Description Job description Are you looking for a marine-based role where you can make a real difference by ensuring standards in the fishing industry? The Scottish Government have vacancies in Scrabster, Peterhead, Ullapool and Kinlochbervie for six Operations Officers. The Marine Directorate Operations are responsible for deterring and detecting illegal activities through effective compliance and enforcement arrangements. We employ Marine staff, who are responsible for the crewing of Marine Scotland Compliance's three Marine Protection vessels and Coastal Inspection staff, who make up the Sea Fisheries Inspectorate. As warranted officers (following satisfactory completion of our BSFO training programme), you will undertake inspections of documentation, equipment and catches and provide guidance, advice and information to fishing industry contacts. You will work as part of a team to investigate compliance of Marine Licensing Regulations, ensuring quality standards and protecting Scotland’s marine environment. Due to the locations of landing ports, a valid driving licence, which enables you to drive in the UK is required, as a considerable amount of driving will be involved. You should note that this role includes carrying out visits to various types of establishments in all weather conditions, therefore a willingness to carry out these visits is a prerequisite for the post. Further vacancies throughout our 18 Costal location may arise throughout the next 12 months. Responsibilities Responsibilities Inspection of documentation, fishing gear and/or catches for compliance with conservation, quota management and marketing regulations. Analysis of Master’s daily electronic logbook information. Analysis of vessel’s transmissions via Vessel Monitoring Systems. Provide guidance, advice and information to the fishing industry. Officers based at our coastal locations may conduct inspections onshore in factories and on board fishing vessels whilst in harbour. Inspections of fish and documentation are conducted at the premises of fish buyers and sellers as well as in vehicles used to transport fisheries products. Inspections are conducted 24/7 in-line with the operations of the industry and officers can expect to undertake some of their duties in unsocial hours and at weekends. Investigating offences against Scottish, UK, EU and International Fisheries Regulations, and being responsible for compiling and submitting prosecution reports to The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, which may ultimately lead to the criminal prosecution of offenders. Qualifications Qualifications Valid driving licence which enables you to drive in the UK - please indicate in your personal statement that you meet this requirement. Success profile Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. Technical / Professional Skills: Connections and communication – Working level Data and insight - Working level Delivery and decision making as speed - Working level You can find out more about the skills required here: Core ODP Skills - Operational Delivery Profession Experience Previous experience working in the fishing/aquaculture/marine industries. Behaviours: Managing a quality service – Level 2 You can find out more about Success Profiles here: Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot How to apply Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 27 October 2025 however this may be subject to change. About us The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland. We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer. As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules. Shift/Flexible Working Allowance Officers will qualify for either a shift allowance or flexible working allowance (0700 – 2300). Scrabster – Flexible Working Allowance Peterhead – shift working day/backshift Peterhead – permanent night shift working between the hours of 20:00 and 08:00. Officers will qualify for a monthly shift working allowance Ullapool – Flexible Working Allowance Kinlochbervie – Flexible Working Allowance For further information on these allowances, please contact nicol.strang@gov.scot Working pattern Various working patterns specific to each location. Security checks Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions). You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide. Equality statement We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them. Further information Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website. Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.