Biodiversity Enhancement Ecologist – Scotland

Core responsibilities:

• Assessing on-reserve projects against SSEN Transmission's Biodiversity Enhancement metric and RSPB Scotland's existing ecological priorities
• Working closely with both organisations to develop suitable Biodiversity Enhancement projects that deliver priority nature conservation objectives, within the requirements of the Scottish planning system
• Advising both organisations on ecological aspects of potential projects to maximise nature conservation benefit
• Developing Habitat Management Plans and evaluating the expected ecological performance of projects
• Identifying habitat management revisions through observation and analysis of ongoing management

This role drives forward Biodiversity Enhancement potential in Scotland, helping to ensure this plays a part in bolstering Scotland's ability to tackle the nature crisis and delivers bigger, better and more joined up nature restoration.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Using net gain biodiversity metrics (ideally the SSEN metric) to design tangible habitat restoration projects, and knowledge of their application in a Scottish context
• Use of UKHab (Phase 1, NVC also desirable) to carry out surveys on a broad range of habitat and species, to a consistent high standard
• Developing habitat management plans to deliver ecological goals
• Flexibility and solutions focused - a strong desire and ability to find a way forward when existing approaches aren't working
• Collaboration in multi-disciplinary project teams and the skills required to maintain and develop good relations across many stakeholders
• Personal time management and prioritisation to meet project deadlines and external partner requirements
• Record keeping and data management using databases/mapping software such as ArcGIS, QGIS and Merlin (RSPB bespoke system), plus standard ecological survey software
• Written and verbal communication skills to compile metric toolkit assessments, habitat management and restoration plans, monitoring reports, conveying technical information verbally to stakeholders
• Ability to confidently and safely access and work in remote areas across Scotland. A UK driving licence is essential, as many reserves are not served by public transport

Compensation and benefits:

• Salary: £33,027.00 - £35,259.00 Per Annum
• Pension Scheme
• Life Assurance Scheme
• 26 days' Annual Leave