Job Description

Job Title: 1012-396 Peatland Action Project Officer| Grade: D | Salary: £41,567 | Location: Mainland Scotland | Vacancy Type: Permanent | Hours: 35 | Closing Date: Midnight 13 September 2026 | Interview Date: 6 October 2026

Job Purpose Summary

The purpose of this post is to work as part of NatureScot’s Peatland ACTION Delivery Team developing and managing , policy, guidance, and processes to support the successful delivery of restoration projects.

The post will also provide specialist advice and technical expertise on peatland issues. The range of tasks is varied and will therefore require a well-developed understanding of peatland ecology and restoration. The ability to plan and organise their own workload is required to deliver the corporate priorities, evaluate different approaches, problem solve and provide a range of solutions.

The post covers the whole of Scotland and will require the ability to travel independently, as public transport is not always available and site are remote. On occasions, this will require travel that necessitates nights away from home.

The post holder will be required to be based in mainland Scotland to carry out the essential operational duties.

Context

NatureScot’s Peatland programme delivers actions to protect, manage, and restore Scotland’s peatlands. It supports the Scottish Government’s Climate Change Plan which, in part, aims to restore 400,000ha of degraded peatland by 2040. The programme is integral to the government’s determination for peatlands to provide a range of benefits for people, nature, and climate e.g. better water quality and flow regulation, increased levels biodiversity, reduced carbon emissions, and the further development of the green economy.

As part of the Peatland ACTION partnership, NatureScot has a dual role in providing leadership on shared services/business solutions across all delivery partners and expanding delivery of peatland restoration on the ground.

The post holder will be part of Peatland ACTION’s Delivery Team made up of 20 Peatland ACTION Officers based all over Scotland.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities Policy development and Project Delivery

• Develop and manage a new Restoration Aftercare Programme. This will be important to understand the efficacy of restoration and enable follow-up works to be targeted.
• Work with the Central Funding Team to co-ordinate the Delivery Team input to our compliance monitoring programme and design and implement a process for follow-up action.
• Lead on the further development of Peatland ACTION’s policy on Herbivore Impacts and input into the new Herbivore Impact Assessment methodology.
• Lead on the ongoing policy and guidance development for Prior Notification.
• Work with the Peatland ACTION Technical Team to develop guidance on the implementation of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) in and co-ordinating Delivery Team input into Peatland ACTION document reviews, such as Scotland’s Peatland Standard.
• Work with the wider Delivery Team to design and implement process improvements such as site inspection reporting, and a triage protocol for site visits and clear delivery process guidance.

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.

Skills Required (Please refer to these in your Supporting Statement)

• Degree, or equivalent relevant experience in a land management/ agriculture/ forestry/ nature conservation discipline.
• Experience of developing and drafting policy, guidance and process development documentation.
• 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.
• Experience of working with land managers and their representatives.
• 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.
• 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.
• An ability to communicate technical advice effectively to relevant stakeholders – including experience of public speaking, and partnership working.
• Ability to resolve problems, including the use of novel and innovative techniques where appropriate.
• 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:
• 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.

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.