Sandbox-2:WilliamMurdoch

The chain of command represents how orders are distributed throughout the ship. It is part of a power structure: usually seen as the most vulnerable and also the most powerful part of it. Starting from the most authorized, the Captain, through the Head of Department, down to the lowliest subordinate to finally accomplish the task needed, in order to make the ship function as efficiently as possible.

The Heads should not start doing the simplest tasks themselves unless the ship's already beyond saving.

Notice: Heads can demote their department staff at any time. To do this, use the ID console with either the Executive Officer, or Captain's access to remote the staff member to suspended or assistant. So if one of your guys isn't acting like an appropriate team player, don't hesitate to show them who's boss.

Heads of Staff

A.K.A. the command staff. These are the men and women charged with the administration of the ship. Each of them have general access to each department and the Bridge, the keycard authentication devices, the command radio channel (accessed with :c), the ability to make station-wide announcements, the ability to change alert level, and cool uniforms fax machines.

Captain

The Commanding Officer with authority over the entire ship. They are the ultimate decision maker.

Duties: The primary duty of the Captain is to keep the ship and her crew safe and functioning. Their actions are expected to be in the best interest of crew, ship, and SCC. The secondary duty is to achieve ship and SCC goals. The way in which a captain satisfies these duties are dependent on each individual captain, however the recommended and primary path is with delegation to other Command staff to leave external interactions (i.e. ship to ship communication) and higher level decisions with their role.

Executive Officer

The Executive Officer is the head of staff for the Bridge and Service department. They manage the ship finances alongside the captain, as well as handle any ID modifications. However, they are not Second in Command to the captain, nor immediate acting captain in an emergency.

Duties:The primary duties of the Executive Officer are to manage the Service Department and Bridge. This will usually require decisions in regard to ship destination, external communication, and managing vessel shuttles. During ship-based combat, the Executive Officer takes on primary role of coordinating the various Bridge stations, as well as communication with Operations and the Operations Manager to coordinate ammunition and weapons loading.

Secondary Duties include managing the ship's finances, the modification of IDs where necessary, and offering guidance to the Security Department in absence of the Head of Security.

Head of Security

Equal rank with all other non-captain Heads of Staff. Although he technically has access, other Heads may deny him from entering their domains. Usually withheld from a promotion to acting Captain if other Heads are available, however in times of crisis he may force himself into the position as acting Captain to better control the crisis. Oversees security matters with authority over Security Officers, the Warden and the Detective. Expected to detain and handle those who endanger the station, including other heads of staff, and in some cases, the Captain.

Required knowledge: How to use security equipment, a firm grasp on Space Law, and rough idea of what kind of threats the station will have to face and how to deal with them.

Round-start to-do list: Get your officers to report in, if they don't, remind them that the security force doesn't work without teamwork and communication, and have them demoted if they're still acting like a lone mute wolf.

Main tasks: Try to keep the crew as safe as possible. Keep your officers from degenerating to shitcurity when things get rough.

Main problems: Assistants pushing each other is not a big problem, you shouldn't have to spend much time on those. Focus on the big fish instead.

Research Director

Equal rank with all other non-captain Heads of Staff. Due to AI access, often promoted to acting Captain if there is neither a Captain nor a HoP. Oversees research efforts with authority over Scientists, Roboticists, and Geneticists. Maintains the integrity of the AI and its Cyborgs.

Required knowledge: Know how R&D works, how to upgrade machines, how xenobiology works, how genetics work and how robotics work.

Round-start to-do list: Make sure every sector is taken care of and fill in if needed. Ask if there are miners around and request the minerals the upgrades and Robotics both need.

Main tasks: Doing researches. Watching over the cyborgs, the AI and the Science Team, and act accordingly. Upgrading machines across the station.

Main problems: Bombs made in ordnance usually get sneaked out and exploded. Check on them from time to time. Malfs, emagged borgs and Mechs used irresponsibly.

Chief Engineer

Equal rank with all other non-captain Heads of Staff. Oversees the maintenance of the station, with authority over Station Engineers and Atmospheric Technicians. Authority over Telecoms maintenance.

Required knowledge: How the telecommunications, atmospherics, solars and the supermatter work. How to deconstruct an APC.

Round-start to-do list: Have your team start the supermatter correctly and have power flowing to the station. Make sure the atmospheric system is set up correctly.

Main tasks: Listening the radio for people yelling about station damage and delegating your engineers there with appropriate tools and materials.

Main problems: The station is bound to have explosions or at least mfinor holes in it during the shift. Learn how to tackle the exploded telecommunications -situation and you'll be irreplaceable in more than one shift, guaranteed.

Chief Medical Officer

Equal rank with all other non-captain Heads of Staff. If a Head of Staff is acting medically unstable, it is the CMO's duty to disable and treat them till they are once again fit for duty (which could be never). Oversees station-wide medical issues with authority over the Surgeons, Chemists and Medical Doctors.

Required knowledge: How to perform surgery. Formulas for the most common medicines. How to prepare and administer clean SEs.

Round-start to-do list: Make an announcement to the crew about maxing out their suit sensors so you'll be able to help them when they get in trouble. Check that the cryogenic tubes get set up, possibly with a more efficient mixture of chemicals from the chemist.

Main tasks: Check the Crew Monitoring Console from time to time for dead/dying people.

Main problems: Medical jobs are a common choice for new players seeking a relevant role. So when not absent, dead, or traitorous, expect your staff to need constant babysitting and guidance on how to perform even basic treatments.

Operations Manager

Equal rank with all other non-captain Heads of Staff. In charge of the station's finances and supply sector which delivers materials, food, medicine, weapons, mail and other goods. Has authority over the Cargo Technicians and Shaft Miners.

Required knowledge: Managing Cargo Tech's, how to operate the Cargo Bay.

Round-start to-do list: Check how many Cargo Tech's are on shift, get them doing something useful such as collecting crates.

Main tasks: Processing crew order requests.

Main problems: Hostile and impatient crew members, syndicate sympathizers, miners not appreciating you taking some plasma for points, inept cargo techs, miners dying in the first five minutes, hostile fauna, and Security. Depending on your loyalty to the station you will either face problems from Security or revolutionary's/ cultists/ the grey-tide. People telling you that you're not a "real head", even though you're not.

Other Management Roles

While the following jobs have management roles, they are not Heads of Staff and get none of the perks associated with being a Head of Staff.

Warden

Subordinate to the Head of Security.

Authority over the brig, Security Officers, and all personnel of equal rank and below as long as they are within the brig.

Required knowledge: Processing prisoners, managing Security operations and personnel and keeping the brig secure.

Round-start to-do list: Ensure the brig is secure, check if there is a HoS/Sec Officers present.

Main tasks: Keeping the brig as secure as possible, ensuring no one attempts to loot the brig, keeping prisoners in check and ensuring they are released on schedule.

Main problems: Non-compliant Security Officers. HoP handing out Armory access. People attempting to break into the brig.

Centcom Official

Depending on his rank, he may have the authority to dismiss the Captain from his position, or even outrank the Captain.

Otherwise, he possesses no actual authority over anyone on station and is reliant on ingratiating himself with the command staff.

Required knowledge: The Chain of Command, knowing what your assigned task is from Central Command. Having good social skills.

Round-start to-do list: Inform the command staff of your presence.

Main tasks: Whatever Central Command assigned you.

Main problems: Suspicious Security Officers, non-compliant heads of staff and enemies of the corporation.

Emergency Situations

Appointing an Acting Captain

An Acting Captain can be appointed by majority of command. Usually, appointing an Acting Captain is done in Code Red. The acting captain acts as if they have ultimate authority (including the ability to appoint interims as an interim captain themselves) abroad the station until an emergency concludes.

Interim Heads of Staff

In the event that a department is lacking a Head of Staff, someone with enough training can be assigned as a Interim Head of Staff by the Captain, Acting Captain, or the Head of Personnel. They assume all responsibilities as said Head of Staff until their services are no longer needed, such as when said Head of Staff is made available or they are demoted.

Missing Head of Staff

Chain of command works a lot like line/lane leading, you may will often jump in to fill in for giving directions in place where some heads of staff don't exist. You may need to provide leadership, giving directions, and helping out wherever necessary. You could also appoint an Interim Head of Staff to manage their own department due to their vast knowledge and experience in their respective department. For example, there is no CMO but there is an otherwise filled medical staff, you would take leadership and do the best you can help or you may appoint a qualified medical personnel to Interim Chief Medical Officer to manage the Medical Department.