Job Purpose Summary
The purpose of the post is to help deliver our programme of work on deer management. These posts will be responsible for the operational delivery of NatureScot deer functions across North Scotland and supporting the delivery of Scottish Biodiversity outcomes.
This post will act as part of a wider team of Wildlife Management Officers to deliver the deer work programme under the strategic direction of the regional deer operational delivery managers. It will provide advice direct to stakeholders, support delivery of project work to support NatureScot’s approach and will be required to work closely with other public agency and key stakeholder interests.
In addition, the role will include assessment of developments on designated sites, delivery of site condition monitoring and assessments of agri-environmental and Peatland Action schemes.
The post will require flexible working across the north region of Scotland predominately around Ross-shire and Northern Scotland and will require the ability to travel independently, as public transport is not always available and sites are remote. On occasions, this will require travel that necessitates nights away from home.
Context
NatureScot has a statutory responsibility to further the conservation, control and sustainable management of all wild deer species in Scotland.
The sustainable management of Scotland’s deer is vital to enhance biodiversity and achieve a net zero future. The twin climate and biodiversity will see a much greater urgency to our efforts to ensure we realise our ambitious targets on vital issues such as forest regeneration, woodland creation, peatland restoration and habitat improvement.
There will be an increased focus on managing deer impacts to support biodiversity outcomes and delivering the transformational land use reform needed to deliver on climate as well as addressing public safety issues and impacts to agriculture. Delivering the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy objectives of halting loss by 2030 and delivering nature restoration at scale across Scotland by 2045 will require significant reductions in deer impacts and populations. This will require working with a range of stakeholder interests to deliver transformational change, at pace.
Requirements
The post holder will play a key role in delivering a programme of work focusing on managing deer populations and impacts to deliver a range of public benefits particularly for biodiversity and net zero outcomes. This work will include working with a range of land owners and managers developing landscape scale approaches to management – e.g. to support Atlantic rainforest restoration, peatland restoration priorities and enhancing native woodland condition and in supporting the establishment of new woodland.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
1. Developing plans and monitoring actions to manage deer populations and impacts, developing collaborative approaches across public, private and third sector interests.
2. Oversight of deer management within a geographic area including collating and analysing data on deer populations and impacts.
3. Responding to land managers’ requests for SSSI consent and providing advice on protected areas management.
4. To work with land owners, managers and community interests to develop and support collaborative approaches to deer management – delivering landscape scale outcomes.
5. Supporting upland and lowland Deer Management Groups to effectively and sustainably manage deer populations.
6. The application of NatureScot regulatory functions including monitoring the delivery of agreed deer culls.
7. Supporting NatureScot’s operational delivery role across Scotland in monitoring impacts and helping deliver cull, habitat and population targets.
8. Contribute to other Farming with Nature projects and to the NatureScot Agriculture Team’s advice to Scottish Government on agriculture policy and agriculture reform.
Skills (Please refer to these in your Supporting Statement identifying which specific skills areas you are bringing to the role):
* A good understanding of deer and land management policy and practice, including the regulatory and incentive based mechanisms.
* Experience and knowledge of the main habitats, species and landscapes in the Highlands, especially upland habitats and species.
* Excellent communication skills, with the ability to confidently engage with stakeholders on issues where there may be differences in positions.
* To develop collaborative approaches engage and work effectively with a range of stakeholder interests including public agencies, NGOs, private interests, academia and representative bodies.
* To interpret and take decisions based on complex or conflicting information or make recommendations based on sound analysis and judgement.
* To work on own initiative as part of a dispersed team, and to support others through continuous learning and improvement.
* Ability to resolve problems, including the use of novel and innovative techniques.
* Good experience of practical deer management.
* Driving licence or other means of transport.
Prerequisites
* 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.
Working for NatureScot
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.
Watch our video below to see what it's like working for nature:
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.
Application Process
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
NatureScot is an inclusive workplace. We will share interview questions for this vacancy prior to interviews as a way of supporting neurodiversity at NatureScot.
External candidates will be invited to interview if we are unable to recruit internally.
Contact Details for Further Information on this Vacancy:
Graeme Taylor, Operations Manager, Central Highland
Email: graeme.taylor@nature.scot, Phone: 07768033243
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.
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