About The Role

Are you an experienced Chartered Environmentalist (or equivalent professional qualification) with a track record of supporting the delivery of significant infrastructure works?

Transport Scotland is looking for an experienced applicant to fill a key Environmental Advisor role in our A9 Dualling Team within our Infrastructure Projects Directorate. This is an exciting and challenging post on a Scottish Government flagship Programme, that will directly contribute to delivery of the Scottish Government’s priorities and make a real difference to the lives of people living in Scotland, now and in the future.

Transport Scotland’s Infrastructure Projects Directorate is responsible for the design, assessment, promotion, procurement and construction of major transport infrastructure projects. These include the current Scottish Motorway and Trunk Road Programme (including the A9 Dualling Perth to Inverness, A83 Rest and Be Thankful and A96 Dualling). We also have new projects emerging from the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2). The Directorate also leads and advises on procurement and contract management matters for Transport Scotland.

The post will be within the A9 Dualling Team, the Programme for which is progressing at pace with construction contractors underway to dual the sections between Tomatin and Moy and between Tay Crossing and Ballinluig. Procurement for the A9 Dualling: Pitlochry to Killiecrankie is also currently underway and is expected to be awarded later this year. We are also delivering a wide range of advance works packages to help de-risk our programme. It is an exciting time for the team as we deliver the Scottish Government’s A9 Dualling Delivery plan to complete the A9 Dualling between Perth and Inverness by 2035.

At this time, the post holder will report to the C3 Head of A9 Dualling Delivery. The A9 Dualling team consists of a range of engineers supported by governance and communications staff together with a specialist administration team with access to technical advisors across all projects under the Programme.

Whilst this post is for a role within the A9 Dualling Delivery Team mentioned above, flexibility may be required to work across the Directorate as priorities and projects dictate.

Responsibilities

Review the necessary environmental information for each of the projects – such as Statutory Impact Assessments, Environmental Statements, CAR licences, not environmentally worse than assessments, contractors environmental management plans etc and associated guidance, legislation and policy to assist in determining any differences raised during procurement competitions and support the relevant team through the various processes.
Co-ordinate across teams within Transport Scotland to secure review and determinations for various environmental assessments during the procurement and construction phases.
Lead on reviewing the work of major works and service contractors, with a focus on environmental compliance with the relevant Environmental Protection and Sustainability Laws.
Provide written and verbal advice to Decision Makers.
Support teams (both internally and externally) to ensure environmental objectives are delivered.
Co-ordinate, manage and chair the A9 Dualling Programme Environmental Working group.
Develop and maintain close links with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including a range of business areas in Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government, alongside liaison with Ministers and senior management.
Promote sustainability throughout the preparation and delivery of the major projects and services.
Support and drive the development and implementation of sustainable practices within our construction contracts and teams.
Support the development of carbon management reporting and other environmental reporting targets for the Directorate.
Support the preparation of briefings and deal with correspondence relating to environmental aspects of the projects within the portfolio, and brief senior staff and Ministers; attending engagements and deputising where necessary.

Qualifications

Candidates must have a suitable degree in an Environmental Compliance/ Management/ Science related subject and be a registered Chartered Environmentalist or equivalent professional qualification. Please ensure you confirm you hold these qualifications in your CV.

Success profile

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.

Experience

Experience of developing and/or providing advice in relation to Environmental Impact Assessments and/ or Environmental Management Plans and other environmental documentation.
Experience of working with the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), NatureScot and Historic Environmental Scotland or equivalent authorities to support the design or implementation of major infrastructure projects.
Working knowledge of the relevant environmental legislation and best practice relevant to design and delivery of infrastructure projects.
Experience of working with multi-disciplinary teams to deliver environmental outcomes.

Behaviours

Seeing the Big Picture – Level 3
Changing and Improving – Level 3
Managing a Quality Service – Level 3

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here .

How to apply

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the Qualification requirements and the 4 Experience criteria listed in the Success Profile above.

Please note, for this vacancy we will be carrying out an initial sift based on the following qualification requirement

"The successful candidate must have a suitable degree in an Environmental Compliance/ Management/ Science related subject and be a registered Chartered Environmentalist or equivalent professional qualification." Please ensure you confirm you hold these qualifications in your CV.

Candidates who do not state the above will be sifted out at the initial sift. Only candidates who provide this information will be taken through to the full sift.

Candidates who pass the initial Qualification sift will then be sifted on the 4 Experience criteria. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation where all criteria in the Success Profile above will be tested including the Behaviours.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples 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, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

Assessments are scheduled for w/c 5th October , however this may be subject to change.

Recruitment Principles

As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.

About Us

Transport Scotland is the national transport agency, seeking to deliver a safe, efficient, cost-effective and sustainable transport system for the benefit of the people of Scotland. Transport Scotland is accountable to Parliament and the public through Scottish Ministers, with a budget of around £4 billion per year. Transport is a vital feature of the Scottish Government's focus on increasing sustainable economic growth, and transport investments and policies have major impacts on the economy, people, and the environment.

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.

Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service , working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer .

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules .

Working Pattern

Transport Scotland staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location, and there will be a minimum expectation of visiting each ‘live’ site at least once a month and more frequently during busy periods and particularly environmentally sensitive periods. Being on site counts as an agreed work location. Flexibility will be required for this post as there will be a requirement to attend meetings around Scotland, on occasion requiring overnight stays.

The nature of this post means that you may, on occasion, have to respond to environmental incidents out-with normal working hours, including weekends and public holidays.

Security Checks

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website , and read about the Government Vetting Charter , or about all the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide .

Internal candidates may need to gain higher security clearance than they currently hold if successful in their application.

Equality Statement

We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Sponsorship

Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.

Further Information

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website .
Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
For further information on this vacancy please contact Gemma Patterson by email at [email hidden]
Apply before: 17th September (23:59)