Description Are you looking for a varied and rewarding role where you can be an integral part of a team that ensures payments to farmers, crofters and land managers are made on time and that the associated regulations are adhered to? RPID teams manage the implementation of agricultural, environmental and rural policies, process applications for funding and provide high quality customer service. The Agricultural Officer team undertake a wide variety of duties, many of an outdoor nature, including visits to farms and crofts to carry out inspections. The team also undertake desk-based processing of claims and applications, and engage directly with customers as the primary point of contact for crofters and the rural community in the area. The Higher Agricultural Officer position is primarily a management and coordination role, but it also includes the requirement to undertake some inspections, and carrying out site visits to diverse types of agricultural establishments, often over extensive and difficult terrain and in all weather conditions. Experience of crossing this type of land and a willingness to undertake these visits are prerequisites for this post. Due to the nature of this role, a considerable amount of driving is involved therefore a valid driving licence that enables the candidate to drive in the UK is mandatory. Responsibilities Undertake a key leadership role in supporting front line SG staff in Rural Scotland interacting with rural business, stakeholders. Line managing a team of Agricultural Officers. Act as coordinator for specific agreed schemes. Represent RPID at meetings with stakeholders and other interested bodies. Oversee, carry out and arrange training for your team members. Conducting site visits for the purposes of verification and to along confirm regulatory requirements are met for, plant health, animal identification, subsidy payments and other matters dealt with by RPID. Liaise with scheme team colleagues to ensure consistency in certification of claims and the enforcement of regulations. Qualifications Qualifications: Valid driving licence which enables you to drive in the UK - Please confirm in your CV/Personal Statement that you hold this qualification. 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 (Practitioner) – Recognises the complexities of organisational service delivery, and communicates key issues and messages in an open, simple, and accessible way to stakeholders. Delivery and decision making at speed (Practitioner) – Empowers team to make decisions and to intervene to help expedite the processes to outcomes for customers, but within policy and risk tolerance (e.g. when things good enough to proceed). Experience: Practical experience working in agriculture, crofting, land management or a related rural discipline and an excellent understanding of farming and rural practices in Scotland. Behaviours: Working together – Level 3 Managing a quality service – Level 3 You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Behaviour levels - 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. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 8 September 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. Working Pattern Our standard hours are 35 hours per week. This post is on site. 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. Apply before 23:59 on 24 August 2025. This post is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship Organisations only.