Job Description

Job title: 1012-312 Uplands and Peatlands Officer | Grade: D | Vacancy type: 3 year Fixed Term Appointment | Hours: 35 hours | Salary: 38,616 (pay award pending effective 01 April 2025) | Location: Mainland Scotland (Home and hybrid working will be considered) | Closing date: Midday 15th September 2025 | Interviews Date: 30th September 2025

Job Purpose Summary:

This is a new role which will help to increase our ecological knowledge and understanding of peatlands to further their protection, restoration and value to society.


The role will predominantly provide advice on land use change impacts on peatlands as well as best practice habitat management measures. This will include advising internal staff on renewable energy developments on peatland which meet our statutory requirements under National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4).


The role will be a source of advice and guidance for the organisation on complex peatland casework. This will include work on policy and guidance on habitat mosaics, fire resilient landscapes, and changes in land use.


The post holder would ideally be an appropriately qualified ecologist, with peatland knowledge and experience. They will work closely with other specialists and advisers within the Habitats Team within the Natural Resource Management activity unit in NatureScot.


The post holder will be required to be based in mainland Scotland in order to carry out the essential operational duties i.e. regular site visits.

Areas of responsibility:

Scottish Government's National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) allows for development on peatlands only if they meet certain criteria. This post holder will consider whether development proposals fit with NPF4 requirements, assess the quality of the peatland, advise whether impacts are of national importance and if the development raises issues of national interest. In addition to this, the role will advise on habitat management plans as to whether they are sufficient to offset impacts, at an appropriate scale, and contain measures which are likely to result in the restoration of peatlands.


The role will also feed into the new Scottish Biodiversity Metric work to ensure that impacts to peatland habitats are appropriately offset and enhanced.


The post holder will provide peatland, and some upland habitats, advice on Protected Areas casework as well as contributing to NatureScot policy on development on peatlands. The post holder will act as a witness on peatland advice for NatureScot at Public Inquiry when required.


The post holder will contribute to the work of the Habitats Team and will be involved in wider NatureScot work to ensure policy, guidance and advice is proportionate, consistent, and evidence based.

Role requirements (please refer to these in your supporting statement):

Good knowledge of peatland ecology, management and monitoring. Knowledge and an understanding of National Vegetation Classification survey reports and a willingness to familiarise themselves with EUNIS habitat classification and UKHab. A good understanding of factors influencing peatland condition. Knowledge of NPF4, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the ability to provide clear and targeted advice to a range of staff and stakeholders. Knowledge of other upland habitats often found in association with peatland habitats. Good communication skills, both written and verbal, including the use of relevant IT software. The ability to work collaboratively as part of a dispersed team. Ability to plan and manage workloads, and work to deadlines. Comfortable navigating in upland and peatland areas often with requirements for being able to access sites on foot.

Prerequisites Required:

Driving license or other means of transport. 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.

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 the civil service pension scheme, a generous holiday leave allowance plus flexi time, and employee discount scheme. Visit the NatureScot website for further details including below: An environment with flexible working options A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% (7.35% employee contributions) https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/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 .

Application Process

Application is by CV and Supporting Statement. Please ensure you have attached these documents when submitting your application.

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.

Interviews

External candidates will be invited to interview if we are unable to recruit internally.

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.

Contact details for further information on this vacancy:

Karen Rentoul, Policy and Advice Manager - Uplands and Peatlands:


karen.rentoul@nature.scot 07717543074

For information regarding the recruitment process please contact:

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.