Ship Communications Officer

The Ship Communications Officer (SCO) is the head of the Communications Department and is responsible to the Master for all operational, administrative and maintenance functions of the Communications Department. Incumbent will keep the Master informed of all capabilities, limitations and conditions of assigned equipment in compliance with current policies and instructions; and initiate actions to correct all equipment deficiencies. Incumbent is responsible for proper planning, managing, and executing of all Communications Department evolutions and Communications Department’s role in ship-wide functions. Incumbent will manage the Command, Control, Communications, Computer (C4) systems. Responsible for the proper operation, maintenance and repair of electronic communications equipment/systems onboard the ship. Assigned as the ship’s Communications Local Element (LE) custodian, incumbent is responsible for all centralized distribution and accounting system designed to provide appropriate safeguards for sensitive cryptographic publications, messages, documents, keying material, equipment and related devices. Responsible for receiving and maintaining accountability of all CMS material allocated to the command’s Local Element (LE) Account. Responsible to the ship’s Master for ensuring all incoming and outgoing Naval message traffic is processed accurately and in compliance with existing regulations. May be designated as the Command Security Manager and Top Secret Control Officer. Responsible for ensuring an aggressive Safety Program is established and maintained in the Communications Department in compliance with current policies and instructions.
Maintain and manage the Radio Electronics Technician (RET) Watch bill, assigning RET personnel to watch sections based on their demonstrated knowledge, training and will ensure the Communications Department Watch stations are manned by qualified personnel at all time. Responsible for the judicious and efficient use of straight time, premium pay and overtime. Incumbent will submit accurate and timely premium pay and overtime records to the Purser at the end of each payroll. Responsible for ensuring all departmental work spaces are kept in good order and free of rust, oil, dirt, debris, fire hazards, missile hazards and excessive paint build up and HAZMAT. Coordinate with the Chief Mate any maintenance of departmental workspaces which require paint/mechanical paint removal, or which require additional manpower to attain. Develop ship specific Duty Statements for personnel under his supervision.

Everything in this Position Description is considered to be an essential function of this position.

Performs all other duties as assigned.