331 Operations Officer

Job Title: /331 Operations Officer – Central Highland| Grade: D | 35 hours per week | Vacancy Type: 1x Permanent and 1 FTA to 31 March 2028 | Salary £40,161 | Location: Dingwall, Inverness, Aviemore, Fort William (some homeworking possible) | Closing Date: Midday 17 December | Internal Interview Date: 15 January 2025 | External Interview Date: 27 January 2025

Job Purpose Summary

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 action to protect, restore and value nature as part of the local Operational 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) advising land managers on the impacts of their management proposals on protected areas, (C) AECS Case officer. Other areas of work will include monitoring of protected areas, wildlife crime, licensing, aquaculture case work, and proactive work to address climate change and biodiversity loss in local partnerships.

We are looking for flexibility across the balance of the areas of work, depending on the skills and experience of the individual and of other team members. Training and mentoring will be provided on the technical aspects of the post.

Areas of responsibility

• Advising consenting authorities on the implications of development proposals affecting protected areas on land, the coast and in the marine environment, with a focus on complex and EIA-scale cases.
• Providing advice on terrestrial and marine protected areas management and wildlife management.
• Assessing and processing Agri-Environment Climate Scheme applications
• Undertaking appropriate training and development

Skills (Please refer to these in your supporting Statement)

• An interest in, and a passion for nature.
• Ability to plan, be flexible, prioritise workloads, to work with others, independently and in a dispersed team.
• 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.
• Experience (awareness for C grade post) advising on Scotland's system of protected areas, including European sites.
• Knowledge and understanding of the key issues of the Highlands in relation to biodiversity and climate change.
• Understanding of land management, and experience of working with land managers.
• Understanding of marine and coastal management and experience of working with marine stakeholders.
• Experience (awareness for C grade post) advising on of NatureScot's role in supporting good development.
• Relevant degree or equivalent qualification or practical experience in an environmental discipline or countryside management.
• Driving licence or other means of transport.

Prerequisites Required:

• 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.
• Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK and resident in Scotland for the duration of the job contract

Working for NatureScot – what we offer you

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 including below:

• An environment with flexible working options.
• A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% (7.35% employee contributions)
• 41.5 days of annual leave, including 5 fixed public holidays on St Andrews Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and 2nd January.
• Equivalent of 2 days paid volunteering leave.
• A focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme.
• Job satisfaction from contributing proactively to the twinned nature and climate crisis.
• Death in service benefits.
• Cycle to work and electric vehicle salary sacrifice schemes.
• Access to an employee discounts scheme.
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.

Application Process

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

Before applying for this post:

• Internal applicants should read the Self Service Guide (eRDMS A If you have previously applied for a vacancy with NatureScot you must remove the supporting statement from your profile, before uploading a new version.
• 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

These will be arranged as a Microsoft Teams call. External candidates will be invited to interview if we are unable to recruit internally.

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.

For information regarding the post please contact:

Karen Mitchell, Operations Manager, Central Highland

Email: Mobile:

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.