Key Responsibilities

• Lead in the provision of robust, timely, solution-focused and clearly articulated advice for coastal and marine development proposals and casework in respect of benthic, non-native species/biosecurity and wider biodiversity impacts.
• Represent NatureScot at meetings with developers, consultees and Scottish Government Directorates.
• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders (e.g. Marine Directorate, Local Planning Authorities) and represent NatureScot on relevant forums.
• Work with colleagues and partners to identify and prioritise guidance and research in respect of coastal and marine development effects in the marine environment and represent NatureScot on relevant external protect steering groups.
• Contribute to the wider team within NatureScot, building knowledge and capacity for engagement with coastal and marine development casework.
• Applying, and contributing to the development of procedures, guidance and standards that help us deliver robust advice.
• Manage correct storage of case information and advice through email, filing systems and MS Teams, following agreed casework processes.
• Represent NatureScot at conferences and events and promote awareness of our work through social media, press releases and the NatureScot website.

Skills Required

• A degree in a relevant subject, relevant post-graduate experience or work experience or equivalent.
• A comprehensive understanding in Scottish / UK waters of benthic ecology and marine non-native species and issues relating to their conservation and management.
• Knowledge and experience of coastal and marine industries, relevant to Scotland, particularly finfish aquaculture and the potential interactions of these activities with marine habitats and species.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to provide clear solution-focused advice, including experience in critical appraisal of technical reports and papers.
• Proven ability to influence and forge good working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Ability to effectively plan and manage workloads, work to deadlines and adapt to changing priorities while balancing a high volume of reactive work.
• Work collaboratively, demonstrate empathy and understanding of the views and positions of others, while also showing commitment to overall team performance.
• Ability to analyse, interpret and manage scientific information - including practical experience of data handling and applying statistical methods.

Prerequisites Required

• Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK and resident in Scotland for the duration of the job contract.
• 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 – 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 https://www.nature.scot/about-naturescot/working-and-volunteering-us/what-we-offer-you including below:
• We support flexible working for all roles, including part-time, compressed hours, hybrid working and job share. All vacancies are considered suitable for flexible working unless there is a business reason not to. We encourage applicants to discuss potential flexible working arrangements with us.
• A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% (7.35% employee contributions) https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/memberhub/joining-the-pension-scheme/
• 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 have attached these documents when submitting your application.

Before applying for this post;

• Internal applicants should read the Self Service Guide (eRDMS A3155575 https://naturescot.nexus.objective.co.uk/documents/A3155575/details)
• External applicants should read the Online Job Application Guide https://www.nature.scot/doc/online-job-application-guide-naturescot

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.

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 vacancy please contact

Tracey Begg (Tracey.Begg@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.