JOB SUMMARY

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is a Scottish Government agency that manages Scotland’s national forests and land (SNF&L). While a large proportion of our work involves timber production, we reinvest income into management of the SNF&L for the benefit of Scotland’s economy, environment and society.
FLS’ North region covers a large proportion of the country, from the edge of Cairngorms National Park in the east, over to the isle of Skye in the west and North to the UNESCO world heritage site of the flow country. In recent years, we have faced challenges around tree health and invasive non-native species, the control of which is part of our work. This is mixed with opportunities to create new woodland habitats, identify areas for rainforest restoration and contribute to the largest programme of peatland restoration on the National Forests and Land. The Region looks after Scheduled Ancient Monuments and battlegrounds, has extensive areas of open hill ground, and manages a number of European Designated sites. Other significant activities include restoration of Plantation on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) and management for key species including red squirrel, wildcats, capercaillie, pine marten, black grouse and a range of raptor species.
We live and work in iconic – or sometimes spectacular but lesser known – landscapes, often with great access to outdoor activities, but never that far from major towns, either.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Regional Environment Advisor (REA) is a leadership role integral to the regional planning and environment team. The role is responsible for providing environmental expertise and advice to the regional team, to inform land management planning, ensuring environmental standards are upheld in all operations through the environment team, and manage the future environmental programme on the Scotland’s National Forests and Land (SNF&L). It is interesting and challenging work which balances facilitation of the regional core work programmes while seeking opportunities to address climate and biodiversity challenges and manage the estate for optimal environmental benefit. The role also includes working with others to identify external funding and partnership working opportunities to develop a portfolio of ‘ready-to-implement’ environment projects.
The REA leads the region’s environment team and ensures it integrates effectively with other teams, enabling key work programmes to be achieved and to remain compliant under environmental law and guidance. The REA is also responsible for developing strategic environmental directions, such as habitat creation for key species working both inside and outside the National Forests and Land boundaries. This will require building partnership working with external stakeholders and communities. You will engage with the planning and environment teams to enhance the environmental benefits of land management plans.
This role is focused on supporting the region to achieve its core programmes: timber harvesting, restocking, civil engineering, and deer control. You will also lead the strategic approach to environmental conservation and management, and ensure consistency, continuity, and compliance. The REA will act as a link between National Environment Advisors and the Regional Planning Teams to help to prioritise and deliver national policies and objectives in a regionally relevant and pragmatic way. The REA will also represent FLS in liaison with national, regional, and local stakeholders. You will be expected to build strong relationships with environmental NGOs, National parks, and regulatory bodies.
You’ll lead improvements in environmental programming. Much of this work forms part of substantial projects supporting Scottish Government key objectives on climate change, such as peatland restoration, expanding native woodland and improving the biodiversity value of a wide range of woodland and open habitats – you’ll take the lead on managing and supporting these projects, working with the national team to draw up plans to ensure benefits are delivered and recorded and helping to manage the peatland project pipeline.
You will be provided with training opportunities and mentoring and will be working alongside experienced senior team members to help you settle into the role.

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

Other