1013-320 Operations Officer – North – C Grade – June 2026 in Kirkwall

Your role will focus on working with others to develop an effective biosecurity plan and delivery model as part of the legacy for the current stoat eradication underway across the Islands. You will work in a team to deliver NatureScot’s Development Advice Service, advising consulting authorities on the implications of proposals for Scotland’s nature, providing advice on schemes covering agri-environment and climate, Peatland Action and Nature Restoration, and advising land managers on the impacts of their management proposals on protected areas and wildlife management.

Other areas of work will include monitoring of protected areas and proactive work to address climate change.

Areas of responsibility:

• Developing a Biosecurity Plan and delivery model for Orkney as part of our legacy commitment to the current stoat eradication (Orkney Native Wildlife Project) taking place across the Isles.
• Assisting in the co-ordination of incursion responses on high risk Islands.
• Advising consenting authorities on the implications of proposals for protected areas.
• Providing advice on protected areas management and wildlife management.
• Monitoring protected areas; i.e. SSSIs and European sites.
• Providing advice on land, marine and freshwater management.
• Representing NatureScot in local partnerships and with local stakeholders.
• Advising on applications to various schemes: Agri-environment and Climate, Peatland Action and Nature Restoration Fund.
• Responding to information requests from the general public.
• Undertaking appropriate training and development.

Skills:

• An interest in, and a passion for nature.
• Ability to plan, be flexible, prioritise workloads, and work with others, independently and in a dispersed team.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal, including IT.
• Good interpersonal skills with an ability to work in partnership, foster good relations, and encourage actions by others.
• Awareness of Scotland’s system of protected areas, including European sites.
• Knowledge and understanding of the key environmental issues relating to the Orkney Islands.
• Understanding of land management, and some experience of working with land managers.
• Awareness of NatureScot’s role in supporting good development (i.e. planning development consultations).
• Physically able to undertake fieldwork and remote site visits as and when required.
• Some travel and overnight stays on Islands may be required.
• Relevant degree or equivalent qualification or practical experience in an environmental discipline or countryside management.

Prerequisites Required:

• 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.
• Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK and resident in Scotland for the duration of the job contract.
• Driving licence or other means of transport.

Working for NatureScot – what we offer you:

• Benefits package includes the civil service pension scheme, a generous holiday leave allowance plus flexi time, and employee discount scheme.
• Flexible working for all roles, including part-time, compressed hours, hybrid working and job share.
• A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% (7.35% employee contributions).
• 41.5 days of annual leave, including 5 fixed public holidays.
• Equivalent of 2 days paid volunteering leave.
• Access to an employee assistance programme.
• Job satisfaction from contributing proactively to the twin nature and climate crisis.
• Death in service benefits.
• Cycle to work and electric vehicle salary sacrifice schemes.
• Access to an employee discount scheme.
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.

Equal opportunity statement: 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 backgrounds and people with a disability.