Job title: 1011-393/1011-394 Marine Habitat Ecologist and Surveyor | Grade: D | Vacancy type: Temporary 12 month FTA with possibility of extension | Hours: 35 hours | Salary £38,242|Location: Inverness, other locations will be considered (Home and hybrid working will be considered) |Closing date: Midday, 3 May 2024 | Internal Interview date: 21 May 2024 |External Interview date: 12 June 2024

Job Purpose Summary:

NatureScot is looking to appoint two qualified benthic ecologists to complement our existing marine monitoring team and support our delivery of the Scottish MPA Monitoring Strategy. The positions would suit marine ecologists with a good understanding of seabed habitats and species and experience in employing a range of survey and analysis techniques.

The two, 12-month fixed term posts are available within NatureScot’s Marine Ecosystems team. The successful applicants will work closely with colleagues across NatureScot and in a range of partner organisations. The post holders will play a key part in NatureScot’s ongoing work to chart the health of Scotland’s seas and progress towards the Scottish Governments vision of heathy, productive and biologically diverse marine and coastal environments.

A detailed programme of work will be agreed at the outset of the posts.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Contribute to the delivery of the Scottish MPA Monitoring Strategy working within a small team to develop, plan and fulfil NatureScot’s seabed habitat monitoring and surveillance programmes. A particular focus will be to design and commence the implementation of a statistically robust programme of work establishing a baseline monitoring plan for the proposed Priority Marine Feature Management Areas. 
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for monitoring priority benthic habitats (including indirect metrics).
• Populate our survey and monitoring databases and update NatureScot’s benthic content on UKDMOS.
• Design, commission, and manage research projects (including the QA of submitted products) primarily, but not exclusively, in relation to the survey and assessment of MPAs and Priority Marine Features (PMFs) in Scottish inshore waters.
• Participate in (and lead as required) marine biological surveys using a range of field and remote sampling techniques.
• Support benthic monitoring in Scotland undertaken by citizen scientists and industry through the provision of technical and specialist advice.
• Pilot a review of site condition monitoring in the marine environment that specifically seeks to prioritise our ability to deliver on ecosystem health targets.  
• Analyse and interpret marine biodiversity data, including through the use of GIS, to underpin the provision of ecological advice and assessments of protected area condition status or wider biodiversity reporting (e.g. OSPAR, Marine (Scotland) Act). Investigate options for further integrating and streamlining our approach to monitoring, reporting and assessment obligations.
• Represent NatureScot at meetings of inter-agency groups, research project steering groups and community engagement events relevant to remit. 
• Update and maintain the content of our marine survey and monitoring web pages and actively promote our work to a range of audiences across Scotland.
• Contribute to the general work of the Marine Ecosystems Activity Team including work on Marine Protected Areas, Priority Marine Features, awareness raising and training.

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

• A degree in a relevant subject plus relevant post-graduate or work experience.
• A sound understanding of marine ecology, in particular, habitats and species of conservation importance in Scottish inshore waters and the issues and legislation relating to their conservation.
• Experience of techniques & methods applicable to mapping and monitoring the Scottish marine environment, with the ability to identify common benthic habitats and species and an understanding of the UK marine habitat classification (biotopes). Formal qualifications and applied experience of scientific diving (CMAS 3* or equivalent) and small boat handling (RYA powerboat level 2 or above) would be desirable.
• Ability to analyse, interpret and manage scientific information - including experience of data handling, the application of statistical methods and undertaking quality assurance. 
• Experience in the use of GIS.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and written and verbal communication abilities, including demonstrable experience of developing working relationships with a range of stakeholders and communicating science to different audiences.
• Good interpersonal skills including excellent communication and team working allied to an ability to communicate science to a range of audiences in an engaging manner. 
• Ability to plan and manage projects and personal workloads and adapt to changing priorities while balancing a high volume of reactive work.
• Driving license or other means of transport (relevant driving licence entitlement for towing small boats / trailers with practical experience also desirable).

 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.

For information regarding the vacancy, please contact:

Roddy MacMinn, Vacancy Manager 

email: roddy.macminn@nature.scot 

For information regarding the application process 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