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Captain Job Description

What does a Captain do?

In the British UK context, a Captain is typically responsible for leading a team or crew in various industries such as aviation, maritime, military, or sports. The specific duties of a Captain will vary depending on the field in which they work but generally involve supervising and ensuring the safety of their team members, making critical decisions and delegating tasks, maintaining equipment and facilities, and communicating with other relevant parties. Captains are often required to have extensive experience and specialist knowledge in their field, as well as strong leadership skills and the ability to remain calm and composed under pressure.

Our Captain job description includes the Captain responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.

Captain Example


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If you need an example job description for a Captain download the one below, alternatively we have many other Public Sector job description samples and a job description library with over 3000 job descriptions templates that you can download for free.

What does a Captain do?

The Captain is responsible for leading a team of crew members and ensuring the safe and efficient running of a ship. They are responsible for the navigational safety, security and operational performance of the ship and its crew. They are also responsible for overseeing the loading, discharging and storage of cargo and passenger baggage, as well as the maintenance of the ship and its equipment. In addition, the Captain must ensure that the crew is adequately trained and qualified in accordance with maritime regulations and maintain a high standard of service that meets the needs of the customers.

Captain Role Purpose

The purpose of a Captain job role is to lead a team and be responsible for its performance. They will be expected to manage a team of staff, set objectives and motivate them to achieve those objectives. Captains must also ensure the safety and welfare of their team, and provide direction and guidance in difficult situations. They must also have an in-depth knowledge of relevant laws and regulations, and ensure that their team adheres to them.

Captain Role

Captain is a senior officer rank in the military and some other organisations, such as the police. A captain is typically in charge of a company or squadron of personnel and is responsible for their wellbeing and performance in their job.

Captain Duties

  • Planning and directing operations
  • Negotiating contracts
  • Organising the recruitment, training and development of personnel
  • Maintaining company policies and procedures
  • Ensuring the safety of crew and passengers
  • Providing direction and guidance to crew members

Captain Requirements

  • Lead a team of crew members
  • Plan and coordinate operational activities
  • Maintain and monitor shipboard equipment
  • Ensure the safety of passengers and crew
  • Ensure the security of the vessel

Captain Skills

  • Leadership
  • Strategic planning
  • Organisational skills
  • Initiative
  • Interpersonal communication

Captain Personal Traits

  • Leadership
  • Problem-solving
  • Teamwork
  • Decision-making
  • Organisational
  • Communication

How to write a Captain Job Advert

Use our job advert template to write a job advert for posting on job sites and job boards. Our job advertising templates are carefully created to help you reach your audience and beat the competition to the best talent.

A job description informs the reader about a job, whereas a job advert’s main objective is to sell the job opportunity to attract as many suitable applicants possible. A job advert maybe the first touch-point a candidate has with your company so it is important to create a great impression.

Job Advertisements should enticing, so considering using short, exciting language which get the reader’s attention.

How to write a Captain Job Description

To write a job description, we recommend starting with a job description template from our job description library, which contains examples for 800+ positions and professions. Our job description examples include a job summary with duties and responsibilities and skills and requirements, which can be personalised for your job vacancy.

Job Description Advice - Guidance on How to Personalise a Captain Job Specification

The hiring process and recruiting new employees to fill your key roles requires a degree of personalisation if you are to attract the best employees in a competitive employment market. The right person for a crucial role or more senior roles will likely have other employers targeting them. As your job description will be the first point of contact, you need to nail your pitch and provide the best possible service.

Job Description Tips - Help on formatting a Captain Job Specification

When creating your bespoke description and advert, you should cover and promote these points:

Job title: This should accurately reflect the role and include keywords that top talent might be using to search for jobs.

Job duties: The day to day duties, such as administrative tasks, which vary depending on the company and inform the candidate if they can complete the role.

Technical skills: These are the hard skills required through training, such as proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Soft skills: These include the interpersonal skills and general abilities the right candidates will possess. For example, the competency to prioritise multiple tasks, handle customer queries and customer complaints, work alone, or build a good relationship with coworkers.

The company's culture: Highlighting your company culture and values ensures employees thrive and find outstanding job satisfaction. Candidates that are not the right fit won’t waste their time completing the application process, meaning you can focus on qualified individuals and hire in a more timely manner.

Career progression: Including the career path will entice candidates looking for career growth. 

Training and development programs: Smaller companies may need employees with previous experience or provide educational assistance over internal training offered by larger organisations with more significant resources. 

Employee benefits: Compensation and benefits often fail to appear in job ads and while you may want to hold your cards close to your chest, failing to include them is a mistake. Consider answering common questions, such as working hours and paid leave. Researching the average salary for the role in these early stages will ensure you don’t waste your interviewer’s and the candidate’s time.

Skill gaps: Your company may need to bring in new skills beyond those required to complete the key role and duties. Thinking on an organisational level can be beneficial when contemplating skills diversity.

Legal requirements: Ensure your job advert and description does not ask for inappropriate or discriminatory personal details, such as age, marital status, or religion.

How to Hire a Captain

Once you have selected your Job Description download it or convert it to a Job Advert. From here you can post/advertise your job across our network of job boards. If you wish to use the job description for a CV Template click through for advice and Convert to a CV

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