Pollution Adviser in Highland

This is a specialist advisor role in all aspects of pollution across air, land and water. As one of the six drivers of biodiversity loss identified by IPBES in 2019, pollution is a major concern for biodiversity and ecosystem function. We are seeking an advisor to lead on air pollution casework and also advise on other kinds of pollution cases that require our input to support lead agencies such as SEPA or JNCC. The successful postholder will also provide support for Scottish Government on the development of pollution policy impacting nature. They will assist colleagues on advising on developments that could impact on nature, represent Scottish perspectives at a UK level and ultimately influence targeted pollution policy. The postholder will enhance strategic collaboration, improve policy impact at a national level and will ensure Scotland’s voice and its nature is embedded in UK pollution efforts, Scottish planning and development casework.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Provide technical support on the impacts and amelioration of a wide range of anthropogenic pollution that can include:
• Air pollution - nitrogen based compounds, especially ammonia; ground level ozone (an emerging issue in Scotland due to climate change); and particulates as well as nitrogen deposition.
• Microplastics
• Pesticides and biocides in conservation (e.g. rodenticides, glyphosate)
• Forever chemicals, endocrine disrupters, and emerging contaminants as identified by recent CREW reviews.
• Provide technical advice and support and training for our National Operations teams in dealing with planning casework that gives rise to air pollution issues, including permitting consultations from SEPA.
• Build capacity within the organisation to deal with air pollution casework through mentoring, training and preparation/maintenance of guidance.
• Deliver NatureScot’s obligations on chemical regulation (particularly under Action 6.2 of the Scottish Biodiversity Delivery Plan 2024-2030 and likely significant effect).
• Represent nature conservation interests in the development and implementation of Scottish Government Policy on air pollution, including the Cleaner Air for Scotland Strategy and the Nitrogen Balance Sheet official statistic.
• Work with SEPA to implement air pollution casework integration of tools and evidence such as UK APAS (UK Air Pollution Assessment Service) and Decision Making Thresholds (JNCC report 696, 2021) and management of NatureScot’s contribution to the maintenance of APIS (Air Pollution Information System) and SCAIL (Simple Calculation of Atmospheric Impact Limits).
• Work jointly with JNCC and other country agencies to ensure UK wide research and development on pollution adequately reflect the Scottish situation, including representing NatureScot on Interagency Air Pollution and Chemical Pollution Groups.

Skills Required

• Candidates must have a degree in a relevant subject complemented by postgraduate research or professional experience or equivalent.
• Candidates must have a general pollution background or benefit from more specialist understanding of ecotoxicology or air pollution effects on habitats and wildlife.
• Good understanding of Scottish biodiversity and pollution impacts.
• Knowledge of Scottish and UK pollution legislation and policy.
• Good interpersonal skills with a proven ability to work constructively and supportively in a team environment.
• Self-motivated, with good communication skills - confident to present complex pieces of work and providing advice and training in an understandable way to a range of audiences (both oral and written).
• Experience of working on development of policy with partners and the development of guidance for colleagues.
• Experience of project management.
• Demonstrate good time management skills and the ability to juggle competing demands on tight and often competing timescales.
• Whilst this post is based in Scotland, the ability to travel throughout Scotland and the UK is essential.
• A UK driving licence, the willingness to secure one or demonstrable ability to travel to remote 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.
• 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).
• 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.

Closing date: Midnight 28 June 2026. Interview date: 7 or 8 July 2026.

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. 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.