CATS Evaluation Panel Non-Executive Adviser

FLS was established as an executive agency of the Scottish Government in 2019. Although relatively new, we have over 100 years of experience in looking after the national forests and land as prior to the devolution of forestry we were formerly part of the Forestry Commission.

We are responsible for looking after approx. 9% of Scotland’s land area (640,000ha) that incorporates some of Scotland’s most beautiful and historic landscapes, sustainable commercial forests, open habitat and designated land.

Scotland's national forests and land deliver significant economic, environmental and social benefits. Each year we sustainably produce around 3 million cubic metres of timber, support thousands of jobs across the forestry and rural economy, facilitate renewable energy development, manage important habitats and provide opportunities for recreation, tourism, agriculture and community use

FLS plays an important role in addressing Scotland's climate and biodiversity challenges through sustainable forest management, woodland creation, peatland restoration and habitat conservation. We also welcome millions of visitors each year to forests, trails and visitor destinations across the country, helping support the health, wellbeing and prosperity of communities

Today, Scotland's national forests and land are managed as a productive, environmental and community resource. Through long-term stewardship and engagement with communities, partners and stakeholders, we seek to balance economic, social and environmental outcomes for the benefit of current and future generations

Further information, including details of our Corporate and Business Plans, can be found on our website at the following link: About Forestry and Land Scotland , FLS

As a member of the CATS Evaluation Panel, you will:

• Provide independent and impartial advice to Forestry and Land Scotland on statutory and non-statutory applications to CATS
• Review and evaluate Asset Transfer Requests and associated supporting information.
• Engage positively in Panel discussions, contributing expertise, constructive challenge and independent judgement, to agree a collective recommendation to FLS.
• Assess proposals against the aims of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, taking account of community benefits, viability, impacts and equal opportunities considerations.
• Contribute to recommendations which support decision-making by the Chief Executive of Forestry and Land Scotland.
• Undertake occasional site visits to locations which are the subject of Asset Transfer Requests.
• Provide insight and expertise in relation to renewable energy and onshore wind proposals, including those associated with the Community Access to Wind Repowering Pilot.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Please see our recruitment portal for further details.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.