Regulations Manager

Job summary

Scottish Forestry is the Scottish Government agency responsible for the regulation of forestry activity, forestry policy and grant incentives. We aim to protect and expand Scotland’s forests and woodlands and increase their value to society and the environment.

This post is based in the Woodland Creation & Regulations team that forms part of Operational Delivery, and the post will report to the Woodland Creation & Forestry Regulation Manager. The team manages the procedures for delivery of felling and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations and provides support to the five Conservancy offices around Scotland. The team also monitors and provides support on the UKFS and on complex cases.

This post will be part of a team that leads on all aspects of the felling regulations as set out in the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 and related regulations, which gave us new powers and procedures in relation to felling permission (including long-term forest plans) and unauthorised felling in 2019.

This post will also be involved with the Forestry (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017. These regulations apply to a number of forestry activities, including woodland creation. As the Scottish Government is committed to creating 18,000 hectares of woodland a year across Scotland the EIA regulations form a major part of our approval process.

As this post is a national role and will be providing support and guidance to Conservancy staff around Scotland, we will accept applications to work from any Scottish Forestry Office. Some of the role will be related to staff training and complex cases (such as unauthorised felling) handled by Conservancy teams, therefore you will be required to travel some of the time.

Job description

What you will do

This post will be a national lead for forestry regulations; managing the felling regulation procedures and assisting Conservancies, ensuring that guidance is up-to-date and training is available.

You will be a point of contact for advice, interpretation of legislation, escalated decisions, and to assist with responses, such as to appeals or complaints. You will also help to manage the processes for forest planning and will monitor delivery processes across Conservancies, ensuring that Scottish Forestry are delivering our regulatory responsibilities in a consistent manner and in line with Scotland’s Forest Strategy.

Main Duties

• Responsible for the management of forestry regulations through the provision of technical and process advice and support to Conservancies for the delivery of the forestry regulations.
• Manage forestry regulations guidance and update procedures in line with legislation and other developments.
• Plan, develop and deliver training and support materials for forestry regulations, including felling and Forest Plans.
• Work with other teams in Scottish Forestry to develop IT processes to support the delivery of regulations.
• Contribute to the wider work of the Scottish Forestry team particularly in relation to regulatory work.

Person specification

Experience

Essential:

• Experience and knowledge of existing felling regulations and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations and the UK Forestry Standard
• Experience in a role providing advice, support, or guidance to staff and/or stakeholders

Desirable:

• Experience with the UKFS Compliance Procedure
• Experience in working in partnership with internal and/or external stakeholders
• Experience reading and interpreting legislation
• Member of the Institute of Chartered Foresters

Technical

Essential:

• A recognised qualification (BSc or equivalent) in Forestry, Land use Management or a related subject; or significant experience in land management and forestry.
• Be a competent user of MS Office packages.

Behaviours

On the application form you’ll find four free text boxes to provide your behaviour responses. Please note, you’re only required to provide evidence against the below behaviours on your application. This means that if less than four behaviours are noted, you can leave the relevant free text(s) box blank on your application.

Behaviour 1 and Lead Criteria: Making Effective Decisions

Behaviour 2: Communicating and Influencing

Behaviour 3: Working Together

Behaviour 4: Managing a Quality Service

Driving licence

This role requires you to have a full UK driving licence, however, we are willing to consider any proposals that would allow you to do the job by other means.

Travel

As this role involves working with colleagues across Scotland, there will be regular travel involved which may include overnight stays away from home.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £45,711, Scottish Forestry contributes £13,242 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements 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, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Apply on the Scottish Forestry Website

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or in