Job Purpose Summary
The Administrative Support - North role is part of NatureScot’s National Operations North team. The purpose of this post is to provide effective administrative support to both Golspie and Kirkwall offices, working closely with Golspie Office Manager and the wider support team. The post covers a full range of general administrative functions, as well as assisting with office facility management. We are looking for a versatile individual who wishes to utilise and develop their administrative skills. This role would suit someone who enjoys working with others, keen to learn and can adapt to a reactive work environment. The role includes regular travel to the Kirkwall office; the post holder must be willing to spend short periods of time working at other locations.
Areas of Responsibilities
1. Assist the Golspie Office Manager with office and facility management tasks, providing cover during periods of their leave.
2. Assist with the effective running of the Kirkwall Office, providing admin and facility management support, with regular visits to Kirkwall the office.
3. Assist the Golspie Office Manager with health and safety procedures, including weekly fire alarm testing and first aid kit management.
4. Local Vehicles Officer (LVO) for Golspie and Kirkwall pool vehicles, ensuring monthly vehicle inspections, repairs and servicing/MOT works are carried out. Assist with the management of local electric charging points.
5. Records Liaison Officer (RLO) for local offices. Managing all information and data in accordance with corporate policy. Maintaining both the electronic and physical filing system, including file review.
6. Assist with financial processes and procuring items as and when required through Government Procurement Card (GPC) or purchase order through Fusion.
7. Arrange travel and accommodation bookings for National Operations North team.
8. General administrative duties supporting staff with day-to-day requirements, including mail merges and minute taking.
9. Assisting with the day-to-day operation of IT systems and office equipment.
10. Lead on updating databases for Designated Areas (MIDAS) and Contacts.
11. Lead on greening tasks, including logging monthly meter readings and weekly waste/recycling totals.
Essential Skills (Please refer to each of these in your supporting statement)
1. Relevant administrative experience, related to the area of responsibilities for this role.
2. Well-developed IT skills. Competent with MS Office suite with an aptitude for learning and using new applications.
3. Experience of financial processes and purchasing.
4. Good organisational and time management skills with ability to work independently with initiative and as part of a team.
5. Good communication skills, both written and verbal, including communicating with a variety of colleagues and external contacts.
6. Understanding of health and safety policies and procedures.
7. Ability and willingness to spend short periods of time away working from other locations, including overnight trips.
Desirable Skills
* An interest in the natural heritage and the role of NatureScot.
* Full, clean driving licence, or be able to call on alternative means of transport.
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
* 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
Closing date: Midnight 22 April 2026.
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.
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.