Job Description

Job title: 1022-462/463/464 Deer Counter - April 2026 x 3 | Grade: D | Vacancy type: Permanent, rolling seasonal | Hours: Fee paid | Hourly rate: £22.84 | Location: Highland Region, Inverness Operating base | Closing date: Midnight, 22 April 2026 | Internal Interview Date: 29 April 2026 | External Interview Date: 6 May 2026

Job Purpose Summary

To assist, or carry out on behalf of, Wildlife Management Team (WMT) field based operational work in relation to deer & other wildlife census work and wildlife management operational work.

Individuals will be required to work closely or independently, with the WMT field team staff to deliver helicopter and ground counts to monitor deer populations across Scotland. They will also be required to assist WMT operational staff in the event they need to discharge their statutory functions under the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 (as amended), or for the control of Invasive Non-Native Species, or in the event of a disease outbreak. WMT also require assistance to discharge its authorisation functions through the Deer (Scotland) Act and wider wildlife licensing functions through carrying out site visit inspections.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. To assist WMT staff with the annual deer counting programme across Scotland to agreed NatureScot methodology. This may involve working in count teams independent of supervision of full time NatureScot staff. Navigating a helicopter using GPS tablets, operating a camera, recording data and data analysis will all form part of this role.
2. To carry out other forms of monitoring / census work in relation to wildlife management as directed by WMT staff.
3. Provision of high quality data to support deer management planning.
4. Have the capability to assist with any culling of deer or other species as part of regulatory action in line with the Deer (Scotland) Act taken by NatureScot WMT staff or NNR management.
5. To comply with NatureScot Health & Safety requirements, training requirements and policies.

Essential Role Requirements

1. An extensive understanding of all aspects of practical wildlife management
2. Specific knowledge on all aspects of deer management in a Scottish context including legalities contained within Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 as amended, technical & practical expertise and team working.
3. Ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders including estate owners, farmers, managers, stalkers and game keepers along with other agency staff.
4. Valid Firearm Certificate with red deer legal calibre(s)
5. Deer Stalking Certificates - Levels 1 & 2 or equivalent
6. Registered on the NatureScot’s Fit and Competent Register
7. ATV training certificates, Quad and Argo
8. Manual handling training qualifications and First Aid at work qualification
9. An annual shooting test must be undertaken in line with NatureScot firearms guidance
10. Full UK drivers license including category BE

Specific Role Requirements

Essential Skills and Experience: (Please refer to these in your Supporting Statement)

1. Full competency in identifying deer species, including precise age and sex classification.
2. Extensive experience with Scottish upland estates and a deep understanding of deer behaviour within these specific landscapes.
3. Physically fit with excellent distance vision; must be comfortable flying (no motion sickness or fear of heights) to facilitate aerial surveys.
4. Proven ability to work independently and lead field teams in collecting high-stakes data for deer management decision-making.
5. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups, from estate owners and ground staff to NGO representatives.
6. Ability to follow strict protocols and maintain high levels of accuracy while working under pressure in time-sensitive environments.
7. Highly skilled in data processing and analysis, including the professional use of Microsoft Excel and photo-editing software.
8. Proficient in the operation of digital SLR cameras and the use of GPS/tablet technology for precise field data recording.
9. Expert understanding of operational safety and survival in remote, mountainous environments and adverse weather conditions.
10. Willingness and ability to travel extensively, including frequent overnight stays away from home.

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:
• An environment with flexible working options 
• A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% (7.35% employee contributions) https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/joining-the-pension-scheme/benefits-of-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 vacancy please contact:

Jamie Hammond, Regional Deer Operational Delivery Manager, james.hammond@nature.scot 07795127706 or

Jimmy Irvine, Wildlife Management Officer, james.irvine@nature.scot 07990 561960

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.