Operations Officer

Job title: 1006-331 Operations Officer - South | Grade: C | Vacancy type: Full time, temporary to 26 June 2026 | Hours: 35 hours | Salary £31,719 |Location: Edinburgh, Cupar, Dumfries, Galashiels or Stirling| Closing date: Midday, 12 April 2024 | Internal Interview date: 2 May 2024 | External interview date: 15 May 2024 (Please note if no internal applicants, external interviews will be brought forward to 2 May 2024)

Job Purpose

NatureScot is Scotland’s Nature Agency, protecting and restoring nature, and inspiring everyone to value our natural world. In this role you will contribute to NatureScot’s vision for a nature-rich future for Scotland by encouraging actions to protect, restore and value nature as part of the ‘National Operations South’ team.

Your role will focus on:

(a) Working in a team to deliver NatureScot’s Development Advice Service, advising consulting authorities on the implications of proposals for Scotland’s nature,

(b) Providing advice, as a case officer, on schemes covering agri-environment and climate schemes, Peatland Action and Nature Restoration projects, and

(c) Advising land managers on the impacts of their management proposals on protected areas.

Other areas of work will include monitoring of protected areas, and proactive work to address climate change and biodiversity loss, and the influencing of some strategic plans. .

We are looking for enthusiastic people who want to contribute to helping fight the climate and nature crises in Scotland. There will be flexibility across the balance of the areas of work, depending on the skills and experience of both the individual and of other team members. Training and mentoring will be provided on the technical aspects of the post.

Areas of responsibility

Implementing NatureScot’s policies and priorities as part of the Operational team through:

• Responding to casework consultations, including planning applications, renewable energy proposals, marine licences, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) consents, Controlled Activities Regulations licences, and requests for advice both internally and externally as required.
• Assessing and processing Agri-Environment Climate Scheme applications to secure favourable management of protected areas.
• Providing advice to stakeholders and land managers on protected areas management (including European sites and SSSIs) and wildlife management, including protected species casework.
• Contributing to the monitoring of some protected areas; i.e. SSSIs and European sites, including Site Condition Monitoring and Site Checks.
• Providing advice on land, marine and freshwater management including Invasive Non-Native Species and biodiversity.
• Representing NatureScot in local partnerships and with local stakeholders developing positive relationships with local communities and agencies.
• Responding to information requests for natural heritage information from the general public.

Skills (Please refer to these in your supporting Statement)

• An interest in, and a passion for nature.
• An ability to plan, be flexible, prioritize workloads, to work with others, independently and in a dispersed team.
• An understanding of NatureScot’s role in supporting good development within the planning system.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal, including IT.
• Good interpersonal skills with an ability to work in partnership, to foster good relations and to encourage actions by others.
• An awareness of Scotland’s system of protected areas, including European sites.
• Knowledge and understanding of some of the key issues for nature in Central and Southern Scotland.
• Understanding of land management and its issues, and preferably some experience of working with land managers.
• Relevant degree or equivalent qualification or practical experience in an environmental discipline or countryside management.
• Driving licence or other means of transport.

Prerequisites Required

• Proof of right to work in UK.
• To undertake a Disclosure Scotland application.
• Although Gaelic language is not a prerequisite it is a desirable skill in support of our commitment to our Gaelic Language Plan

Working for NatureScot

NatureScot offers some great benefits to reward and support you whilst you are working for us. Our benefits package includes the civil service pension scheme, a generous holiday leave allowance plus flexi time, and employee discount scheme. Visit the NatureScot website for further details .

NatureScot’s Net Zero commitment

Whether working at home or in an office, or travelling to meetings and site visits, as a NatureScot you will contribute to our Net Zero plan, for example through positive carbon travel choices. You will aim to minimise travel in accordance with NatureScot’s low carbon operating procedures. However, you will, in some circumstances, be expected to work with colleagues and stakeholders from across Scotland, which will involve some travel and may involve overnight stays.

Application Process

Application is by CV and Supporting Statement. Please ensure you have attached these documents when submitting your application.

Before applying for this post;

Internal applicants should read the Self Service Guide (eRDMS A3155575)

External applicants should read the Online Job Application Guide

If you have previously applied for a vacancy with NatureScot you must remove the supporting statement from your profile, before uploading a new version.

Interviews

External candidates will be invited to interview if we are unable to recruit internally

For information regarding the vacancy please contact:

Crispin Hill – crispin.hill@nature.scot

For information regarding the recruitment process please contact:

recruitment@nature.scot

Nature is vital to all of us, so it is vital that we are an organisation for all of Scotland. The more diverse NatureScot is, the better we will be in connecting everyone with nature. We particularly encourage applications from people from Minority Ethnic (ME) backgrounds and people with a disability