Job Description
Job Title: 1002-341 Geology Adviser| Grade: D | Hours: 21 | Vacancy type: Permanent |Salary £40,161 (£41,567 from April 1 2026) pro rata | Location: NatureScot offices, home or hybrid | Closing date: Midnight 30 March 2026 | Internal Interview: 09 April 2026 | External Interview: TBC
Job Summary:
Working closely with other NatureScot staff, the post holder will provide specialist advice in respect of geology within our Geodiversity Team.
This Geological Adviser post is essential for the delivery of statutory functions, including several deliverables within the Nature Conservation Act, specialist advice for Development Casework, Site Condition Monitoring and site management (including maintaining the GCR site network), promotion of the Scottish Fossil Code and Scotland’s geoheritage including globally recognised sites, and review of the Skye Nature Conservation Order (2019).
Applicants must have a sound and broad understanding of Scottish geology, with detailed and specialist knowledge to lead NatureScot’s advice on Stratigraphy and Palaeontology. The post will provide a supporting role to the other Geological Adviser who leads advice on Metamorphic, Igneous and Mineralogy topics.
The postholder will liaise with colleagues across the organisation and wider partners including Scottish Government, local authorities, research institutions, geoconservation sector and community groups. The post holder will provide scientific advice to consider a wide range of development planning casework.
This work may often be 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 geology, policy and legislation relating to its sustainable use and management. The post holder should have up-to-date knowledge and understanding of geo-heritage topics, conservation issues, and impacts and mitigation options related to human activities.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Provide geodiversity advise on protected areas case work (in consideration of planning applications etc) and site management. Including ongoing casework with advisory input to a range of development proposals, with a lead on stratigraphy and palaeontology interests, and a supporting role on other geological interests.
2. Maintaining the Geological Conservation Review network underpinning SSSI designation (statutory requirement). Including a constant commitment providing and better communicating a robust evidence-base. The role extends to proposing the addition of sites to the GCR and being part of the Interagency team assessing site proposals originating from the other nations.
3. Provide advice on Site Condition Monitoring, with a lead responsibility for stratigraphy and palaeontology interests, and a supporting role on other geological interests. Exploring opportunities for use of new technologies and efficiencies, including drone photogrammetry.
4. Exploiting the opportunities that geodiversity offers in tackling the effects of climate change and helping to combat biodiversity loss (based in statutory duty). Contribute to promoting and driving forward Scotland’s Geodiversity Charter (an action in the Scottish Biodiversity Delivery Plan 2024–2030) highlighting the value of Scotland’s geodiversity and the range of geosystem services it provides and the role they have in delivering for biodiversity and helping to mitigate for the effects of climate change.
5. Being influential and connecting people with nature (based in statutory duty) in support of NatureScot’s corporate plan (2026 to 2030). Build stronger relationships with NGO sector and business encouraging involvement with geodiversity volunteering both in terms of conservation and promotion. This includes sharing knowledge and practitioner experience regarding geoconservation and geodiversity promotion. Working with the Scottish Geology Trust, UK Committee on UNESCO Geoparks and voluntary geoconservation Groups.
Skills required (please refer to these in your supporting statement)
6. A post graduate degree in a relevant subject (often geology or geo-sciences) plus relevant post-graduate experience or work experience or equivalent
7. A sound understanding of the geology of Scotland.
8. A clear understanding of the topic of geo-heritage conservation, the Nature Conservation Act and the Scottish planning system.
9. Ability to analyse, interpret and manage scientific information to provide informed, clear and solution focused advice.
10. Good interpersonal skills including excellent communications skills, both verbal and written, and excellent team working skills.
11. Experience of developing and maintaining positive working relationship with stakeholders, such as agencies, organisation, developers or government.
12. Knowledge of NatureScot’s priorities and processes, and an awareness of the political environment in which NatureScot operates.
Ability to plan and manage workloads, work to deadlines and adapt to changing priorities while balancing high volume of reactive work.