1006-435/436/437 Operations Officer - South - D Grade - April 2026

NatureScot is Scotland’s Nature Agency. We work with partners from across Scotland’s public, private and environment sectors to address the climate and nature emergencies, by protecting and restoring nature and inspiring others to value our natural world.

This is a permanent full-time role working as part of the National Operations team in either our South or West Central teams, depending on preferred location and business need. The post holder will help deliver NatureScot’s priorities relating to nature restoration, climate change and the creation of nature rich places.

The post will be involved with a diverse range of tasks including the provision of our advice to Local Authorities, developers, land managers, partners and others. The post holder will be expected to be able to think strategically and creatively, demonstrating an ability to develop positive relationships and work in partnership with others. Being able to communicate and progress the practical steps that are needed to protect, restore and value nature will also be an important aspect of the role.

Working flexibly within the National Operations team, the South based post will operate across Fife, upper Forth, Lothian, Borders and Dumfries & Galloway. The West Central post would operate across Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and Dunbartonshire. Working outside of these locations may be required in some circumstances.

The role will focus on providing advice in relation to Town and Country planning, renewable energy proposals, marine licences and other regulatory casework, alongside related plans, strategies and action plans relating to biodiversity, climate change and nature recovery. The post holder will have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects and major initiatives within these Operational areas, including priority work to develop nature networks, deliver 30 x 30, enhance our protected areas and advise in marine and coastal areas.

The post holder should be able to show a good understanding of the main terrestrial and marine habitats, species and landscapes in central and southern Scotland and be able to communicate how they can be affected by climate change, development and land management activities. The post holder should also be able to demonstrate good communication skills and an ability to work as part of a team engaging with different stakeholders on valuing and enjoying nature.

The post holder should have a relevant higher education degree or equivalent qualification with transferable skills. Alternatively, you should be able to demonstrate suitability for the post through relevant practical experience.

Skills required:

• Knowledge of ecology and an understanding of different types of habitats and species across central and southern Scotland including their protection, enhancement and management.
• An understanding of the Planning System and NatureScot’s statutory role in planning casework and other statutory regulatory regimes.
• An understanding of nature-based solutions and their benefits, with an ability to communicate how locally bespoke nature-based solutions could be identified, developed and delivered through strategy, partnership and place-based working.
• The ability to interpret complex or conflicting information and make decisions based on sound analysis and judgement.
• Knowledge of NatureScot’s stakeholders and an awareness of the political environment in which we operate.
• Creativity and versatility in approach, with a proven ability to embrace new ideas and progress independently with new areas of work.
• Good verbal communication, influencing and engagement skills, demonstrating an ability to take forward NatureScot’s aims and ambitions into external arenas.
• Clear written skills and a proven ability to coordinate contributions from a range of interests into coherent advice to customers.
• The ability to be an excellent team player that demonstrates empathy and understanding of the views and positions of others, while also showing commitment to overall team performance.

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.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• 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.

Application Process:

Application is by CV and Supporting Statement. Please ensure you have attached these documents when submitting your application.

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:

Internal interviews will be arranged as a Microsoft Teams call and are planned for 19th May. External interviews are in person at our Edinburgh office on 2nd & 3rd June.

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: Debbie Skinner (Energy Casework Manager) email: Debbie.Skinner@nature.scot

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.