Peatland Action - Technical Coordinator - D Grade - September 2025

Job title:Peatland Action - Technical Coordinator Grade: D Vacancy type: Permanent Hours: 35 hours Salary: 38616 (pay award pending effective 01 April 2025) Location: Scotland (Home and hybrid working will be considered) Closing date: Midday 15th September 2025 Interviews Date: week commencing 6th October

Job Purpose Summary

The purpose of this post is to work as part of the Peatland ACTION Team in NatureScot to provide technical advice guidance and support to colleagues in Peatland ACTION wider NatureScot Scottish Government and external organisations. We are looking for someone who is open to challenges adaptable enjoys supportive and collaborative working and able to work independently.

The post holder will be part of the technical team completing the tasks and workstreams that are assigned in the Peatland ACTION Programme Plan. This includes facilitating the delivery programme through the provision of contracts to provide species surveys and the development of the Scottish Peatland Standard decision trees and annual review of the Technical Compendium.

In addition the technical team provides advice and support to colleagues on a wide range of technical topics including Peat Slide Risk Assessments Health and Safety management training andadvice to area operational colleagues on development proposals that have the potential to impact on peatland habitats.

The post covers the whole of Scotland and includes some fieldwork often in remote locations requiring the ability to travel independentlyas public transport is not always availablewith occasional overnight stays.

Context

NatureScots Peatland programme delivers actions to care for Scotlands peatlands. It is integral to the governments determination for peatland protection restoration and management to reduce carbon emissions and contribute wider benefits for biodiversity water management and green growth. The Peatland Programme covers the requirements under the Scottish Government ring-fenced Peatland ACTION support for restoration and the wider NatureScot work on valuing protecting and managing peatlands.

NatureScot has dual role on Peatland ACTION:

• providing leadership on shared services/business solutions across all five Peatland ACTION delivery partners (NatureScot the two National Park Authorities Forestry & Land Scotland and Scottish Water); and
• increasing the pace/scale of peatland restoration projects on the ground.

The NatureScot Peatland ACTION role is expanding in support of the governments 10 year 250m commitment for restoration. It has an annual budget of 20m and comprises over 60 posts employed/supported by NatureScot.

The post holder will be part of Peatland ACTIONs Technical Advice team which consists of four people currently.

The main duties and responsibilities are:

Project Delivery

• Manage co-ordinate and monitor contracted consultants to provide casework advice and for the purpose of updating associated guidance for carrying out Peatland Slide Risk Assessments during the design process and the management of Health and Safety referring to the Construction Design and Management regulations (CDM)
• Manage and monitor contracts to providepeat depth and protected species surveys to support the planning and implementation of restoration projects led by Peatland ACTION Officers
• Support Area teams through the provision of advice on developments proposals on peatlands
• Contribute to the development of technical guidance including the preparation of Scotlands Peatland Standard decision trees and the annual update of the Technical Compendium
• Assist in the production of training materials and the delivery of training days with respect to technical topic areas.

Monitoring success

• Review technical guidance and procedures to ensure they are fit for purpose proportionate and provide value for money
• Create and critique spatial data used to underpin restoration evidence reporting and effectiveness monitoring with support from the Peatland ACTION Data Team.
• Collaborate with the Peatland ACTION Data Team to develop protocols and tools that assist with restoration planning and monitoring and streamline data management.

Communication

• Provide expert advice on peatland protection management and restoration to the land management and conservation community.
• Work with the Peatland ACTION Communications team to promote Peatland ACTION to stakeholders through the production of promotional and educational materials.
• Assist in running demonstration and training events open days and awareness raising activities to raise awareness of the value of our peatland resource as part of the broader climate change agenda.
• Attend Peatland ACTION Team meetings and other peatland events.

Provision of planning advice

• Provide advice on development proposals assess the quality of the peatland advise whether impacts are of national importance and if the development raises issues of national interest
• Advise on habitat management plans regarding offset impacts and determine if measures are likely to result in the restoration of peatlands.

Skills Required (Please refer to these in your Supporting Statement)

• Degree or equivalent in an environmental land management/ ecology/ agriculture/ forestry/ nature conservation discipline.
• Understanding of peatland ecology wetland hydrology and upland management including knowledge and experience of peatland restoration techniques.
• Experience of using field-based and desktop GIS tools to support mapping field survey data collection and analysis of spatial datasets preferably QGIS.
• Experience of managing projects and contracts ideally related to conservation land management.
• Experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders including agencies/government bodies NGOs contractors suppliers and the general public to promote and enhance the natural heritage.
• Knowledge of NPF4 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the ability to provide clear and targeted advice to a range of staff and stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including experience of public speaking with ability to explain scientific and technical concepts effectively to a non-technical audience.
• Good analytical and critical thinking skills with experience in making evidence-based decisions.
• Good interpersonal skills to support collaborative working with remotely based colleagues and various external stakeholders.
• 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 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 thecivil service pension scheme a generous holiday leave allowance plus flexi time and employee discount scheme. Visit the NatureScotwebsite for further detailsincluding below:
• An environment with flexible working options
• A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% (7.35% employee contributions) days of annual leave including 5 fixed public holidays on St Andrews Day Christmas Day Boxing Day New Years 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.

NatureScots 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.

For information regarding the vacancy please contact

Ian McKee Peatland Action Project Manager - Technical Advice

Email:

For information regarding the recruitment process please contact:

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.