Rural Surveyor – Scotland
Reference: AUG20229689
Location: Flexible in Scotland
Salary: £28,420.00 - £40,854.00 Per Annum
Benefits: Pension, Life Assurance, 26 days Annual Leave

Why work for RSPB as a rural surveyor? Because you get to carry out a full range of private practice work on land of the most significant conservation value, in the most spectacular locations in Scotland!  This is a Permanent role for up to 37.5hrs per week. Full-time or part-time working will be considered, as will candidate location anywhere in Scotland. This position will be dual location working (part office/reserve, and part home).

You will make a professional contribution towards overcoming the conservation challenges faced in the Scottish rural environment, often using groundbreaking techniques. There are targets, objectives and budgets to meet, but you will not have the private practice requirements of time sheets, fee targets or be expected to generate new clients.

You will need to take an innovative approach to delivering conservation objectives, with a challenging but varied, interesting and rewarding work programme.  You will be encouraged to visit reserves to provide professional advice to colleagues, minimise risk and optimise financial returns for the RSPB Scotland nature reserves. You will demonstrate initiative, motivation and flair to spot income opportunities.

You will be a motivated and talented individual who understands the needs of a modern Scottish rural land holding, and has the specialist skills to advise a diverse range of individuals at all levels up to and including Country Director.

Key activities will include:

• Land and property estate management – carry out the due diligence to identify, mitigate and manage the legal, financial and reputational risks on RSPB reserves and 3rd party land. Work includes:
• renewing existing leases and management agreements
• granting leases (eg sporting, fishing, PRTs) and wayleave/servitudes
• advising on agricultural matters and farming systems, issuing grazing lets and SLDTs/MLDTs,
• drafting the RSPB’s Basic Payment Scheme and submitting agri-environment applications,
• applying for felling permissions and issuing felling contracts,
• producing contracts affecting land management (e.g. compliance with grant conditions, legal responsibilities)
• being part of project teams to deliver habitat restoration
• Reserve acquisition work – implement the RSPB UK Acquisition Strategy to extend existing natures reserves, establish new reserves, and acquire off-reserve property e.g. the acquisition of offices, workshops, farm buildings, residential properties, by vacant possession/lease or management agreement.
• Land and property disposal – carry out the due diligence to allow the negotiation and disposal of land, houses and offices by sale/lease/servitudes/wayleaves. Risk management – implement the RSPB risk management system to identify, mitigate and manage exposure to legal, financial and reputational risks arising from the use and management of land and buildings. 
• Assisting in the production of Codes of Practice; rolling out elements of the risk management system to end-users including the provision of training and advice and undertaking site audits to ensure compliance.  

You will be part of our Surveying Team of 8 Rural Surveyors in Scotland, plus one building surveyor and a grazing advisor.  We work closely as a team with a strong team ethos, with enthusiasm and dedication. We share professional expertise, knowledge and information at regular Surveying Dept meetings, and have a clear programme of supporting and paying for CPD.

We work throughout Scotland, and maximise opportunities for individuals to use their expertise wherever it is required. We have a strong administration and co-ordination team who allow the Rural Surveyors to concentrate on delivering the professional work, and to see projects through from beginning to end.

Essential qualifications, skills, and experience:

• Corporate member of RICS or other relevant equivalent professional organisation.
• Demonstrable post qualification knowledge of estate management work in the rural environment.
• Demonstrable post qualification knowledge of acquisition/disposal work in the rural environment.
• Knowledge of project management principles and application.
• Ability to communicate in plain English, complex estate management issues.
• Ability to communicate verbally, and in writing, to all levels within RSPB and to external audiences.
• Ability to make quick, pragmatic, reasoned and practical decisions / recommendations / alternatives based upon sound analysis and reason.
• Ability to positively influence wider audiences and demonstrate credibility both internally and externally.
• Ability to negotiate and achieve the required corporate outcomes.
• Ability to work alone and as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Ability to manage oneself to prioritise high volume competing objectives.
• Ability to travel widely without the use of public transport.
• Demonstrable post qualification experience of estate management work in the rural environment.
• Demonstrable post qualification experience of acquisition/disposal work in the rural environment.
• Experience of project management principles and application.

Additional Information

• This is a Permanent role for up to 37.5hrs per week.
• Full-time or part-time working will be considered, as will candidate location anywhere in Scotland.
• This position will be dual location working (part office/reserve, and part home).

Closing date: 23:59, Monday 26th September 2022
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 4th Oct 2022.

For further information please contact robbin.mitchell@rspb.org.uk

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