1002-321 Freshwater Adviser - D Grade - April 2026

We are looking for a freshwater ecologist, specialising in standing waters, to help deliver our strategic objectives in response to the climate and biodiversity emergencies. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrable understanding of freshwater botany, chemistry of water including the dynamics of the water sediment interface linked to impacts of land management, climate change and temperature impacts, renewable energy developments.

The primary focus of this role is to provide advice on standing waters as part of the freshwater group. The postholder will lead on advice on freshwater lochs, ponds, canals and their management to NatureScot staff and external partners. The post holder will also function as the strategic lead on standing waters and key aquatic plant species, particularly Slender Naiad and aquatic invasive non-native macrophytes. They will liaise with partner organisations on key conservation initiatives – including inter-agency initiatives with UK conservation bodies and provide specialist input to the river basin management planning (RBMP) process and WFD sub-groups. Lead on delivery of Bern Convention and Habitats Regulation reporting for freshwater standing water habitats.

Generic Role Description

Roles at this grade will typically work autonomously or as part of a team to provide specialist advice and technical expertise with some autonomous decision making. The range of tasks can be varied and will therefore require a well‑developed understanding of a complex body of knowledge in their chosen field or specialist area. Consequently, planning and organising of own workload is required to deliver the corporate priorities. The role is required to evaluate different approaches, problem solve and provide a range of solutions.

Generic Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Establish relationships with a wide range of stakeholders to support the delivery of the corporate priorities to advise, influence in their subject matter expertise.
• Communicate, using appropriate styles, methods, and timing, including digital channels, to maximise understanding and impact.
• Subject specific expertise on policy/strategy development, be alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact, or benefit own and teams’ work.
• Find ways to improve systems and structures to deliver more streamlined resources.
• Recognise patterns and trends in a wide range of evidence/data and draw key conclusions, costs, benefits, risks, and potential responses.

Generic Role Requirements

• Demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the main areas of responsibilities associated with this role gained through working in a similar role OR a Degree or equivalent professional qualification, SVQ level 5 and 6.
• Applies Knowledge to achieve set objectives with limited guidance.
• Written and verbal communication skills with the ability to advise and influence.
• Demonstrate accuracy with both numeracy and literacy skills.
• Working knowledge of relevant systems, equipment, processes, and procedures including standard software packages, with limited use of non‑standard software.
• Effective planning, organising, and prioritising and familiarity with own priorities and those of colleagues.
• Understanding of policies and legislation and procedures relevant to this role and remains aware of technical, policy and procedural developments.
• Use precedent for guidance and understands requirements of the role and current policies.
• Understanding of health and safety policies and procedures relevant to this role, and the quality outputs and standards required.
• Demonstrate customer service / interpersonal / team working skills.

Specific Role Requirements

The primary function of this role is to provide advice to support better regulation and promote sustainable economic growth. This varied portfolio covers a wide range of topics in the context of standing waters.

• To improve the condition of standing water SSSIs and SACs, including damage assessment to protected sites and species.
• Prevention of anthropogenic eutrophication from diffuse and point source nutrient sources (e.g. agricultural run‑off, sewage outlets, poultry units).
• Prevention and eradication of invasive non‑native aquatic plant species such as Crassula, Elodea spp and Azolla.
• Renewable energy applications, including the impact of fluctuating water levels and disruption to thermal stratification.
• Aspects of climate change impacts (e.g. drought, temperature) and as mitigation (e.g. utility in natural flood management).
• Optimisation of biodiversity benefits from blue‑green infrastructure developments particularly in relation to Sustainable Urban Drainage schemes.
• Provision of advice regarding design and suitability of standing water creation for biodiversity in the context of grant funding, such as NRF, and biodiversity enhancement in relation to planning and development to support implementation of the recently published Environmental Authorisation (Scotland) Regulation in the context of protected sites.
• Habitat Risk Assessment at both a national strategic level and for plans or projects that may impact protected standing water.
• Provide relevant specialist advice to underpin development of the biodiversity metric to support sustainable development.
• Quality assurance and training for site condition monitoring of standing waters.

Advice relating to freshwater fish is covered by a separate post.

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

• Competencies in freshwater ecology, specialising in standing waters, gained through working in a similar role OR a Degree or equivalent professional qualification, SVQ level 5 and 6.
• Demonstrable experience in freshwaters, with a sound understanding of standing waters, their botany and monitoring.
• To include an understanding of the impact of renewable energy installations on freshwaters.
• Project and contract management.
• Effective planning, organising and prioritising and familiarity with own priorities and those of colleagues.
• Written and verbal communication skills with the ability to advise and influence.
• To include experience in critical appraisal of technical reports and papers.
• Experience of developing and maintaining positive working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders such as land managers, agencies, organisations, contractors or suppliers to deliver partnership initiatives.
• Understanding of policies, legislation and procedures relevant to this role and an awareness of technical, policy and procedural developments.

Candidates selected for interview will be asked to complete a short task ahead of interview.

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:

• 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.

We particularly encourage applications from people from Minority Ethnic (ME) backgrounds and people with a disability.