  • Submit an application

    Once you’ve registered your interest and have satisfied the basic eligibility criteria, you will be sent an online application form

  • Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)

    You’ll be tested on: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension.
    To prepare, you can practise the DAA

  • Interview

    A formal interview to talk through your suitability for the role. This is normally conducted using your own device over the Shine video platform

  • Medical and eye tests

    These are quite comprehensive and must be completed by one of our Ministry of Defence-approved doctors

  • Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT)

    This involves completing a 2.4km run on a treadmill within a certain time, at a fitness centre near you

  • Candidate Preparation Course (CPC)

    This four-day induction to life in the Royal Navy, including a Swimming Test and a fitness assessment, is a pass or fail course

  • Start training

    Once you’ve passed a Security Check, you’ll be offered a place at HMS Raleigh

more about the joining process

Find out more

Initial training

Your Royal Navy career begins with 10 weeks’ basic training at HMS Raleigh, a shore base in Torpoint, Cornwall. The discipline, teamwork, organisational, firefighting and weapon handling skills you learn here will stay with you right through your career.

Aim to get as fit as possible before you arrive. You’ll be doing a lot of physical exercise, and you’ll find it much easier if you’re already in shape.

There's also a swimming test, so if you can't swim, make sure you learn by the time you join us.

more about initial training

Find out more

Professional training

Once you’ve learnt the essential military and maritime skills, it’ll be time to start your specialist training at HMS Drake in Devonport.

For Hydrography Specialists, this includes:

  • Learning about tidal theory, the global positioning system, gravity and magnetics
  • Using a range of surveying equipment and techniques
  • Understanding your role as Helmsman, including boat-handling and general seamanship

For Meteorology Specialists, this includes:

  • Learning basic meteorological and oceanographic theory
  • Qualifying as an accredited weather observer
  • Gaining 12 months of experience at a Royal Naval Air Station before going to sea

more about professional training

Find out more

Request your application
Register your interest
Call 0345 607 55 55
Find your local AFCO

Need more information?

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