Operations Support

NatureScot; Stornoway; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension

Holiday leave 41.5 days

Flexible working

Volunteer leave

Job summary

NatureScot is seeking an Operations Support at 35 hours per week for the West team. The role is permanent with a salary of £30,076 and a base location in Stornoway or Uist, Scotland, with occasional travel to other Outer Hebrides offices.

Responsibilities include handling customer enquiries, preparing documentation, arranging meetings and hospitality, and maintaining day-to-day systems and equipment. Candidates should have basic English/Maths quals, and be eligible to live/work in the UK.

Qualifications

• Demonstrate accuracy with numeracy and literacy skills.
• Written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective planning, organising, and prioritising and familiarity with own priorities and those of colleagues.
• Demonstrate customer service/interpersonal/team working skills.

Responsibilities

• Receive and respond to enquiries from / to customers to provide a timely, courteous, and effective service to others.
• Prepare documentation/information following standard formal/templates or running and reading reports.
• Make routine arrangements and bookings, such as meetings and hospitality, in accordance with clear instructions, involving the preparation and organisation of straightforward information, along with note/action taking as required.
• Responsible for the day-to-day operation of systems and equipment necessary for the successful completion of all assigned tasks.
• Some planning and organisation of workload is required to ensure delegated tasks is maintained; timing and sequencing of tasks.
• Use discretion to identify and resolve issues, referring to the line manager for assistance, as necessary.
• Management of pool vehicles based locally, ensure monthly vehicle inspections and any repairs/servicing/MOT works.
• Communication using mobile phone and SPOT transmitters.
• Any other reasonable task assigned.

Skills

Numeracy

Literacy

Written communication

Verbal communication

Planning

Organisational skills

Teamwork

Education

Standard grades in English and Mathematics

Tools

MS365

Excel

MS Teams

Job description

Job Title: 1001-363 Operations Support - West | Grade: B | Vacancy Type: Permanent | Hours: 35 | Salary: £30,076 | Location: Stornoway, Uist | Closing Date: Midnight 15 November 2026 | Interview Date: week commencing 30 November 2026

Job Purpose Summary

Roles at this grade will typically work as part of a team to provide administrative or procedural support through working on a broad range of routine activities within well established procedures and under regular supervision or clear guidance. The range of tasks can be varied and will therefore require some understanding of office routines. As a consequence, some planning and organising of own workload is required to ensure that workflow is maintained. The nature of planning and organising in roles at this grade is essentially around timing and sequencing of assigned tasks, i.e. working out the most effective way in which to carry out particular tasks or make sure the deadline is met. Primary office location either Uist or Stornoway with occasional travel to work from other Outer Hebrides offices.

Areas of Responsibilities

• Receive and respond to enquiries from / to customers to provide a timely, courteous, and effective service to others.
• Prepare documentation / information following standard formal / templates or running and reading reports.
• Make routine arrangements and bookings, such as meetings and hospitality, in accordance with clear instructions, involving the preparation and organisation of straightforward information, along with note / action taking as and when required.
• Responsible for the day-to-day operation of systems and equipment necessary for the successful completion of all assigned tasks.
• Some planning and organisation of workload is required to ensure delegated tasks is maintained; however, the nature of planning is essentially about timing and sequencing of the assigned tasks, along with flexibility.
• Use discretion to identify and resolve issues, referring to the line manager for assistance, as necessary.
• Management of the pool vehicles based locally, ensure monthly vehicles inspections and any repairs, servicing/MOT works to be carried out.
• Communication using mobile phone and SPOT transmitters.
• Any other reasonable task assigned.

Specific Role Requirements

1. Demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the main areas of responsibilities associated with this role gained through working in a similar role OR a qualification equivalent to standard grades in English and Mathematics and some experience of working in a similar role.
2. Demonstrate accuracy with both numeracy and literacy skills.
3. Written and verbal communication skills.
4. Working knowledge of relevant systems, equipment, processes, and procedures including standard software packages, with limited use of non-standard software. Competent with the use of MS365, particularly Excel and MS Teams
5. Effective planning, organising, and prioritising and familiarity with own priorities and those of colleagues.
6. Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage busy workload
7. Understanding of policies and procedures relevant to this role.
8. Understanding of health and safety policies and procedures relevant to this role, and the quality outputs and standards required.
9. Demonstrate customer service / interpersonal / team working skills. A proven ability to work well in a small team
10. Confirmation of Diving License

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:

Anna Headrige, Team Administrator - 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.