This new post of Senior Estates Surveyor would suit someone relatively early in their managerial career with strong Rural Surveying technical knowledge. They will deliver estate management and acquisition/disposal surveying advice across a number of rural-urban fringe reserves across Central Scotland, and rural sites across Loch Lomond, The Trossachs and Tayside.
What's the role about?
You will make a professional contribution towards RSPB's Strategy to 2030 with a view to delivering conservation at a greater scale through collaborations and addressing conservation challenges faced in the Scottish environment.
You will need to take an innovative approach to delivering conservation objectives in a mixed urban/rural environment, with a challenging but varied and rewarding work programme. You will enjoy visiting reserves to provide professional advice to colleagues, minimise risk, and optimise and diversify financial returns.
You will be a motivated and talented individual with working knowledge of the needs of modern Scottish rural-urban fringe and rural land holdings, working with local authorities, Scottish rural and commercial legislation, and land reform issues.
Key activities will include:
Line management of one rural surveyor, setting clear work priorities. Complex 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:
- Granting and renewing existing leases and management agreements for a wide variety of property types including land (SLDTs/MLDTs, grazing lets, sporting, fishing), buildings and offices
- Producing contracts affecting land management (e.g. compliance with grant conditions, legal responsibilities)
- Advising on agricultural matters and farming systems, drafting the RSPB's Basic Payment Scheme, and supporting agri-environment applications
Reserve acquisition - lead on complex negotiations to extend existing natures reserves, establish new reserves, and acquire off-reserve property e.g. the acquisition of offices, workshops, residential properties, via all means of tenure Land and property disposal - carry out the due diligence to lead on complex negotiations to deliver the disposal of land, houses and offices by all means of tenure Project Management - provide professional advice to all relevant RSPB staff as a key member of project teams using the Project Management Framework in respect of complex projects, such as extensive habitat restoration work, arising on and off the RSPB Estate. Risk management - implement the RSPB risk management system to identify, mitigate and manage exposure to legal, financial and reputational risks arising from the RSPB Estate. Assist 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 together with a strong team ethos, share professional expertise, knowledge and information at regular Surveying Dept meetings, and have a clear programme of supporting and paying for CPD. We have a strong administration and co-ordination team who allow the Surveyors to concentrate on delivering the professional work.
Essential qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience:
Corporate member of RICS or other relevant equivalent professional organisation. Significant demonstrable post qualification knowledge and experience of estate management and acquisition/disposal work in the Scottish rural-urban and rural environment and its Scotland specific legislation. Knowledge and experience of project management principles and application. Knowledge and demonstrable experience of line management and leadership skills 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 negotiate complex Area/Regional estate management/acquisition/disposal issues and achieve the required corporate outcomes. Ability to travel widely without the use of public transport. Closing Date: 23:59, Wednesday 12 th April 2023
We are looking to conduct interviews from w/c 17th April 2023.
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 a licenced sponsor. This role is eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship.
The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
No agencies please.