GIS Survey Technician

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is looking for enthusiastic, practical, creative people to join our East Region planning and environment team to help shape the future of Scotland’s forests and land. We’re responsible for managing 9% of Scotland – and it’s not just forests, it’s coasts, mountains, farmland, peatlands, varied habitats and recreation sites.
The planning and environment team works closely with other teams and specialists to design the forests of the future, protect and restore semi-natural habitats, respond to climate change and enhance our landscapes. They prepare spatial plans and work programmes; coordinate and manage data and surveys, and contribute to national initiatives and projects to ensure the public land is well cared for.
These posts are located in Huntly, Newton or Dunkled. We live and work in iconic – or sometimes spectacular but lesser known – landscapes, often with great access to outdoor activities, but never that far from major towns, either. See more about where we live and work., As part of the East region planning team, your primary role will be to supervise and quality assure production survey contracts and contractors, provide key information to the programme manager, which will aid in the creation of harvesting programmes and improve the accuracy of the sub-compartment database.
Working alongside the regional GIS technician, you will, amongst other tasks, aid in the upkeep and improvement of the sub-compartment database, produce maps for work plans, provide GIS support to other team members.
You will also lead on plant health issues, carrying out tree health surveys and update other staff members on current issues and threats.

Essential:
• Experience and willingness to work outdoors in all weathers.
• Ability to plan and self-manage time and workloads.
• Experience of working with multi-disciplinary teams
• Experience and knowledge of basic GIS skills e.g. managing layers, producing shapefiles, producing maps, SCDB editing.
Desirable:
• Experience and knowledge of forest mensuration techniques and surveys.
• Experience and knowledge of current tree health issues.
• Ability and willingness to adapt to change.
• Experience managing and supervising contracts and contractors.
• Experience and knowledge of relevant forest operations, forest management or land management
Technical
Essential:
• Competent in the use of Microsoft office software
Desirable:
• Experience in Surveys preferably mensuration, establishment and tree health.
• Competent user of Geographical Information Systems, Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

+ Learning and development tailored to your role
+ An environment with flexible working options
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
+ A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%