RSPB - Flexible in Scotland - Rural Surveyor

Do you want a role where you know you are making a positive difference for nature in Scotland using your professional expertise? From access rights to carbon credit sales and listed buildings to significant acquisitions, you’ll be involved. We know no-one has all the skills and experience detailed, but please drop RSPB an e-mail to explore what might be possible.

We are seeking an experienced and self-motivated Rural Surveyor to join the RSPB’s Scotland Surveying Dept. The successful applicant will join a Scotland wide team of 7 Rural Surveyors, 1 Building Surveyor, 1 Land Management Support Specialist and 1 Livestock and Grazing Advisor. You will have a specific portfolio of reserves to provide professional advice to, and will support the wider delivery of the departmental casework as required across Scotland. The location of the role is flexible within Scotland mainland, and home-based. Some site visits will involve overnight stays away from home.

Key activities include:

• Land and Property Management: Carrying out due diligence to identify, mitigate and manage the legal, financial and reputational aspects of rural property including land, buildings, and offices including rent reviews, repairing obligations, landlord consents, land management contracts, compliance with grant conditions. Advising on agricultural property law, forestry and agri-environment agreement work, granting leases/licences e.g. sporting, fishing, grazing.
• Reserve acquisition work: Appraising, negotiating and concluding acquisitions to establish new reserves, extend existing reserves, and acquire property e.g. offices, workshops, and farm buildings by purchase, lease or management agreement and include land and building valuations.
• Land and Property disposal: Appraising, advising and delivering disposals of land, houses, offices and properties that are surplus to operational need.
• Risk management and project support: Supporting the development and implementation of systems to manage the RSPB’s exposure to legal, financial and reputational risk arising from its land and property operations. Undertaking internal audits to ensure compliance with forestry and agri-environment grant schemes. Providing professional support to Area Teams and project managers, and assisting in the production of codes of practice and guidance for staff.
• Team working: The Scotland Surveying Dept work together with a strong team ethos, enthusiasm and dedication and share professional expertise, knowledge, and information at regular Dept meetings. You will be encouraged to be out of the office, providing professional advice to staff, to minimise risk and optimise financial returns for the RSPB nature reserves. You will demonstrate initiative, motivation, and flair to spot income opportunities. RSPB will support you in maintaining your RICS qualification and provide in-house and external support to meet CPD requirements.

Essential qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Chartered member of RICS (Rural) or another equivalent professional organisation.
• Demonstrable post qualification knowledge and experience of estate management, land and property acquisition and disposal work in the Scottish rural environment
• An up to date understanding of agricultural subsidy schemes and associated cross compliance requirements in Scotland
• Significant experience of Scotland specific legislation relating to rural property
• Knowledge and experience of project management principles and their application
• Ability to clearly communicate verbally, and in writing, complex estate management issues to all levels within RSPB and to external audiences
• Ability to make quick, pragmatic, and practical decisions/recommendations/alternatives based on sound analysis and reason
• Ability to positively influence wider audiences and demonstrate credibility both internally and externally
• Ability to manage and prioritise high volume competing objectives, work alone and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to travel widely including by car and public transport. This role will require occasional overnight stays away from home

Additional Information

Rural Surveyor Contract until 31/3/25 - Full-Time 37.5hrs/week or Part-Time considered

Closing date for applications is 25th August 2024. Dates for interview will be w/c 3rd Sept. Please note that we are actively recruiting for this vacancy, and reserve the right to close once sufficient applications have been received. For further information please contact – robbin.mitchell@rspb.org.uk

As part of this application process, you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

Please read through the attached candidate guidance notes before applying.

We reserve the right to close this advert once sufficient applications have been received.