Specialist Advisor – Energy in Holytown

We are recruiting for a full time Specialist Advisor in Energy on a permanent basis. Here at SEPA, we’re connected by a passion that drives us to be purposeful in every action we take – to protect our environment. Through our expertise, we lead projects that make a difference for Scotland, and our workplaces are grounded in respect for that expertise. That’s why, when you join us as Specialist Advisor – Energy, you’ll discover enriching benefits, meaningful support, and opportunities to learn every day. That’s what it means to be Passionately Purposeful – for our environment, and for your career. On successful appointment, the contracted job title will be Senior Policy Officer.

Work that goes beyond your desk:

• Provide specialist energy advice to regulatory and planning teams to ensure current and future energy developments minimise impacts on communities and the environment, and support wider work across the Industry, Air and Decarbonisation team.
• Act as lead advisor on statutory planning requirements for energy system developments across generation, distribution and use, including strategic, local and environmental assessments.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with key external stakeholders, including planning authorities, Scottish enterprise agencies, Ofgem, Zero Waste Scotland and the energy networks and sector.
• Co‑ordinate and provide expert advice to SEPA teams and priority projects as they relate to the energy sector, including the Grangemouth Regulatory Hub, place‑based initiatives, Energy Saving Opportunities Scheme and Industrial Regulation.
• Make a critical contribution to delivering Scottish Government ambitions and shaping SEPA’s future role in regulating Scotland’s rapidly evolving energy sector, industrial decarbonisation and greenhouse gas emissions.

Respect for your expertise:

This is a highly important role within our Regulation, Business & Environment portfolio, which means you’ll need:

• Relevant experience or qualification equivalent to SCQF Level 8-10 i.e. Degree level.
• Comprehensive technical knowledge in energy and/or industrial sector.
• Ability to analyse and interpret legislation, data or stakeholder requirements and translate business requirements to inform policy, strategy or approach.
• Demonstrate a sound understanding of energy legislation and emerging policies across heat, electricity, fuels, storage and energy efficiency, alongside the environmental impacts of energy production, transmission, use and storage.
• Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners to deliver key projects, communicate SEPA’s Energy Framework, co‑ordinate priority actions and support delivery of the Scottish Government’s Energy Strategy.
• Proven ability to work independently, triage work and prioritise.
• Proven ability to synthesise large documents and issues into short concise briefs for communicating issues, solutions and risks.
• Excellent people and communication skills, with a proven ability to translate complex concepts into clear, accessible messages for non‑technical stakeholders and the public.
• Demonstrable ability to effectively deliver projects, including proactive thinking, a solution‑focused mentality, strong collaborative skills, the ability to influence and resolve conflict, and effective project management and organisational capability.

Support that goes beyond the workplace:

• Hybrid and Flexible working opportunities.
• Up to 35 days annual leave and 7 additional public holidays each year (pro rata).
• Paid time off to support your well‑being and enable you to volunteer in your community.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Progressive Family‑Friendly policies.
• Training & development to enable colleagues to improve their skills, competencies and knowledge to perform at their best.
• 24/7 access to an online employee discount platform, credit union facilities and access to a Cycle to Work Scheme.

Equality, diversity and inclusion:

SEPA is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and good relations in everything it does – as a community leader, as a provider and commissioner of services, and as an employer. We are a Disability Confident employer and will work to identify and implement reasonable adjustments and equipment to support you in the role that you do. Applicants with a visual impairment can request job descriptions and application forms in Braille, large print or on tape. For the security and well‑being of our colleagues, successful candidates will undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre‑employment checks including a level one Disclosure Scotland check. If you have questions or need any assistance with the recruitment process please contact SEPA’s Recruitment Team at recruitment@sepa.org.uk.