Seabird Restoration and Resilience Officer

Seabird Restoration and Resilience Officer

Any NatureScot office, home and hybrid working considered
£38,616 (pay award pending effect from 1 April 2025)

Job Purpose Summary

NatureScot is seeking an experienced ornithologist to support and drive seabird conservation across Scotland. This role will focus on facilitating timely implementation of predator reduction and biosecurity measures at priority seabird colonies.

Scotland’s coastline and waters are of global importance to seabirds however, the most recent census (Seabird Count) shows that our seabirds are in trouble and urgent action is required to address these declines. In response, the Scottish Government have published the Scottish Seabird Conservation Action Plan. The plan takes a holistic, multi-faceted approach and identifies actions where they are most needed and can be most effective. To help deliver these, we are recruiting for a full-time, one-year position within our marine ornithology team.

NatureScot’s marine ornithology team lead on work to deliver marine bird conservation priorities and monitoring, providing expert advice, and supporting policy changes and research. The successful candidate will be highly motivated and have strong seabird and marine ecology knowledge, experience in seabird predator and biosecurity management, and excellent project management and communication skills. They will work closely with internal teams, land managers, and external partners, including the Scottish Government. The post-holder will also be expected to contribute to the wider work of the Activity Team, inputting to media, awareness raising and training initiatives as relevant.

Key responsibilities (please refer to these in your supporting statement):

Role key tasks:

1. Develop a ten-year programme of INNS predator reduction and biosecurity at prioritised Scottish seabird colonies, including developing success criteria and establishing reporting mechanisms.
2. Prepare a stakeholder engagement and communication plan.
3. Liaise with landowners and key stakeholders to secure agreements permitting implementation of predator reduction measures and long-term biosecurity and monitoring.
4. Prepare Predator Eradication Implementation Tender Specifications for prioritised colonies, setting out project design, operational methodologies, monitoring and long-term maintenance and biosecurity plan requirements.
5. Provide marine ornithology expertise to Scottish Government and NatureScot on seabird predator reduction and biosecurity proposals.
6. Provide input to the Seabird Conservation UK Advisory Science Forum (SCUAS) on research requirements to inform knowledge gaps with respect to predation reduction measures, adaptation and re-establishment of seabird colonies.
7. Work with partners to establish long-term national biosecurity standards and incursion readiness.
8. Promote awareness of seabird conservation work across the Seabird Delivery Partnership and NatureScot’s wider marine work through social media, press releases and the NatureScot website.
9. Contribute to wider NatureScot team 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.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the ecology of Scottish seabirds.
• Demonstratable knowledge of seabird predator eradication/reduction and biosecurity methods and associated logistical dependencies. Practical experience is desirable but not essential.
• Good knowledge of marine bird monitoring techniques including land and boat-based survey, vantage-point survey, digital aerial survey and remote technology.
• 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.

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)
• 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

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.

Closing date: 20 November 2025.

Interview date: 8 December 2025.