Head of Wildlife Management

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 234488**Salary**:

- £43,395 - £47,245**Grade**:

- Senior Executive Officer**Contract type**:

- Permanent**Business area**:

- FLS - Land Management**Type of role**:

- Operational Delivery**Working pattern**:

- Flexible working, Full-time**Number of posts**:

- 1Contents

Location

About the job

Things you need to know

Location
- ScotlandAbout the job

**Summary**:
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) have an exciting opportunity to join us as our Head of Wildlife Management playing a pivotal role in supporting successful delivery of our organisational objectives as we manage Scotland’s national forests and land. This work will be an important contribution to delivery of the Scottish Government’s forthcoming updated biodiversity strategy.

FLS is the Scottish Government agency that is responsible for the day-to-day management of Scotland’s national forests and land and was formed in 2019 following the devolution of the former cross border body known as the Forestry Commission.

We look after 9% of Scotland’s land area (640,000ha) that incorporates some of Scotland’s most beautiful and historic landscapes, sustainable commercial forests, open habitat and designated land. We deliver nature based solutions - including increasing tree cover and restoring degraded peatland - that make significant contributions to Climate Emergency mitigation, add momentum to the journey towards Net Zero, and to the national effort to reduce nature loss and conserve endangered species and habitats. The Head of Wildlife Management role is an exciting, interesting and vital role in FLS as we deliver these public benefits from Scotland’s national forests and land.

FLS are recognised as leaders in wildlife management and in particular deer management as noted in the Independent Deer Working Group’s report to government in 2019. Deer management is a vital part of our overall approach to sustainable forest management and the Head of Wildlife Management play an important leadership role as ‘head of profession’ for wildlife management in FLS.

We are looking for an individual who can see the big picture, think strategically and communicate and collaborate effectively across FLS teams and with external partners to lead wildlife management in an evidence based way that focuses on the highest standards of safety and animal welfare.

Support and mentoring will be provided by the Head of Operational Support and the Head of Technical Services Group to help you ‘grow’ into the role and to connect and work with colleagues across government and the wildlife management sector. A key part of the role will involve providing professional practitioner advice to policy makers in Scottish Government to help implement the recommendations of the deer working group across Scotland.

**Job description**:
We are looking for a leader that inspires and works collaboratively across multiple teams to foster a ‘one team’ approach to wildlife management and to delivering increasingly challenging environmental outcomes on Scotland’s national forests and land.

You role will be to act as ‘head of profession’ for Wildlife Management in FLS by leading, communicating and collaborating with staff across FLS and external partners and policy makers. As such we are looking for an individual who can build and maintain excellent working relationships and as a result is respected by others in the wildlife management profession.

You will also have delegated responsibility from the CEO for firearms management within FLS and provide assurance to Head of Operational Support and the Head of Technical Services that deer and other wildlife management programmes are being delivered in line with targets, standards and the aims of “Scotland’s Wild Deer - a National Approach”.

The role also involves overseeing work to provide guidance and support to regional teams on wildlife management and encouraging good use of data and evidence to inform decision making particularly around cull setting and working collaboratively with Planning and Environment colleagues.

You will act as a focal point for other national teams to seek contributions and advice on wildlife management e.g. the Planning and Environment team in relation to land management planning matters and the Marketing and Sales team in relation to venison marketing.

FLS has a strong focus on highest standards of safety and animal welfare and was recognised by the independent Deer Working Group as a leader in deer management. We seek to continually improve and play a key role in supporting the Scottish Government implement the DWG recommendations which are vital in the context of responding to the twin crisis of climate and biodiversity loss.

**Responsibilities**:
Team management - You will line manage the Wildlife Management Support Officer (PB4) and the Wildlife Management Training Officer (PB4).

As ‘head of profession’ for Wildlife Management