Orkney Nature & Biosecurity Operations Lead

NatureScot; Kirkwall; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension

Annual leave 41.5 days

Volunteering leave

Wellbeing programme

Death in service benefits

Cycle to work

Employee discounts

Learning and development

Diversity & inclusion

Job summary

NatureScot is Scotland’s Nature Agency, protecting and restoring nature. Based in Orkney, this role focuses on developing a biosecurity plan, supporting the stoat eradication, and advising on environmental schemes while engaging with local communities and stakeholders across the North of Scotland.

The post offers flexible working options, a Civil Service pension, generous leave, and opportunities for professional development within a committed team dedicated to nature restoration and climate

Qualifications

• An interest in, and a passion for nature.
• Ability to plan, be flexible, prioritise workloads, to work with others, independently and in a dispersed team.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal, including IT.
• Good interpersonal skills with an ability to work in partnership, to foster good relations and to encourage actions by others.
• Awareness of Scotland’s system of protected areas, including European sites.
• Knowledge and understanding of the key environmental issues relating to the Orkney Islands.
• Understanding of land management, and some experience of working with land managers.
• AwarenessofNatureScot’s role in supporting good development (i.e. planning development consultations).
• Physically able to undertake fieldwork and remote site visits as and when required. Some travel and overnight stays on Islands may be required.
• Relevant degree or equivalent qualification or practical experience in an environmental discipline or countryside management.

Responsibilities

• Developing a Biosecurity Plan and delivery model for Orkney as part of our legacy commitment to the current stoat eradication (Orkney Native Wildlife Project) taking place across the Isles.
• Assisting in the co-ordination of incursion responses on high risk Islands.
• Advising consenting authorities on the implications of proposals for protected areas.
• Providing advice on protected areas management and wildlife management.
• Monitoring protected areas; i.e. SSSIs and European sites.
• Providing advice on land, marine and freshwater management.
• Representing NatureScot in local partnerships and with local stakeholders.
• Advising on applications to various schemes: Agri-environment and Climate, Peatland Action and Nature Restoration Fund.
• Responding to information requests from the general public.
• Undertaking appropriate training and development.

Skills

Nature interest

Planning & prioritising

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Protected areas knowledge

Orkney environmental knowledge

Land management understanding

Gaelic language desirable

Education

Environmental degree/qualification

Job description

NatureScot is Scotland’s Nature Agency, protecting and restoring nature. Based in Orkney, this role focuses on developing a biosecurity plan, supporting the stoat eradication, and advising on environmental schemes while engaging with local communities and stakeholders across the North of Scotland.

The post offers flexible working options, a Civil Service pension, generous leave, and opportunities for professional development within a committed team dedicated to nature restoration and climate