Environment Ranger

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is an executive agency of Scottish Government and manages Scotland’s Forest and Land. We manage land on behalf of Scottish Ministers and serve as part of the Environment and Forestry directorate of the Scottish Government.

FLS consists of 5 regions. This post will be based in the Newton Stewart Office which is part of the South region. The South region covers some of the most beautiful scenery including the Isle of Arran, Galloway and Ae Forests. We produce approximately 1 million cubic metres of conifer timber annually with a correspondingly large restock programme, roading programme and an increasing thinning programme. South Region is also a focus for recreation provided via formal walking trails, mountain bike routes and visitor centres as well as being a focus for wind energy.

The Region looks after Scheduled Monuments, has extensive areas of open ground in the centre of the Galloway Forest Park and manages a number of European Designated sites. Activities on these sites include management for the protection of endangered species, habitats and geomorphological interests. Other significant activities include new native woodland creation, peatland restoration, restoration of Plantation Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) and management of key species including red squirrel, nightjar, pine marten, black grouse and a range of raptor species.

You will be provided with training and mentoring and will be working alongside experienced team members to help you settle quickly into the role.

Key Responsibilities:

*  Contribute to the work planning process as part of active management of the forest, e.g. felling, replanting, thinning and road construction. This will require desktop based assessment of GIS map based records and site visits. This work includes advising the Delivery teams of possible impacts on natural heritage features, required mitigation and subsequent monitoring of work and progress;

*  Input and update data into the computer based GIS module as and when required;

*  Assist the Environment Forester with the management program of Scheduled Ancient Monuments and Heritage sites;

*  Contribute to the monitoring of priority species such as (but not limited to) black grouse, red squirrels and raptors. These surveys may on occasion require working unsociable hours;

*  Contribute to the monitoring of and work associated with the long term improvement to plantations on ancient woodland sites, semi-natural woodlands, native woodlands, designated sites, open habitat, water quality and riparian habitats;

*  Contribute to team discussions and regional activities providing in-house talks when and where required;

*  Assist the Environment Forester with permission requests to include volunteer permissions, which may result in occasionally overseeing volunteer groups;

*  On occasions provide external activities and talks to help promote environmental awareness to members of the public and environmental groups;

For more information and to apply, please visit our website:

www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk

hr@forestryandland.gov.scot

Please quote ref 56018

Closing date: 2^nd August 2020, 23:55

No recruitment agencies please.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all sectors of our diverse community.