Monitoring success

• Work with the Peatland ACTION Funding Team to monitor project delivery, set milestones and produce regular project progress reports.
• Create and analyse spatial data used to underpin restoration evidence, reporting and effectiveness monitoring, with support from the Peatland ACTION Data & Evidence Team.
• Collaborate with the Peatland ACTION Data & Evidence Team to develop protocols and tools that assist with restoration planning and monitoring and streamline data management.

Communication

• Provide expert advice on peatland management to the land management and conservation community.
• Work with the Peatland ACTION Communications Team to promote Peatland ACTION to stakeholders, through the production of promotional/educational materials and attendance at events.
• Assist in running demonstration and training events, open days to raise awareness of the value of our peatland resource as part of the broader climate change agenda.
• Attend Peatland ACTION Team meetings and other peatland events.

Provision of planning advice

• Knowledge of NPF4, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the ability to provide clear and targeted verbal and written advice to a range of staff and stakeholders.
• Provide advice on development proposals, assess the quality of the peatland, advise whether impacts are of National interest.
• Advise on the scale of habitat management plans regarding the offsetting of habitat impacts and whether the proposed measures are likely to result in the successful peatland restoration.

Skills Required

(Please refer to these in your Supporting Statement)

• Degree, or equivalent in a land management/ agriculture/ forestry/ nature conservation discipline.
• Understanding of peatland ecology, wetland hydrology and upland management, including knowledge and experience of peatland restoration techniques.
• Experience of managing projects and contracts – ideally related to conservation land management.
• Understanding of Scottish land management and tenure systems, including crofting; and experience of working with land managers and their representatives.
• Ability to resolve problems, including the use of novel and innovative techniques where appropriate.
• Experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders including agencies/government bodies, NGOs, contractors, suppliers and the general public, to promote and enhance the natural heritage.
• Experience of responding to planning proposals and an understanding of Scottish Planning legislation and processes.
• An ability to communicate technical advice effectively to relevant stakeholders – including experience of public speaking, and partnership working.
• Experience of using GIS software (desktop, preferably QGIS, and mobile) for the creation and basic management and analysis of spatial datasets.
• Full UK Driving license or other means of transport.
• Comfort with operating in a dynamic work environment, with an ability to learn and adapt to new circumstances, and work collaboratively.

Prerequisites Required

• Candidates 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 for further details including below:

• A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% (7.35% employee contributions) Civil Service Pension
• 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).
• 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.

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

• Deborah Land, Peatland ACTION Delivery Project Manager
  Email: deborah.land@nature.scot

• Barry Dunne, Head of Peatland Operations
  Email: Barry.Dunne@nature.scot

For information regarding the recruitment process please contact: recruitment@nature.scot

Nature is vital to us all, so it's important that NatureScot represents the people of Scotland. The more diverse our workforce is, the more effectively we can connect everyone with nature. We encourage applications from candidates of all ages and genders, people from ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community.