Job title: 1011-404 Marine Monitoring Support Officer | Grade: C | Hours: 35 |

Vacancy type: Temporary until 31.03.2029

Salary: £34,478

Location: Hybrid. Any mainland NatureScot office could be considered

Closing date: Midnight 9 August 2026

Interviews: 19 or 20 August 2026

Job Purpose Summary:

As our Marine Monitoring Support Officer, you will play a valuable role in helping influence the future of Scotland’s seas by supporting the evidence-gathering required to protect, manage and restore marine habitats and species. The evidence produced by the work of the team in partnership with others, directly informs our advice and policy approach and is a fundamental element of NatureScot’s wider work on marine nature conservation.

The post would suit a highly motivated and knowledgeable marine ecologist with a good understanding of Scotland’s marine environment, policy and legislation relating to its sustainable use and management. We are looking for someone to help with project management tasks and assist with survey preparations, data collection, management and analysis contracts. The successful candidate will support the current team of marine ecologists and other specialists working on the monitoring programme on protected seabed habitats, marine mammals and elasmobranchs. Liaison with a range of partner organisations, industry representatives and coastal communities will also be an important part of the role.

This is a fixed term post available within NatureScot’s Marine Ecosystems Activity Team for a period of three years, with the possibility of extension. There will be opportunities to input into research and partnerships aimed at developing knowledge and co-operation in key areas within our remit. The role will require regular attendance at our Inverness headquarters in Great Glen House. As this is an entry level role, support and training opportunities will be provided to enable the successful candidate to gain experience in the range of tasks required within the post. This post represents an opportunity to gain a wide variety of experience across the breadth of our marine monitoring programme and the wider work of Scotland’s nature agency. A detailed job plan will be developed once the candidate is appointed, but will likely include the following work areas:

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Contributing to the Marine Monitoring Programme to identify and deliver our monitoring priorities for seabed habitats, marine mammals and elasmobranchs.
• Help with planning and preparations associated with marine monitoring e.g. booking boats & accommodation, travel plans, survey plans, risk assessments etc.
• Support the data collation, processing and storage resulting from marine surveys, as well as production and analysis of trends, and reporting on results.
• Support the procurement and management of survey and analysis contracts, maintaining regular communication with contractors as required.
• Participate in marine biological surveys using a range of field and remote sampling techniques.
• Support monitoring undertaken by citizen scientists and industry through the provision of technical and specialist advice.
• Help manage and maintain our marine survey equipment, while ensuring compliance with relevant health and safety legislation.
• Attend and contribute to relevant internal and external meetings.
• Support the delivery of the marine monitoring team’s communications priorities, producing content for a range of audiences across a range of platforms.
• Production of Site Condition Monitoring (and other similar) assessments.
• Contribute actively to the wider Marine Ecosystems Team, supporting work on Marine Protected Areas, awareness raising, and training initiatives.
• Any other reasonable task assigned.