ASSISTANT AREA LAND AGENT (South & Central Scotland)

Job Reference: REQ0432
Salary: £36,698 - £39,522 (Pay Review pending)

Post 1 Central, West Calder or Aberfoyle
Post 2 South Region, Newton Stewart or Dumfries

Contract type: Permanent
Working pattern: These are full time vacancies, based on a 37 hour week

We’re a flexible employer and encourage applicants who wish to work a flexible working pattern to apply - all requests will be considered.

Nationality Requirements
It’s essential you have the right to work in the UK before applying to work with us, as we’re currently unable to offer sponsorship.

You’ll also need to meet the requirements of the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Disability Confident Scheme
If you apply under the Disability Confident Scheme, you’ll be invited for interview/assessment, so long as you meet any elements of ‘Experience’ or ‘Technical’ marked as essential in the Success Profile.

About the team
Forestry & Land Scotland (FLS) is an agency of the Scottish Government. We are responsible for managing Scotland’s national forests and land on behalf of the Scottish Ministers.

This is an exciting time for FLS as we implement new business sustainability initiatives which encompass all of our key areas of activity and are aimed at ensuring FLS delivers its Vision: “forests and land that Scotland can be proud of”.

The Estate Development (ED) team is tasked with leading on non-forestry commercial activities through the delivery of diversified income streams throughout the national forests and land to support FLS long-term business sustainability. In fulfilling this role, ED manages a wide range of commercial activity including renewable energy developments, communication masts, mineral extraction, residential property, agricultural leases and the acquisition and disposal of land. These activities generate an annual gross revenue income of circa (c) £16 million and ED has a remit to grow this further.

In contributing to the overall asset management of Scotland’s national forests and land, ED works and collaborates with colleagues within other FLS functions, in particular with the Land Management team and the Finance team. Our team of professionals provide specialist property advice and land agency services across the business.

What you will do

Central Region
We are looking to recruit an Assistant Area Land Agent to join our team in Central Region – an area which extends from the Cowal Peninsula in the West through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, and on through the Central Belt to Fife in the East and Ayrshire/Lanarkshire in the South. You will report directly to one of the two Area Land Agents in the Region, working closely with both to meet team objectives. You will be additionally supported by the Land Agency Programme Manager within the ED team.

There is dedicated administration support to the land agency team within the Region as well as local colleagues that the post holder will work with including our building surveyor, foresters, forest planners, civil engineers and our recreation and visitor services staff. The post-holder will also liaise as required with our national team colleagues.

The post will ideally be based in either our West Calder or Aberfoyle Offices but it might be possible to be based elsewhere in the Central Region. This is likely to be a hybrid role along with home working.

The role will involve regular travel across Central Region with occasional visits to other sites and offices. Occasional overnight stays may be required, for example if attending training events.

South Region
We are looking to recruit an Assistant Area Land Agent to join our team in South Region – an area which extends from Arran in the West, through Galloway, Dumfriesshire and into the Scottish Borders. You will report directly to one of the two Area Land Agents in the Region, working closely with both to meet team objectives. You will be additionally supported by the Land Agency Programme Manager within the ED team.

There is dedicated administration support to the land agency team within the Region as well as local colleagues that the post holder will work with including our building surveyor, foresters, forest planners, civil engineers and our recreation and visitor services staff. The post-holder will also liaise as required with our national team colleagues.

The post will ideally be based in either our Newton Stewart or Dumfries Offices, as it will be predominantly focused on supporting the West of the Region but it might be possible to be based elsewhere in the South Region. This is likely to be a hybrid model, along with home working if desired.

The role will involve regular travel across South Region with occasional visits to other sites and offices. Occasional overnight stays may be required, for example if attending training events.

Main Duties

• Support the Area Land Agents in the effective management of the let estate and portfolio of agreements, servitudes and wayleaves.
• Under direction and support of the Area Land Agent, negotiate and complete new agreements, licences, wayleaves, servitudes, and small sales; collaborating with the internal specialist teams and stakeholders and appointing and managing external consultants as appropriate.
• Following title registration, provide support, working collaboratively with regional teams in identifying and rectifying title anomalies.

Professional Services
• Provide professional rural surveying services as directed and supported by the Area Land Agent, including:
• Small rationalisation sales and excambions (e.g. boundary adjustments) and assist the Acquisition and Disposals team on larger cases as required.
• Work with the Area Land Agent to identify and negotiate heads of claims for compensation events arising from utility projects and other 3rd party agreements on the estate, appointing and managing external consultants as appropriate.
• Dispute resolution with tenants and neighbours working to maintain relationships whenever possible. Manage liability claims, understanding where circumstances fall outside your own skills and experience.

Specific Projects and Initiatives
• Lead and support specific projects and initiatives at Regional and Organisational level as required working collaboratively with other teams, partners and stakeholders.

Finance Management
Support the Area Land Agent on Estate Development finance and business planning at regional level.
• Rent and debt management.
• Identify opportunities for enhancing income and reducing costs.

Support Staff Management
• Collaborate effectively with support staff to facilitate delivery of all key work areas recognising the importance of team work and relationship management.

Success Profile
The Success Profile below set outs the essential and desirable elements that make up the vacant position - you’ll be expected to demonstrate how you meet the Experience and Technical criteria at application and interview stage. Any Behaviours will be assessed at interview stage.

Experience

Essential:
• Experience of rural surveying or land agency with a practical understanding of Scots Law.
• Ability to analyse, interpret and resolve problems and to develop and implement practical solutions.
• Ability to interpret legal documentation and other data sources to give reasoned competent advice.
• Excellent communication skills with an ability to build and maintain effective and supportive relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

Desirable:
• Practical understanding of sustainable and integrated asset management.
• An understanding of the tools and principles of project management and their application.
• Experience of working on significant renewable and utility infrastructure projects.
• Experience of sustainable forest and land management with an understanding of Scottish Government policies and priorities relevant to the management of the Scotland’s national forests and land.

Technical

Essential:
• A working understanding of Scots Law and its application to the management of Scotland’s Forests and Land.
• Full professional membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS or FRICS) or a commitment to work towards chartered status within a set period.
• A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages including Word and Excel.

Desirable:
• A degree in Rural Estate Management or equivalent land-based qualification.
• An understanding of Scottish Government policies and priorities relevant to the management of Scotland’s forests and land.
• Ability to use GIS and other IT systems that support property and asset management.

Behaviours
Behaviour 1 and Lead Criteria: Working Together
Behaviour 2: Communicating and Influencing
Behaviour 3: Delivering at Pace
Behaviour 4: Making Effective Decisions

Driving licence
This role requires you to have a full UK driving licence, however we’re willing to consider any proposals that would allow you to do the job by other means.

Travel
As this role involves working with colleagues across the region, there will be regular travel involved, which may include overnight stays away from home.

What we offer you
If successful, you’ll be entitled to a wide range of benefits.

Additional information
We believe it’s important to create an inclusive and supportive work culture and we welcome applications from everyone, regardless of background.

Further Information
If you have any questions about this post, please email: Raymond.mundie@forestryandland.gov.scot

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, or require any adjustments, please email resourcing@forestryandland.gov.scot

Apply link: ce0452li.webitrent.com