Assistant Rural Surveyor

Reference: JAN20257570

Location: Flexible in Scotland

Salary: £29,200.00 - £37,789.00 Per Annum

Benefits: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 26 days' Annual Leave (Pro-Rata)

Attachments: RSPBCandidateGuidanceNotes-2025.pdf

The RSPB has an opportunity for an Assistant Rural Surveyor in Scotland to join our team of rural surveyors, building surveyor, land management support specialist and livestock & grazing advisor. You will advise and support our staff on RSPB's Scottish nature reserves and in other departments, guided and supervised by a rural surveyor. This diverse and fascinating role is to help the effective management of land for nature conservation while reducing risk to the Society and optimising financial returns. The successful candidate will be supported to gain their Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) professional membership. This role is based at home within the Scottish mainland.

Key Responsibilities

Land and Property Management: carry out due diligence to identify, mitigate and manage legal, reputational and financial risks of managing rural land and property. Working on leases for grazing and housing, licences, wayleaves and servitudes.
Acquisitions & disposals: Assisting with the appraisal, negotiation and conclusion of acquisitions & disposals of land, property and rights.
Risk management and project support: Support the development and implementation of systems.
Team working: contribute to the team ethos, sharing expertise and knowledge.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

A relevant surveying degree accredited by RICS awarded by the start date of appointment OR have a relevant degree followed 5 years of relevant experience;
Eligible to be a candidate for the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence for rural surveying;
A full UK driving licence;
Knowledge of estate management, acquisition and disposal of land, property and rights;
An understanding of land management grants in Scotland;
Ability to:

-clearly communicate complex issues verbally and in writing;

-promptly make decisions and give clear practical recommendations based upon robust analysis and evidence;

-manage and prioritise competing objectives, work alone and as part of a multi-disciplinary team &

travel widely by car and public transport with occasional overnight stays.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

Knowledge/experience of:

-designations on land to protect wildlife, landscape and the historic environment and their regulation;

-the regulation of the water environment, pollution, agriculture, forestry ---and development through the town & country planning system;

-project management principles and their application;

Ability to:

-positively influence wider audiences in a credible manner;

-negotiate and achieve corporate outcomes;

An awareness of charities legislation.

Additional Information

This is a Permanent Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position in the week commencing 14th April 2025. For further information please contact Mike Wood: mike.wood1@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.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. 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.

Before applying for this role please read through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.

Assistant Rural Surveyor, Flexible within Scotland