1013-320 Operations Officer - North - C Grade - June 2026

NatureScot is Scotland’s Nature Agency, protecting and restoring nature, and inspiring everyone to value our natural world.  In this role 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 local Operational team. Based in Orkney, this is an exciting opportunity to help protect and restore nature across the Orkney Islands and the wider North of Scotland.  

• →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.

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

• 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.
• Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK and resident in Scotland for the duration of the job contract.
• Driving license or other means of transport.

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.

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. 

recruitment@nature.scot

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.