Area Officer Forth & Borders JOB CODE: LJ23 GRADE

JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE:
JOB CODE:
GRADE:
LOCATION:
STATUS:
Area Officer Forth & Borders
LJ23
C
Galashiels
Time-limited until 24 July 2005 with the possibility of extension
SALARY: £17,774
RESPONSIBLE TO:
D Grade Area Officer (LJ06) – Forth & Borders
Main Purpose of the Post:
Support to 3 D grade Area Officers in the delivery of SNH objectives in the Borders with
particular reference to Natura sites and issues, aquatic habitats - freshwater and marine,
woodlands and specified wider countryside functions. Responsibility for the management of
Cragbank & Wolfehopelee Woods NNR, and a range of named SSSI.
Main Tasks and Responsibilities:
1. River Tweed cSAC. Contribution to completion of all work related to the consultations
over the River Tweed cSAC, eg. tenure records, GIS, consents.
2. Natura casework. Respond to Town & Country Planning Act casework on Natura sites
in relation to the Conservation Regulations, especially River Tweed river-works cases,
and other casework arising from SEPA, FEPA, SFGS consultations.
3. Natura tasks. Contribute to all other Natura functions including preparation of
conservation objectives, review and amendment of underpinning SSSI notifications,
especially consents and PDOs, the designation of cSACs and any other consultations as
are necessary on new or extended European sites.
4. NNR management. Responsibility for the management of Cragbank & Wolfehopelee
Woods NNR, especially as part of the Borders Woods cSAC. Liaison with contract
manager and input to annual review of contract, Reserve Management Group,
contribution to completion and implementation of the Management Plan, maintenance of
management records, development of research and survey requirements and promotion
of public awareness.
5. SSSI management. Assume the administration and management of a range of specified
SSSI, including some non-Natura sites. Deal with all NOI, consents and other casework,
oversee review of SMS and SCM programme. Conduct compliance monitoring for
existing MAs and input to the development of new MAs. Contribute to the compilation of
a prioritised site database for management, research and survey and implement
according to planned objectives and prescriptions and available resources.

6. Natural Care. Contribute to the development, launch and implementation of a Rivers
Natural Care Scheme
7. LIFE projects. Oversee and contribute to LIFE projects on Natura sites eg. Woodlands,
Salmon.
8. Marine sites. Input as requested to the Berwickshire and North Northumberland EMS
Management Group and Management Scheme implementation, and the St Abbs and
Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve committee. Support and advise the Coastal LBAP
group.
9. Grants. Carry out assessment and processing of grant applications relating to Natura
sites and partnership projects. Handle grant cases in the wider countryside, especially
school grounds cases, to agreed time commitments in liaison with D grade Area Officer
(Wider Countryside).
10. Woodlands. Contribute woodland expertise to Forest Habitat Network development and
community woodland groups, to agreed time commitments in liaison with D grade Area
Officer (Wider Countryside). Support and advise the Woodlands LBAP group.
11. Partnerships. Continue to work in partnership with Tweed Forum Technical sub-groups
– River-works, Reservoir Release, Bridging the Border and Interpretation. Substitute for
other staff on other groups if necessary. Contribute to development of Competent
Authorities group. Support LBAP groups as above and specified local site management
groups eg. SWT Reserve groups.
12. Species casework. Contribute to protected species casework, especially European
priority species and those occurring on Natura sites. Collation and dissemination of
species licensing information to staff and liaison with Licensing Section.
13. WFD. Contribute to developing work arising from the Water Framework Directive,
including involvement in the establishment and management of River Basin Districts and
plans.
14. Management. The post is directly responsible to D grade Area Officer LJ06. Within that
line management arrangement, the post supports, and contributes to, the work of other
Borders D grade Area Officers to agreed limits on time commitment for specific tasks
through close liaison with the post’s line manager and at the discretion of the Operations
Manager Borders.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Criteria
Qualification:
Ordinary degree or equivalent in a subject such as ecology, applied biology/land-use;
environmental studies or environmental education;" countryside management or
interpretation; or Town & Country Planning.

Knowledge & Experience
• Preferably two years additional experience in land-use; habitat and species
management; environmental education or interpretation with Planning and Development
• Working knowledge of the Wildlife and Countryside Act and EC Birds and Habitats &
Species Directives, with some knowledge of biological recording techniques.
• Experience of working with land-owners, managers and user groups, including voluntary
bodies, and especially those involved with farming, forestry and river management.
• Some understanding of and sympathy with the aims and objectives of SNH.
• Ability to work responsibly and constructively as part of a small team, and on occasions
alone, with adequate, recording of issues and the ability to take forward action
• IT skills with a working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel, Powerpoint etc.
Skills:
• Good communications skills both verbal and written, internal and external, with some
evidence of public-speaking.
• Ability to work responsibly unsupervised, alone or in a small team, which may include
outside partners.
• Innovative and clear working, analysis of issues and the ability to present these in a
structured way to colleagues together with constructive solutions/options.
• Clear time-management skills with the ability to prioritise work, and to anticipate and
meet deadlines
• Full clean driving license.
Desirable Criteria
Knowledge & Experience:
• A working knowledge of river systems and protection
• An understanding of landscape character assessment.
• Some knowledge of rural development, "green" tourism, countryside access issues, and
Community Planning
• Some experience of Biological Records Centres and general biological recording.
• Some working knowledge of SNH or other U.K. or European grant-support schemes
• Understanding of the G.I.S package ARCview, and its relevant applications

• A self-motivated, flexible and innovative outlook on land-use and conservation issues in
the wider countryside.
Resources:
Use of 2 pool vehicles
Use of optical, audio-visual; field-survey and personal computers with their associated
peripheral hardware.
Biological and other record data-bases.
Please return completed applications to :
Lee-Ann Bartolo
HR Services
Scottish Natural Heritage
12 Hope Terrace
Edinburgh
EH9 2AS
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 23 February 2005