Nature Reserve Officer - South x 3

Job title: 1006-388/394/423 Nature Reserve Officer – South (3 positions) | Grade: B | Vacancy type: Seasonal 2 x Full time, temporary for 6 months 1 x parttime, temporary for 4 months | Hours: 35/21 hours | Salary £27,940|Location: Tentsmuir and Loch Leven NNR| Closing date: Midday, 6 March 2024 | Internal Interview date: 20 March 2024 | External interview date: 3 April 2024 (External interviews will be brought forward to 18 March 2024 if no internal applications are received)

1006-388 - Loch Leven - 35 hours – April to October

1006-394 – Tentsmuir – 35 Hours (5 days per week including weekends) – April to October

1006-423 – Loch Leven – 21 hours mid May to mid September

Job Purpose Summary:

The post holder will provide support to our National Nature Reserve teams to help deliver our objectives and manage our sites principally at week-ends when visitor pressure is particularly high.

Nature Scot’s National Nature Reserves showcase the best of Scottish Nature. They provide the opportunity for people to experience, enjoy and learn about nature. As we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions ease, our Reserves have become even more popular. 

We are looking for dynamic and engaging people to help our NNR teams ensure that these sites can be managed and protected. You will engage with visitors helping them make the most of their visit, answering queries and encouraging responsible behaviour.   

The post may occasionally involve travel to other NNRs in Nature Scot South Operations to fulfil similar duties in support of Reserve staff there.

 Areas of Responsibility: 

• Monitoring visitor use and maintaining a presence on sites.
• Engaging with visitors, providing information and guidance, and answering queries about the reserves and the local area. 
• Encouraging responsible enjoyment and use of our NNRs and the wider countryside and working with and supporting partners and communities to help achieve this.
• Helping reserve managers keep social media up to date with how busy sites are during peak visitor times. 
• Supporting in the day-to-day management, maintenance and monitoring work on reserves including breeding bird monitoring, litter-picking, invasive species control.

Role Specific Tasks: 

• Occasionally dealing with difficult and challenging situations
• Undertake measures necessary to ensure personal health and safety at work.
• Undertake necessary training.

Skills (Please refer to these in your Supporting Statement)

• A good understanding of the natural heritage of Scotland particularly coastal and fresh water habitats. 
• A good understanding of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC).
• Strong and confident interpersonal skills that contribute to collaborative/team working and customer orientated service provision
• Experience of working with the public
• Experience of planning and leading outdoor activities and events
• A good knowledge of the local area including tourism facilities. 
• Good written communication skills including an ability to write clearly and concisely for social media platforms.
• Driving licence or other means of transport

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 with NatureScot – What we offer you

Please visit https://www.nature.scot/about-naturescot/working-and-volunteering-us/what-we-offer-you for information regarding some great benefits to reward and support you whilst you are working for us.

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 post please contact: 

Please contact Caroline Gallacher 

Email:  Caroline,gallacher@nature.scot  Tel: 07774926040

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.