Specialist Advisor – Energy

Specialist Advisor – Energy

We are recruiting for a full‑time Specialist Advisor in Energy on a permanent basis. Your passion has never had a greater purpose. On successful appointment, the contracted job title will be Senior Policy Officer.

• Provide specialist energy advice to regulatory and planning teams to ensure current and future energy developments minimise impacts on communities and the environment, and support wider work across the Industry, Air and Decarbonisation team.
• Act as lead advisor on statutory planning requirements for energy system developments across generation, distribution and use, including strategic, local and environmental assessments.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with key external stakeholders, including planning authorities, Scottish enterprise agencies, Ofgem, Zero Waste Scotland and the energy networks and sector.
• Coordinate and provide expert advice to SEPA teams and priority projects as they relate to the energy sector, including the Grangemouth Regulatory Hub, place‑based initiatives, Energy Saving Opportunities Scheme and Industrial Regulation.
• Make a critical contribution to delivering Scottish Government ambitions and shaping SEPA’s future role in regulating Scotland’s rapidly evolving energy sector, industrial decarbonisation and greenhouse gas emissions.

• Relevant experience or qualification equivalent to SCQF Level 8–10 (Degree level).
• Comprehensive technical knowledge in energy and/or industrial sector.
• Ability to analyse and interpret legislation, data or stakeholder requirements and translate business requirements to inform policy, strategy or approach.
• Demonstrated sound understanding of energy legislation and emerging policies across heat, electricity, fuels, storage and energy efficiency, alongside the environmental impacts of energy production, transmission, use and storage.
• Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners to deliver key projects, communicate SEPA’s Energy Framework, coordinate priority actions and support delivery of the Scottish Government’s Energy Strategy.
• Proven ability to work independently, triage work and prioritise.
• Proven ability to synthesize large documents and issues into concise briefs for communicating issues, solutions and risks.
• Excellent people and communication skills, with a proven ability to translate complex concepts into clear, accessible messages for non‑technical stakeholders and the public.
• Demonstrable ability to effectively deliver projects, including proactive thinking, a solution‑focused mentality, strong collaborative skills, ability to influence and resolve conflict, and effective project management and organisational capability.

• Hybrid and Flexible working opportunities.
• Up to 35 days annual leave and 7 additional public holidays each year (pro‑rata).
• Paid time off to support wellbeing and volunteering in your community.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Progressive family‑friendly policies.
• Training and development to improve skills, competencies and knowledge.
• Additional lifestyle benefits such as 24/7 access to an online employee discount platform, credit union facilities and a Cycle‑to‑Work scheme.

We support flexible working arrangements to help maintain a healthy balance between career and home life, including part‑time, reduced hours, job sharing and remote work. SEPA is proud to be a 'Disability Confident' employer and will provide reasonable adjustments. Applicants with a visual impairment can request job descriptions and application forms in Braille, large print or on tape. Successful candidates will undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks including a Level 1 Disclosure Scotland check.