Job Description

Job Title: 1001-424 Operations Officer – West | Grade: C | Hours: 35 | Vacancy Type: Permanent | Salary £34,478 | Location: Argyll and Outer Hebrides | Closing Date: Midnight 21 June 2026 | Internal Interview Date: 30 June 2026 | External Interview Date: 21 July 2026

Job Purpose Summary

NatureScot is Scotland’s Nature Agency, protecting and restoring nature, and inspiring everyone to value our natural world. You will contribute to NatureScot’s vision for a nature-rich future for Scotland by encouraging action to protect, restore and value nature in the local Operational team.

Y our 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) acting as a case officer for agri-environment and climate change schemes and (c) advising land managers on the impacts of their management proposals on protected areas. Other areas of work will include monitoring of protected sites, and proactive work to address climate change and biodiversity loss.

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

• Part of the operations team who provide advice to competent authorities on various statutory consultation, such as planning applications, renewables, marine licences or forestry proposals.
• Case officer for Agri-Environment Climate Scheme applications.
• Respond to designated site casework including SSSI consent requests, provision of management advice and assisting with regular habitat monitoring and reporting.
• Assist senior staff with wildlife management casework and site visits (e.g. sea eagle management scheme).
• Representing NatureScot in local partnerships and with local stakeholders
• Responding to information requests from the general public.
• Undertaking appropriate training and development.

Skills (Please refer to these in your supporting Statement)

1. HND/Degree or equivalent qualification or practical experience in an environmental discipline or countryside management
2. A general understanding of NatureScot and what we do.
3. Knowledge and/or experience of conservation, land management, species ecology, habitat types, land use and development pressures in Argyll and the Outer Hebrides.
4. Evidence of effectively managing customer and stakeholder relations through use of influencing, listening, and clear written and verbal presentation skills.
5. Able to work independently and within a dispersed team.
6. Ability to be flexible and adaptable in response to changing priorities and able to plan and prioritise workloads effectively, follow processes, and meet deadlines
7. Experience of using multiple databases, PC-based casework, monitoring and reporting systems and mapping software
8. Driving licence or other means of transport (due to the need to visit farms, crofts, estates) where public transport might not be available.
9. Good level of fitness and able to walk to and in remote upland locations.

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:
• 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)
• 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

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:

Colin MacFarlane, Operations Manager – West

Tel: 0131 316 2688 Email: Colin.MacFarlane@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.