Operations Officer South D Grade November 2025

NatureScot; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A Scottish Environmental Agency is seeking an Operations Officer to contribute to nature conservation and climate change initiatives. This permanent full-time role involves advising on planning, renewable energy, and developing sustainable practices across Scotland. Candidates should have a relevant degree and understanding of local ecology. The position offers home and hybrid work options and includes a competitive salary and benefits package.

Benefits

Civil Service Pension scheme

Generous holiday leave allowance

Flexible working options

Employee assistance programme

Cycle to work schemes

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Candidates must have an understanding of terrestrial and marine habitat species.
• Required to communicate effectively with various stakeholders.
• Experience in planning casework and ecological management is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice on Town and Country planning and renewable energy proposals.
• Engage with stakeholders on nature conservation.
• Develop nature networks and contribute to climate change initiatives.

Skills

Knowledge of ecology and habitats in lowland Scotland

Understanding of Planning System and NatureScot's role

Understanding of nature-based solutions

Ability to interpret complex information

Knowledge of NatureScot's stakeholders

Creativity and versatility

Good verbal communication skills

Clear written communication skills

Team player with empathy

Education

Higher education degree or equivalent qualification

Job description

Job title: 1006-312/1006-381 Operations Officer Grade: D Vacancy type: Permanent Hours: 35 hours Salary 38616 (Pay award pending effect from 01 April 2025) Location: Edinburgh Cupar Dumfries Galashiels Stirling (home and hybrid working possible) Closing date: Midnight 3 December 2025 Internal Interview date: 17/18 December 2025 External Interview date: 14/15 January 2025

Job Purpose: Summary

NatureScot is Scotland’s Nature Agency. We work with partners from across Scotland’s public, private and environmental 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 South team. The post holder will help deliver NatureScot’s priorities relating to nature restoration, climate change and the creation of nature‑rich places. Helping to deliver NatureScot’s Corporate Plan objectives of protecting, restoring and valuing nature 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 South Operations Area the post will operate across Fife, the Upper Forth, Lothian Borders and Dumfries & Galloway. 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 the South Operations area including priority work to develop nature networks, deliver 30x30, 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 lowland 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 (please refer to these in your supporting statement)

• Knowledge of ecology and an understanding of different types of habitats and species across lowland 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.

Required Experience: Unclear Seniority

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. Visit the NatureScot website for further details including below:
• An environment with flexible working options;
• A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% (7.35% employee contributions) days of annual leave including 5 fixed public holidays on St Andrew’s Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years 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 twin nature and climate crisis;
• Cycle to work and electric vehicle salary sacrifice schemes;
• Access to an employee discount 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.

Interviews

Face to face interviews are planned for internal candidates in our Edinburgh office. External candidates will be invited to interview if we are unable to recruit internally.

NatureScots 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

Fiona OMahony Operations Manager - South

Email: Fiona.

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.