Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is a Scottish Government agency that manages Scotland's national forests and land (SNF&L). While a large proportion of our work involves timber production, we reinvest income into management of the SNF&L for the benefit of Scotland's economy, environment and society.
FLS' North region covers a large proportion of the country, from the edge of Cairngorms National Park in the east, over to the isle of Skye in the west and North to the UNESCO world heritage site of the flow country. In recent years, we have faced challenges around tree health and invasive non-native species, the control of which is part of our work. This is mixed with opportunities to create new woodland habitats, identify areas for rainforest restoration and contribute to the largest programme of peatland restoration on the National Forests and Land. The Region looks after Scheduled Ancient Monuments and battlegrounds, has extensive areas of open hill ground, and manages a number of European Designated sites. Other significant activities include restoration of Plantation on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) and management for key species including red squirrel, wildcats, capercaillie, pine marten, black grouse and a range of raptor species.
We live and work in iconic - or sometimes spectacular but lesser known - landscapes, often with great access to outdoor activities, but never that far from major towns, either.
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Job description
The Regional Environment Advisor (REA) is a leadership role integral to the regional planning and environment team. The role is responsible for providing environmental expertise and advice to the regional team, to inform land management planning, ensuring environmental standards are upheld in all operations through the environment team, and manage the future environmental programme on the Scotland's National Forests and Land (SNF&L). It is interesting and challenging work which balances facilitation of the regional core work programmes while seeking opportunities to address climate and biodiversity challenges and manage the estate for optimal environmental benefit. The role also includes working with others to identify external funding and partnership working opportunities to develop a portfolio of 'ready-to-implement' environment projects.
The REA leads the region's environment team and ensures it integrates effectively with other teams, enabling key work programmes to be achieved and to remain compliant under environmental law and guidance. The REA is also responsible for developing strategic environmental directions, such as habitat creation for key species working both inside and outside the National Forests and Land boundaries. This will require building partnership working with external stakeholders and communities. You will engage with the planning and environment teams to enhance the environmental benefits of land management plans.
This role is focused on supporting the region to achieve its core programmes: timber harvesting, restocking, civil engineering, and deer control. You will also lead the strategic approach to environmental conservation and management, and ensure consistency, continuity, and compliance. The REA will act as a link between National Environment Advisors and the Regional Planning Teams to help to prioritise and deliver national policies and objectives in a regionally relevant and pragmatic way. The REA will also represent FLS in liaison with national, regional, and local stakeholders. You will be expected to build strong relationships with environmental NGOs, National parks, and regulatory bodies.
You'll lead improvements in environmental programming. Much of this work forms part of substantial projects supporting Scottish Government key objectives on climate change, such as peatland restoration, expanding native woodland and improving the biodiversity value of a wide range of woodland and open habitats - you'll take the lead on managing and supporting these projects, working with the national team to draw up plans to ensure benefits are delivered and recorded and helping to manage the peatland project pipeline.
You will be provided with training opportunities and mentoring and will be working alongside experienced senior team members to help you settle into the role.
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Person specification
Experience
Essential:
Demonstrable experience of team leadership
Strong understanding of priority and protected habitats and species in the UK context, as well as mechanisms for protection and good practice
Experience of advising on and managing issues relating to European and UK protected and priority species and habitats
Experience of providing successful mitigation advice
Demonstrable experience of engaging with, and developing strong working relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
Desirable:
Experience of coordinating protected species surveys or undertaking monitoring of those species and associated habitats
Experience of working (facilitation, involvement, and coordination) with external stakeholders to deliver partnership projects
Demonstrable understanding of priority and protected habitats and species, and their legislation, policy and protection mechanisms, in the Scottish context
Demonstrable experience of managing either large-scale budgets or multiple project budgeting
Preparation of environmental or land management plans
Technical
Essential:
Qualification to degree or equivalent in a relevant environmental or land management based subject
Experience in land management and conservation and providing appropriate advice
Demonstrable experience of communicating effectively both in writing and verbally
Proficient in basic Microsoft Office applications
Competent user of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Desirable:
Knowledge of native woodland management and conservation, or of open habitat management and conservation (e.g. peatland);
Experience in undertaking some specific species or habitat surveys (for example Phase 1 Habitat survey, red squirrel, badger, great crested newt, bats, and/or bird monitoring);
Knowledge of the scope of current Forestry and Land Scotland guidance for protection of species, habitats and heritage in forests;
Experience of contributing to Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMP) or undertaking an ECoW monitoring regime with clear outcomes;
Membership (Associate or Full) of CIEEM, ICF or other relevant professional body, or a commitment to achieve full membership within two years of commencement of the role.
Things you need to know
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Selection process details
Please see our recruitment portal for further details.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.###
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.###
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
UK nationals
nationals of the Republic of Ireland
nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements
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Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.###
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
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Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.###
Contact point for applicants
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Job contact :
Name : Euan Wiseman
Email : euan.wiseman@forestryandland.gov.scot
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Recruitment team
* Email : resourcing@forestryandland.gov.scot
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