Freshwater Adviser

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Purpose Summary

The successful candidate for this role will join the Freshwater and Wetlands Group (FWWG) as the river habitat lead. The group has national responsibility for advice, reporting and policy development in freshwaters. This is a re-advertisement externally, having not a secured a suitable internal candidate.

This opportunity comes live in an exciting period for our team and the postholder will take a lead in river habitat monitoring and reporting including: coordinating our input to the reform of Site Condition Monitoring Delivery Healthy Ecosystems; Delivery of the 30 by 30 and Nature Networks projects; Habitats Regulation Reporting; and contract management for Site Condition Monitoring. Other duties would include, but not be restricted to, providing advice in relation to freshwater habitat casework and delivery of funding streams such as the Nature Restoration Fund.

The postholder will also act as the NatureScot contact on the Interagency chemicals group approved by Chief Scientists Group in 2023. This will not require specific chemistry expertise as the role of the post holder will be to liaise and signpost action to the relevant NatureScot habitat or species specialist.

In common with other D-grade roles the successful candidate will be able to work both autonomously and as part of a team to provide specialist advice and technical expertise. The range of tasks can be varied and the role therefore requires a well-developed understanding and knowledge of freshwaters. Consequently, planning and organising of own workload is required to deliver the corporate priorities. The role will require the individual to evaluate different approaches, problem solve and provide a range of solutions in collaboration with other FWWG members.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

As the river habitat lead, the postholder will play a critical role in delivery of the 30 by 30 and nature network projects.
Reform of Site Condition Monitoring Delivering Healthy Ecosystems – part of the protected area reform for freshwater and wetlands. The postholder is the FWWG primary contact and habitat lead for this project, with which engagement has been paused. The task includes coordinating FWWG delivery, and engagement with the CivTech challenge to develop InformedINSIGHT and representing NatureScot on the steering group of a live CREW project on the same topic (https://www.crew.ac.uk/project/review-monitoring-approaches-deliver-healthy-ecosystems-scotland%E2%80%99s-protected-fresh-waters )
Habitat Regulation Reporting – reporting on Conservation Status for river habitat and coordinating the group activity to ensure compliance with this international reporting obligation.
Contribute to assessment and ongoing technical support of Nature Restoration Fund projects and Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland, one of the main deliverables of the ‘restore’ part of our corporate plan.
Undertake project management of site condition monitoring of the Tweed where there has been considerable river restoration, some specifically in relation to improving processes for natural flood management.
Represent NatureScot on the JNCC-led interagency chemicals group. Support will be provided.
Contribute as appropriate to the delivery of NatureScot strategic objectives in relation to freshwater habitats.

Skills (please refer to these in your supporting statement)

Competencies required to undertake the main responsibilities associated with this role gained through working in a similar role OR a Degree or equivalent professional qualification, SVQ level 5 and 6.
Demonstrable experience in freshwaters, especially rivers habitats and including monitoring.
Project and contract management
Effective planning, organising and prioritising and familiarity with own priorities and those of colleagues.
Written and verbal communication skills with the ability to advice and influence. To include experience in critical appraisal of technical reports and papers.
Experience of developing and maintaining positive working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders such as land managers, agencies, organisations, contractors or suppliers to deliver partnership initiatives.
Understanding of policies and legislation and procedures relevant to this role and aware of technical, policy and procedural developments.
An understanding, or a willingness to learn, about the impacts of pollution on the wider environment.

Prerequisites Required

Proof of right to work in UK.
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

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.

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. You will aim to minimise travel in accordance with NatureScot’s low carbon operating procedures. However, you will, in some circumstances, be expected to work with colleagues and stakeholders from across Scotland, which will involve some travel and may involve overnight stays.

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

For information regarding the vacancy please contact:

Sue Marrs, Vacancy Manager (Policy & Advice Manager – Freshwater and Air Pollution)

email: sue.marrs@nature.scot, Tel: 01463 725286

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

Application Process:

Before applying for this post, internal applicants should read the Self Service Guide (eRDMS A3155575)

If you have previously applied for a Fusion vacancy you must remove the supporting statement from your profile, before uploading a new version.

POSITION TYPE

Full-Time

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

Not Specified

DEGREE REQUIRED

Bachelor's (Or Equivalent)

Back to all water jobs

Local recruitment: Freshwater Adviser

JOB DESCRIPTION