Marine Sustainability Adviser - Benthic

Marine Sustainability Adviser - Benthic

• Any NatureScot office, home and hybrid working considered
• £40,161
• Fixed term for 3 years until 31 March 2029

Job Purpose Summary

This is a full-time role within NatureScot’s Marine Energy programme, based in our Sustainable Coasts and Seas Activity. Working closely with other NatureScot staff, the post holder will provide specialist advice in respect of benthic ecology to our Marine Energy team and other NatureScot staff on benthic impacts from marine energy activities, particularly offshore wind. The successful post holder will engage with NatureScot case leads as well as industries, Crown Estate Scotland, Local Authorities, Port Authorities and relevant Directorates in Scottish Government. Advice will be required for all phases of development activity including Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) and Marine Protected Area (MPA) Assessments, as well as consideration of the national status of Priority Marine Features (PMFs).

The post will provide a specialist role in delivering high priority work associated with the delivery of offshore wind projects and other marine industries projects in Scottish waters. It will also lead or provide input on NatureScot work on research, policy and guidance in respect of benthic features and their interactions with industries and support the delivery of projects led by UK and Scottish Governments and Industry.

The post will also have specific responsibilities to lead and oversee NatureScot’s work on marine renewables research and monitoring through initiatives such as ScotMER and ORJIP. The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of guidance and advice - both internal and external - to help developers and their consultants through all stages of development from pre-application to decommissioning. There will also be requirement to represent NatureScot on Scottish and UK groups, reviewing the increasing demands on marine space to inform NatureScot’s advice on marine spatial planning policies relating to marine industries and the protection of benthic interests. The post holder will also contribute to evolving work to identify and prioritise specific site-based and wider seas conservation opportunities focusing on those that provide the most benefit in terms of biodiversity gain and facilitating climate change adaptation and resilience.

The post holder will also be required to contribute to the wider work of the Marine Energy team and both the Sustainable Coasts and Seas and Marine Ecosystem Activities, including the potential to work as a Duty Officer on a rota for responding to marine pollution incidents.

This work is high profile and fast-paced, and we are seeking an experienced and resilient individual with the confidence to manage and multitask across casework demands, contribute to strategic work and deliver high quality outputs.

The post holder will be an appropriately qualified and experienced specialist with a good understanding of Scotland’s marine environment, policy and legislation relating to its sustainable use and management. The post holder should have up-to-date knowledge and understanding of marine ecosystems and in particular benthic features, conservation issues, and impacts and mitigation options related to human activities.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

1. Provide constructive, solution-focused advice and support for NatureScot marine industries casework advice. This will include proposals arising from marine energy, pipelines and cabling infrastructure, oil and gas, and any associated infrastructure related to marine energy projects. This requires an understanding of marine ecology and the likely interactions and effects on benthic features and their supporting habitats from infrastructure or activities in the marine environment.
2. Understanding of underwater noise propagation and modelling as well as electric magnetic field effects (EMF) effects and monitoring across all marine industries with regard to benthic interests
3. Understanding of survey and monitoring techniques for benthic features, including eDNA techniques and their uses in informing Environmental Impact Assessment, Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area Assessment, Habitats Regulations Appraisal processes, as well as consideration of national status of Priority Marine Features.
4. Representing NatureScot on research project steering groups and external working groups relating to benthic ecology and development and refinement of guidance and research topics.
5. Contribute to thinking and advice on marine ecosystems, including benthic features and their supporting habitats and opportunities for biodiversity net gain associated with development as well as compensation measures and or their equivalent in respect of both Habitats Regulation Appraisal and Nature Conservation MPA derogation processes.
6. Opportunity to act as a Duty Officer for marine pollution incidents, participating in the cover provided by NatureScot through an agreed rota system. (This can require work outside of normal working hours – weekends and evenings).
7. Contribution to wider communication around awareness of NatureScot and our marine ecology work through social media, press releases and the NatureScot website.

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

1. A degree in a relevant subject plus relevant post-graduate experience or work experience
2. A sound understanding of the marine ecology, habitats and species of Scotland
3. A clear understanding of nature conservation and planning legislation including Marine Scotland (2010) Act, EIA, MPA and HRA relevant to Scotland’s seas and marine species
4. Knowledge and experience of coastal and marine industries, relevant to Scotland, including offshore wind and ports / harbours and the potential interactions of these activities with benthic habitats
5. Understanding of techniques & methods applicable to monitoring benthic species and their habitats.
6. Ability to analyse, interpret and manage scientific information to provide informed, clear and solution focused advice.
7. Good interpersonal skills including excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and excellent team working skills
8. Experience of developing and maintaining positive working relationships with stakeholders, such as agencies, organisations, developers or government
9. Knowledge of NatureScot’s priorities and processes and an awareness of the political environment in which NatureScot operates
10. Ability to plan and manage workloads, work to deadlines and adapt to changing priorities while balancing a high volume of reactive work

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 – 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.

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: 9 March 2026.
Interview date: 25 March 2026.