1001-418 Operations Officer - West - C Grade - November 2026

NatureScot; Stilligarry; Hybrid; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension

Flexible working

41.5 days annual leave

Volunteer leave (2 days)

Wellbeing program

Cycle to work

Job summary

NatureScot is Scotland’s Nature Agency, protecting and restoring nature, and inspiring action to value our natural world. You will contribute to NatureScot’s vision by supporting casework, AECS applications, and protected areas management in the West Team.

Training and mentoring will be provided; flexible working is supported, and there is a Civil Service pension and generous annual leave.

This role requires knowledge of the Outer Hebrides context and strong stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• HND/Degree or equivalent qualification in an environmental discipline or practical experience.
• Interest in, and a passion for nature.
• Understanding of land management in the Outer Hebrides.
• Knowledge of biodiversity and climate change issues in the Outer Hebrides.
• Awareness of NatureScot’s role in supporting good development.
• Awareness of Scotland’s system of protected areas, including European sites and NatureScot’s role in their protection and management.
• Good interpersonal skills with an ability to work with a range of stakeholders.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Driving licence or other means of transport.

Responsibilities

• Responding to casework consultations, including planning applications and licences.
• Assessing AECS applications for protected areas management.
• Providing advice on protected areas management and wildlife.
• Monitoring protected areas including Site Condition Monitoring and Site Checks.
• Providing advice on land, marine and freshwater management including invasive species.
• Representing NatureScot in local partnerships and with stakeholders on biodiversity/climate projects.
• Responding to information requests for natural heritage information.

Skills

Nature passion

Land management

Outer Hebrides knowledge

Biodiversity knowledge

Climate change knowledge

NatureScot role awareness

Protected areas knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Driving licence

Education

HND/Degree or equivalent qualification or practical experience in an environmental discipline

Job description

Job Title: 1001-418 Operations Officer - West | Grade: C | Vacancy Type: Permanent | Hours: 35 | Salary: £34,478 | Location: Uist, Stornoway, Outer Hebrides | Closing Date: Midnight 22 November 2026 | Interview Date: 16 December 2026

Job Purpose Summary

NatureScot is Scotland’s Nature Agency, protecting and restoring nature, and inspiring everyone to value our natural world. You will contribute to NatureScot’s vision for a nature-rich future for Scotland by encouraging action to protect, restore and value nature in the National Operations West Team.

Training and mentoring will be provided on the technical aspects of the post and there will be flexibility across the balance of work depending on the skills and experience of the individual and other team members.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Responding to casework consultations, which may include planning applications, renewable energy proposals, marine licences, aquaculture proposals, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) consents, Environmental Authorisations (EASR) and requests for advice both internally and externally.
• Assessing and processing Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) applications to secure favourable management of protected areas.
• Providing advice to stakeholders and land managers on protected areas management (including European sites and SSSIs) and wildlife management. including protected species casework.
• Contributing effectively to the monitoring of protected areas; i.e. SSSIs and European sites, including Site Condition Monitoring and Site Checks.
• Providing advice on land, marine and freshwater management including Invasive Non-Native Species and biodiversity.
• Representing NatureScot in local partnerships and working with key stakeholders, local communities and agencies on biodiversity or climate change projects.
• Responding to information requests for natural heritage information from the general public.

Skills (Please refer to these in your supporting Statement)

• HND/Degree or equivalent qualification or practical experience in an environmental discipline or countryside management.
• An interest in, and a passion for nature
• An understanding of land management in the Outer Hebrides.
• Knowledge of biodiversity and climate change issues in the Outer Hebrides
• AwarenessofNatureScot’s role in supporting good development.
• Awarenessof Scotland’s system of protected areas, including European sites and NatureScot’s role in their protection and management.
• Good interpersonal skills with an ability to work with a range of stakeholders
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Driving licence or other means of transport.

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 thecivil service pension scheme, a generous holiday leave allowance plus flexi time, and employee discount scheme. Visit the NatureScotwebsite for further detailsincluding below:
• 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)https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/memberhub/joining-the-pension-scheme/benefits-of-the-pension-scheme/
• 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

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

Johanne Ferguson, Operations Manager - West:[e-mail]

For information regarding the recruitment process please contact:

[e-mail]

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.