1014-316 Recreation, Access and Paths Officer - D Grade - June 2026

You will contribute to a broad programme of work led by NatureScot’s People and Places Activity aimed at supporting and encouraging access to, enjoyment of, and care for nature and including corporate plan priorities to support more people to reconnect and benefit from nature and to adopt and champion nature positive behaviours in the outdoors. 

A key focus of the post will be to support our work in raising awareness, supporting behaviour changes and developing guidance and advice in respect to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and the responsibilities associated with access rights in Scotland. It will also support the implementation of our outdoor access and recreation priorities included in the new Enjoying Nature and the Outdoors plan. 

The post is based in our People and Places Activity whose work is at the heart of delivering NatureScot’s ambition to reconnect people with nature, encouraging people to enjoy, value and benefit from nature; to protect nature from the adverse impacts of visitors; and to realise the potential to restore nature through place-based approaches that create healthy, climate resilient and nature-rich communities and landscapes. Key areas of work will include:

• Provision of specialist advice on access rights, the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and the integration of access and recreation with other land uses.
• Making the case for paths, outdoor access, recreation and nature connection benefits across multiple policy areas including planning, transport, land-use, tourism, health and economy. 
• Managing the SOAC supporting guidance programme and reporting to the National Access Forum.
• Helping deliver priorities and actions identified in the Enjoying Nature and the Outdoors action plan and the SOAC Behaviour Change programme.
• Providing support and guidance to our National Nature Reserve staff and other teams within NatureScot who manage or have issues or queries associated with outdoor access and visitor management.
• Respond to requests from Scottish Government, access authorities, media and the public for outdoor access advice and visitor management.

• A relevant degree, or equivalent experience, relating to countryside/visitor/outdoor recreation management, the environment and the policy landscape in Scotland for increasing and managing enjoyment and participation in outdoor recreation for multiple benefits.
• A good understanding and some practical experience of the legal framework for outdoor access in Scotland and familiarity with access rights and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. 
• Strong policy analysis skills, with experience of effective project and time management across a busy and varied workload and delivery of quality, fit-for-purpose outputs, to time and budget.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey technical information and advice to different audiences with authority and tact in varied situations (in person, on-line, e-mail etc). 
• Preparing clear and concise briefings, writing papers and supporting the development of guidance and policy.
• An ability to foster good working relationships and demonstrate strong skills and practical experience of partnership working, collaboration and mediation to build consensus and deliver outputs and outcomes.
• A flexible approach, outlook and people skills to be a good team worker, willing to get involved and support others in delivering the required outputs.
• An ability to work under their own initiative and within multi-discipline teams to drive forward tasks and projects at pace.

• An understanding and insight into behaviour change theory and practice and/or the social and economic benefits of outdoor recreation.
• Experience of working as an Access Officer, Access Manager or in an equivalent Access and Recreation role in the public or voluntary sector in Scotland.
• Extensive working knowledge and experience of Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.
• Experience of developing and the practical implementation of Scottish Outdoor Access Code related campaigns and behaviour change activities.

• Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK and resident in Scotland for the duration of the job contract
• To undertake a Disclosure Scotland application.
• Although Gaelic language is not a prerequisite it is a desirable skill in support of our commitment to our Gaelic Language Plan

Before applying for this post;

• Internal applicants should read the Self Service Guide (eRDMS A3155575)
• External applicants should read the Online Job Application Guide 

If you have previously applied for a vacancy with NatureScot you must remove the supporting statement from your profile, before uploading a new version.

External candidates will be invited to interview if we are unable to recruit internally.

Whether working at home or in an office, or travelling to meetings and site visits, as a NatureScot you will contribute to our Net Zero plan, for example through positive carbon travel choices. 

Bridget Jones (bridget.jones@nature.scot) 

recruitment@nature.scot  

Nature is vital to all of us, so it is vital that we are an organisation for all of Scotland. The more diverse NatureScot is, the better we will be in connecting everyone with nature. We particularly encourage applications from people from Minority Ethnic (ME) backgrounds and people with a disability.