Operations Officer

Job Title:  Operations Officer
- West | Grade: C | Vacancy Type:
Permanent |

Hours:

35 | Salary: £34,478 |

Location:

Uist, Stornoway, Outer Hebrides | Closing Date:
Midnight 22 November 2026 | Interview Date: 16 December 2026

Job Purpose Summary

Nature Scot is Scotland’s Nature Agency, protecting and restoring nature, and inspiring everyone to value our natural world. You will contribute to Nature Scot’s vision for a nature-rich future for Scotland by encouraging action to protect, restore and value nature in the National Operations West Team.

Training and mentoring will be provided on the technical aspects of the post and there will be flexibility across the balance of work depending on the skills and experience of the individual and other team members.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Responding to casework consultations, which may include planning applications, renewable energy proposals, marine licences, aquaculture proposals, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) consents, Environmental Authorisations (EASR) and requests for advice both internally and externally.
• Assessing and processing Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) applications to secure favourable management of protected areas.
• Providing advice to stakeholders and land managers on protected areas management (including European sites and SSSIs) and wildlife management. including protected species casework.
• Contributing effectively to the monitoring of protected areas; i.e. SSSIs and European sites, including Site Condition Monitoring and Site Checks.
• Providing advice on land, marine and freshwater management including Invasive Non-Native Species and biodiversity.
• Representing Nature Scot in local partnerships and working with key stakeholders, local communities and agencies on biodiversity or climate change projects.
• Responding to information requests for natural heritage information from the general public.

Skills (Please refer to these in your supporting Statement)

• HND/Degree or equivalent qualification or practical experience in an environmental discipline or countryside management.
• An interest in, and a passion for nature
• An understanding of land management in the Outer Hebrides.
• Knowledge of biodiversity and climate change issues in the Outer Hebrides
• Awareness of Nature Scot ’s role in supporting good development.
• Awareness of Scotland’s system of protected areas, including European sites and Nature Scot’s role in their protection and management.
• Good interpersonal skills with an ability to work with a range of stakeholders
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Driving licence or other means of transport.

Prerequisites Required

• 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 Plan

Working for Nature Scot – what we offer you

• Nature Scot offers some great benefits to reward and support you whilst you are working for us. Our benefits package includes thecivil service pension scheme, a generous holiday leave allowance plus flexi time, and employee discount scheme. Visit the Nature Scot website for further details including below:
• We support flexible working for all roles, including part-time, compressed hours, hybrid working and job share. All vacancies are considered suitable for flexible working unless there is a business reason not to. We encourage applicants to discuss potential flexible working arrangements with us
• A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% (7.35% employee contributions) (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..civi
• 41.5 days of annual leave, including 5 fixed public…