1011-350 Marine Ornithology Adviser - D Grade - October 2025

NatureScot.com

Office

Scotland, United Kingdom

Full Time

Job Purpose Summary:

NatureScot is looking for an experienced ornithologist to help deliver and influence positive seabird conservation measures across Scotland. This role will concentrate primarily in supporting consultation work on management measures for fishing activity relating to Special Protection Areas (SPAs), as well as producing standing advice and guidance to support our marine ornithology work.

NatureScot’s marine ornithology team lead on work to identify and prioritise specific site-based and wider seas conservation measures (including Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)) focusing on those that provide the greatest benefits to marine birds in terms of biodiversity gain, enhancing climate change resilience /adaptation and responding to impacts. This is of particular importance given the publication of the Scottish Seabird Conservation Action Plan. The team is responsible for coordinating MPA marine bird monitoring, specialist advice on development and licensing casework, leading on Scotland’s HPAI seabird response and commissioning research to provide evidence to inform policy changes.

The post holder is expected to be a highly motivated and knowledgeable ornithologist with a good understanding of Scotland’s marine environment, policy and legislation relating to its sustainable use and management. The post holder should have experience of working with wide range of stakeholders and be able to demonstrate strong project management and team working skills. The post holder will work closely with NatureScot marine and terrestrial ornithologists, other specialists and external organisations to deliver our marine bird work. The post-holder will also be expected to contribute to the wider work of the Activity, inputting to media, awareness raising and training initiatives as relevant.

This role offers an opportunity to gain a wide variety of experience in marine ornithology advisory work. A detailed job plan will be developed once the candidate is appointed but is likely to include the following work areas:

Key Responsibilities And Accountabilities:

Contribute to the delivery of NatureScot’s work on Marine Protected Areas, with a particular focus on supporting public consultation on management measures for fishing activity relating to Special Protection Areas.
Prepare internal and external guidance, including standing advice, to facilitate consistency and efficient delivery of marine ornithology advice.
Provide constructive, solution-focused ornithology advice to support NatureScot’s statutory consultation responses to marine development proposals. Proposals will require detailed assessment of impact pathways and population impacts to inform the Habitats Regulations Appraisal process, and other related assessments.
Represent NatureScot on external working groups relating to marine birds, undertaking fieldwork where necessary.
Contribute to the general work of the two marine and coastal Activity Teams, through attendance at Activity meetings, participation in Activity training events and input into the preparation, monitoring and delivery of business plan targets.

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

A degree or equivalent in a relevant natural science such as zoology, biology, ecology or environmental science plus relevant post-graduate experience.
Clear understanding of conservation and planning legislation relevant to birds and Scotland’s seas including the Habitats Regulations and the Marine (Scotland) Act.
Good knowledge and understanding of the ecology of Scottish marine birds including current pressures, sensitivities, and impact pathways.
Working knowledge of marine bird monitoring techniques including land and boat-based survey, vantage-point survey, digital aerial survey and remote technology.
Experience of preparing or responding to Environmental Impact Assessments.
Effective written and verbal communications, especially the ability to convey complex information clearly and confidently.
Sound project management skills, including the ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines.
Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to work as part of a team and in partnership, to foster good relations and to encourage action by others. Previous experience of working on consultations and/or with fishing and coastal communities would be desirable.

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 the civil service pension scheme, a generous holiday leave allowance plus flexi time, and employee discount scheme.  Visit the NatureScot website for further details including below:
An environment with flexible working options 
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% (7.35% employee contributions) https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/joining-the-pension-scheme/benefits-of-the-pension-scheme/
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.

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.

If there are no internal candidates we may interview external candidates on the internal interview date.

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

Lucy Quinn

Email: Lucy.Quinn@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.