In addition to this further information you should have the following:-
· Application pack including Diversity Monitoring form and a Referee Information Form.
Please ensure that you complete all sections of the application pack and that you return by the date shown on the advert. We will be unable to consider your application if all sections are not fully completed.
Brief Outline: -
We have a Deer Officer vacancy in our Deer Commission based in Inverness.
This post is permanent and pensionable.
Candidates with a disability who meet the minimum essential criteria will be invited to assessment centre..
Applications from people wishing to work alternative working patterns will be considered.
Divisional Information
We have several exciting opportunities to join the Deer Commission for Scotland. DCS is the Scottish Government's advisor on wild deer issues. The Deer Commission for Scotland was constituted by the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996. It is a Non Departmental Public Body charged with furthering the conservation, control and sustainable management of wild deer in Scotland, and to keep under review all matters, including welfare, relating to deer. The Deer Commission for Scotland comprises 24 members of staff employed by the Scottish Government.
The Job/Duties & Responsibilities
This post is responsible for delivering DCS work across the Central Belt, the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, and Fife, and for helping to develop new policy, particularly relating to roe and sika deer, and public safety. Specifically leading DCS support for collaborative deer management in South Scotland through provision of advice to local deer management groups; Leading on the sustainable management of roe deer in South Scotland; Leading the further development of DCS policy on deer and public safety; Leading the development of new models for the management of deer through recreational stalking; Coordinating the development of DCS policy on the management of peri-urban deer.
Essential Minimum Criteria
Educational Qualifications and Experience
You must have a relevant degree in biological or land uses science; however equal weighting will be given to practical experience and knowledge. If you have a degree post graduate employment in this area is desirable.
Before applying, please ensure that you have these (or equivalent) educational qualifications. Applicants without them will not be considered for appointment. If you are in any doubt about your qualifications, please ask for our advice before you apply. Before offering you an appointment we will require to see your original certificates.
Essential Criteria
The below criteria are essential requirements for these posts:
· You must have good communication skills. You should be able to communicate with both internal colleagues and external stakeholders.
· You must be able to organise and prioritise your workload with minimum supervision
· You should have experience of working in a similar environment and a good knowledge of Scotland land use issues.
· You must have good IT skills including database and spreadsheet management
· You must have a full valid driving licence.
Desirable Criteria
The below criteria are desirable for these posts but not essential:
· Ideally you will be familiar with Geographical Information Software
· You should have practical deer management experience
· Knowledge and experience of habitat Assessment Techniques would also be an advantage.
Referees
You are required to include details of two referees to cover a 5 year period, if appropriate, on a separate sheet which forms part of the application form. One should be your current or most recent employer; the second is likely to be a previous employer. If you have not been in previous employment (or cannot provide a second employment reference) and have undertaken relevant further education, you can give the name of the academic staff best acquainted with your work and conduct. You can give more than one name if this is necessary in order to cover the period of such education. Please note we will request factual information from your employment referees such as dates employed, last position held, reason for leaving and details of work performance ratings, sick absence records and disciplinary records (if any). Academic referees will be asked to provide details of your course work, result achieved or expected, and the referee's impression of your ability in relation to your course work and future career potential.
Please do not send testimonials.
If your application is successful, we will write to your referees, provided you have given permission to approach them. If you have not given permission, we will contact you before any referee is approached. By signing your application you are giving consent for us to obtain the information as outlined above.
Salary (pro rata for part-time)
The salary range is £21,292 to £28,520. Starting salary will normally be at the minimum of the range, although a higher level may be offered for exceptional candidates whose skills, knowledge and/or experience are considered to be particularly relevant and are evident in the selection recess. Future pay progression will be dependent upon performance.
Salary is paid on the last day of the month by credit transfer.
Pension
Unless you choose otherwise we offer you the opportunity to join the Civil Service pension arrangements, which include a valuable range of benefits. We will make substantial employer contributions towards your Civil Service pension.
Retirement
The Scottish Government has a "no retirement age" policy for staff in Bands A-C. This means that you are free to continue in employment for as long as you wish. Continued employment will remain subject to the normal rules concerning performance, conduct and attendance.
Working Pattern
The normal working week is a 5 day week of 42 hours, including lunch intervals. You may have the scope to participate in the Executive's flexible working hour's scheme. Consideration will be given to candidates interested in part-time or other non-standard working patterns and in-line with best practice, the Scottish Executive has extended to all staff the right to request a flexible working pattern. All requests will be seriously considered.
Annual Leave (pro rata for part-time)
You will have an annual leave allowance of 25 days, rising to 30 days after 10 years. In addition, all staff receive 10½ days public and privilege holidays taken at fixed times of the year
Probation
You will be required to serve a probationary period of 9 months and confirmation of your appointment is dependent on the satisfactory completion of this probation period.
Travelling and Subsistence
Subsistence allowances and travelling expenses on official duty are paid. The cost of normal daily travel between home and office is not reimbursable.
Security
The Scottish Executive requires security checks on all successful candidates and due to the implementation of the Part V, Police Act 1997, and a new system of disclosing criminal history information has been introduced. Successful candidates will be required to produce a Basic Disclosure certificate less than 12 months old, prior to taking up employment. Basic Disclosure certificates are available from Disclosure Scotland, Disclosure Scotland, PO Box 250, Glasgow, G51 1YU, telephone: 0870 609 6006, Fax: 0870 609 6996, E-mail:info@disclosurescotland.co.uk and will cost you £20.00 Further information on Disclosure certificates can be found at the Disclosure Bureau's website www.disclosurescotland.co.uk
Nationality
You must be a UK or other European Economic Area national, a Commonwealth citizen, a British Protected Person or a citizen of British Dependent Territories.
Health Standard
You will be asked to complete a health declaration and, if necessary, to attend a medical examination.
Sick Absence
You may be allowed up to 6 months sick absence on full pay, less any National Insurance benefit received, in any period of 12 months. After that, a further period may be granted at reduced pay, subject to a maximum of 12 months sick absence in any period of 4 years or less.
Outside Activities
As a civil servant, you may not take part in any activity which would in any way impair your usefulness to the Service, or engage in any occupation which may conflict with the interests of the Scottish Executive or be inconsistent with your official position. Subject to these conditions, work of a minor or short-term nature (for example, vacation work or work after hours) is normally allowed, provided you seek prior permission.
You will also be subject to certain restrictions, depending on your grade and the nature of your work, on national and local political activities. These include standing as a candidate in parliamentary or local authority elections, or canvassing on behalf of candidates; and expressing views on matters of political controversy in public speeches or publications. Application
Your completed application form including diversity monitoring form must be returned to:- Hazel.Currington@scotland.gsi.gov.uk - alternatively paper copies can be sent to the Scottish Executive, Central Resourcing Unit, S1 Spur (DC4569EXTA), Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh, EH11 3XD, to arrive no later than the date on the application form. Without these documents we will not be able to consider your application.
All online application forms will be acknowledged via email. If you return your application form by post and require confirmation of receipt, please enclose a self addressed, stamped envelope. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within 3 days please contact Hazel Currington on 0131-244- 3963.
Information given on the diversity monitoring form will be treated in strictest confidence and will be retained by HR for monitoring purposes. It will be kept separately from your application form and will not be made available to those involved in the selection decision. Guidance on the Diversity Monitoring Form and why we ask you to complete it is available on our website http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Recruitment/DiversityGuidance
Selection
Candidates who, from the information they provide in their application forms, appear best suited to this appointment will be invited to assessment centre. It is thus essential for your application form to give full but concise descriptions of the nature, extent and level of the responsibilities you have held.
The interviews will probably be held in November. Those applicants who demonstrate they have the necessary skills, knowledge, qualifications and experience will be invited to interview. As part of the interview, candidates may be asked to give a short presentation on a specific subject. The Panel will recommend the candidate considered most suitable for appointment. If successful, you will be expected to take up post as soon as possible.
If you are successful, and are not currently a serving member of the Civil Service, we will carry out enquiries into your nationality, health and other matters, to ensure that you are qualified for appointment. To enable these enquiries to be completed, we may need to see your original birth certificate and/or passport, as well as your educational certificates. When the enquiries are completed satisfactorily, we will then make you a formal offer of appointment. You will be expected to take up appointment as soon as possible
Disability
We are participants in the Employment Services "Positive about Disability" scheme. Under the terms of the scheme we shall interview applicants with a disability who satisfy the basic criteria for appointment. A guaranteed interview will only be given where an applicant has declared a disability on the diversity monitoring form.
To find out more about Disability in the Civil Service, you can access our Disability Fact Sheet at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Recruitment/DisabilityFactsheet
Text phone
If you have textphone equipment, please ring our dedicated line: 0131-244 1829. Please do not use this number for voice calls as your call will not connect.
Interview Expenses
Travel and subsistence expenses incurred during the selection process are the responsibility of the applicant.
Please note that this memorandum is provided for information only and does not form part of the conditions of employment
The Scottish Executive's Aim Vision and Values
AIM
To work with Scottish Ministers to improve the well being of Scotland and its people.
VISION
To be at the centre of Scottish civic life, widely trusted, by earning a reputation for openness, helpfulness, expertise and effectiveness.
VALUES
As Civil Servants our values are:
Integrity and honesty
Objectivity
political impartiality
fairness
Scottish Executive Equal Opportunities Policy
The Scottish Executive policy on equal opportunities is that all staff should be treated equally irrespective of their sex, marital status, age, race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief, working pattern, employment status, gender identity (transgender), caring responsibility, or trade union membership.
Scottish Executive Diversity Policy
The Scottish Executive is committed to increasing the diversity of staff within the organisation. We will develop all our staff, ignoring all irrelevant differences in their management and development. Furthermore we will positively value the different perspectives and skills of all staff and make full use of these in our work.
An Investor in People