Orkney Nature Operations & Biosecurity Coordinator

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

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension

Flexi time & hybrid working

40+ days holiday incl. public holidays

Job summary

NatureScot in Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, is seeking an Operations Officer to support biosecurity planning, wildlife and land management, and collaboration with local communities. The role develops strategies for protecting nature across the Orkney Islands and wider North of Scotland.

You will work in a flexible, multidisciplinary team, with stakeholder engagement, site visits, and some travel. There is a focus on delivering conservation outcomes and supporting NatureScot’s policies.

Qualifications

• Interest in nature and conservation.
• Ability to plan, prioritise workloads, and work with others.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including IT.
• Good interpersonal skills for partnerships.
• Awareness of Scotland’s protected areas system.
• Knowledge of Orkney environmental issues.
• Understanding of land management.
• Support for NatureScot’s planning consultations.
• Willingness for fieldwork and remote site visits.

Responsibilities

• Develop Biosecurity Plan and delivery model for Orkney.
• Coordinate incursion responses on high risk Islands.
• Advise authorities on protected areas implications.
• Advise on land, marine and wildlife management.
• Monitor protected areas (SSSIs and European sites).
• Advise on land, marine and freshwater management.
• Represent NatureScot with local partners and stakeholders.
• Advise on Agri-environment, Peatland Action and Nature Restoration schemes.
• Respond to information requests from the public.

Skills

Plan workloads

Team working

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Protected areas knowledge

Land management understanding

Development consultations

Fieldwork readiness

Gaelic language (desirable)

Discipline awareness

Biosecurity planning

Climate and environment awareness

Education

Environmental degree or equivalent

Job description

NatureScot in Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, is seeking an Operations Officer to support biosecurity planning, wildlife and land management, and collaboration with local communities. The role develops strategies for protecting nature across the Orkney Islands and wider North of Scotland.

You will work in a flexible, multidisciplinary team, with stakeholder engagement, site visits, and some travel. There is a focus on delivering conservation outcomes and supporting NatureScot’s policies.