1012-377 Peatland Action Project Officer - North Eastern Scotland - D Grade - August 2026 in Aberdeen

The purpose of this post is to work as part of NatureScot’s Peatland ACTION Team to lead on the development and implementation of peatland restoration projects in partnership with land managers. The post holder will work with colleagues, partners, contractors, agents and land managers to identify peatland restoration projects which deliver a range of benefits for people and nature e.g. carbon emission savings, improved water quality, and increased biodiversity. They will engage with agents and land managers to identify opportunities for new projects and encourage them to submit these sites for development. The post will be responsible for leading on the designing their own projects, for developing fully costed applications for funding to NatureScot (Peatland ACTION), and for overseeing their delivery on the ground. They will also act as a point of contact and support for ‘Agent-led’ projects being developed. In addition, the post will provide advice and guidance for the organisation on complex peatland planning casework. This will support Operational Teams through the provision of advice on development proposals that have the potential to impact peatlands and their associated habitats and supported fauna.

The post holder will be required to be based in mainland Scotland in the vicinity Aberdeenshire to carry out the essential operational duties i.e. regular site visits.

NatureScot’s Peatland programme delivers actions to protect, manage, and restore Scotland’s peatlands. It supports the Scottish Government’s Climate Change Plan which, in part, aims to restore 400,000ha of degraded peatland by 2040. The programme is integral to the government’s determination for peatlands to provide a range of benefits for people, nature, and climate e.g. better water quality and flow regulation, increased levels biodiversity, reduced carbon emissions, and the further development of the green economy. As part of the Peatland ACTION partnership, NatureScot has a dual role in providing leadership on shared services/business solutions across all delivery partners and expanding delivery of peatland restoration on the ground. The post holder will be part of Peatland ACTION’s Delivery Team made up of 20 Peatland ACTION Officers based all over Scotland.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Project Delivery: Develop the necessary partnerships and engagement with landowners and land managers, to raise awareness of the project, arrange access for peatland surveys and agree the scope of potential capital works and long-term management to improve the quality and extent of the peat resource and its associated habitats. Develop peatland project plans with costed work programmes. Work with colleagues to develop funding applications to NatureScot’s Peatland ACTION Programme or other funding sources, for short term capital and longer-term peatland management. Develop and manage contracts for peatland restoration works including the procurement and supervision of specialist contractors. Support NatureScot Area Teams through the provision of advice on developments proposals on peatlands.
• Monitoring success: Work with the Peatland ACTION Funding Team to monitor project delivery, set milestones and produce regular project progress reports. Create and analyse spatial data used to underpin restoration evidence, reporting and effectiveness monitoring, with support from the Peatland ACTION Data & Evidence Team. Collaborate with the Peatland ACTION Data & Evidence Team to develop protocols and tools that assist with restoration planning and monitoring and streamline data management.
• Communication: Provide expert advice on peatland management to the land management and conservation community. Work with the Peatland ACTION Communications Team to promote Peatland ACTION to stakeholders, through the production of promotional/educational materials and attendance at events. Assist in running demonstration and training events, open days to raise awareness of the value of our peatland resource as part of the broader climate change agenda. Attend Peatland ACTION Team meetings and other peatland events.
• Provision of planning advice: Knowledge of NPF4, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the ability to provide clear and targeted verbal and written advice to a range of staff and stakeholders. Provide advice on development proposals, assess the quality of the peatland, advise whether impacts are of national interest. Advise on the scale of habitat management plans regarding the offsetting of habitat impacts and whether the proposed measures are likely to result in the successful peatland restoration.

Skills Required

• Degree, or equivalent in a land management/agriculture/forestry/nature conservation discipline.
• Understanding of peatland ecology, wetland hydrology and upland management, including knowledge and experience of peatland restoration techniques.
• Experience of managing projects and contracts – ideally related to conservation land management.
• Understanding of Scottish land management and tenure systems, including crofting; and experience of working with land managers and their representatives.
• Ability to resolve problems, including the use of novel and innovative techniques where appropriate.
• Experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders including agencies/government bodies, NGOs, contractors, suppliers and the general public, to promote and enhance the natural heritage.
• Experience of responding to planning proposals and an understanding of Scottish Planning legislation and processes.
• An ability to communicate technical advice effectively to relevant stakeholders – including experience of public speaking, and partnership working.
• Experience of using GIS software (desktop, preferably QGIS, and mobile) for the creation and basic management and analysis of spatial datasets.
• Full UK Driving license or other means of transport.
• Comfort with operating in a dynamic work environment, with an ability to learn and adapt to new circumstances, and work collaboratively.

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.

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.

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 Deborah Land, Peatland ACTION Delivery Project Manager Email: deborah.land@nature.scot Barry Dunne, Head of Peatland Operations Email: Barry.Dunne@nature.scot For information regarding the recruitment process please contact: recruitment@nature.scot Nature is vital to us all, so it's important that NatureScot represents the people of Scotland. The more diverse our workforce is, the more effectively we can connect everyone with nature. We encourage applications from candidates of all ages and genders, people from ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community.