Overview

Job title: 1012-364 Peatland Action Project Officer | Grade: D | Vacancy type: Permanent | Hours: 35 hours | Salary: £38,616 (pay award pending effective 01 April 2025) | Location: Glasgow/Edinburgh (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 lead the implementation and development of peatland restoration projects in partnership with land managers.

The post holder will work with colleagues, partners, contractors and land managers to identify projects which improve the peatland resource, lock up carbon and improve associated habitats (raised bog and blanket bog). They will engage with landowners and land managers to seek their involvement in the programme and will ensure that practical solutions are costed and specified on a site-by-site basis, using specialist contractors where required.

The post will be responsible for preparing and coordinating enquiries and applications for funding for practical to NatureScot (Peatland ACTION) and awarding contracts for the implementation and project management of capital works. In addition, the post will provide advice and guidance for the organisation on complex peatland casework. This will support Operational Teams through the provision of advice on development proposals that have the potential to impact peatlands and their associated habitats and supported fauna.

The post holder will be required to be based in mainland Scotland in the vicinity of Glasgow or Edinburgh (Central Belt) to carry out the essential operational duties i.e. regular site visits.

Context

NatureScot’s Peatland programme delivers actions to care for Scotland’s peatlands. It is integral to the government’s 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.

The NatureScot role

• 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 government’s 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 ACTION’s Delivery Team made up of 20 Peatland ACTION Officers based all over Scotland.

The main duties and responsibilities are:

Project Delivery

• Develop the necessary partnerships and engagement with landowners and land managers, to raise awareness of the project, arrange access for peatland surveys and agree the scope of potential capital works and long-term management to improve the quality and extent of the peat resource and its associated habitats.
• Develop peatland project plans with costed work programmes.
• Work with colleagues to develop funding bids to NatureScot’s Peatland ACTION Programme or other funding sources, for short term capital and longer-term peatland management.
• Develop, manage and deliver implementation contracts for peatland restoration works including the procurement and supervision of specialist contractors.
• Support Area Teams through the provision of advice on developments proposals on peatlands

Monitoring success

• Work with the Peatland ACTION Funding Team to monitor project delivery, set milestones and produce regular reports to NatureScot.
• 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 management 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

• Knowledge of NPF4, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the ability to provide clear and targeted advice to a range of staff and stakeholders.
• 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.

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 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 the civil service pension scheme, a generous holiday leave allowance plus flexi time, and employee discount scheme.
• An environment with flexible working options
• A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% (7.35% employee contributions)
• 41.5 days of annual leave, including 5 fixed public holidays on St Andrews Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s 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.

Interviews

External candidates will be invited to interview if we are unable to recruit internally.

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.

For information regarding the vacancy please contact

Deborah Land, Peatland ACTION Delivery Project Manager

Email: deborah.land@nature.scot

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.