Job Description
Role: Countryside Data Officer
Reports to: Senior Nature Conservation Adviser
February 2013
Business Function: Conservation
Services & Projects
Pay Band/Starting Salary: Band D
£20,638 - £21,724
Location: Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh
EH11 4DF. Alternative locations (e.g. The National Trust
Type of Contract: Fixed-term (1
for Scotland office at Balnain House in Inverness) would be year from start date) / full-time
possible.
Terms and conditions
- The post is subject to the standard terms and conditions provided with the application pack.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
To review the biological data management currently ongoing across the Trust, recommend clear
protocols and methods for data management and develop a method for making this information
available more widely.
CONTEXT OF THE ROLE
The National Trust for Scotland has over 100 properties throughout the country ranging from
small town houses through lowland farms and designed landscapes to large estates in the
Highlands.
A system for managing biological information from NTS properties has been built up over the past
3 years involving the Recorder database software and a large amount of data has been transferred
to it. This information derives from commissioned surveys, records submitted by third parties and
observations made by Trust staff. Information can be submitted on Excel spreadsheets prior to
being transferred to Recorder. While most of the outstanding records have been incorporated,
there remains a need to transfer data from recent reports and to investigate outstanding records at
a few properties. The Trust has further committed to make biological data available on-line over
the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) and the first set of records has already been up-loaded
onto NBN. The resulting data are accessible by both NTS staff and the public though public access
has been restricted for a small number of sensitive species.
Further information is available in GIS format from spatial surveys of Trust properties, in
particular vegetation surveys [and footpath surveys] but, with a few notable exceptions, there is no
way of accessing this information except by visiting the property where it is stored. In addition,
much information is in a form that does not allow its efficient use in management decision-making.
The purpose of this position is to manage the existing mechanism for storage of biological
information and to devise an appropriate mechanism for storing GIS information
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Key Purpose of the role will be achieved by the following steps:
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Familiarisation with the existing mechanisms for handling biological information, including
the means for collecting it at different Trust properties, for transferring it to the central
Recorder database and for uploading it to NBN;
Managing this process to ensure the transfer of new data from recent surveys and other
sources to the Recorder database and thence to NBN;
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Reviewing the availability of spatial data and recommending a method of data management
appropriate to the Trust and its individual properties, once agreed, develop its use within
the Trust;
Migrating historical data onto new system, as far as possible within the time available;
Developing and promulgating data management protocols for use in future;
Training and supporting staff in the use of chosen data management system.
The current duties of this job do not require a criminal records (Disclosure Scotland) check to be
carried out.
SCOPE OF ROLE
People Management
No line management will be involved in this role, but the post holder will be expected to liaise with
a wide spectrum of Trust staff in collecting information and recommending new data management
protocols. It may be possible to call on some volunteer assistance for data input, in which case it
will be necessary to manage the volunteers.
Financial Management
No budgetary responsibility but may be expected to use Trust financial systems.
SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
The above outlines the key skills the job holder will need to possess and exercise. In addition, either
knowledge of or experience in the following is required:
Essential
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Be competent user of electronic data management systems such as Access, Recorder or
Mapmate;
Demonstrable experience of designing or planning databases;
Experience with using Geographic Information Systems;
Excellent IT skills (including Microsoft Office software package);
Excellent communication skills combined with the ability to translate technical language to
those not familiar with databases;
Good report writing skills;
Team worker but with ability to work on own initiative to manage own projects;
Excellent time management and organisational skills.
Desirable
 Demonstrable experience of working with biological data;
 Experience of one or more biological data management systems;
 Current full driving licence, valid for driving in the UK.
The Key Responsibilities, Scope of Job, and Required Qualifications, Skills, Experience &
Knowledge reflect the requirements of the job at the time of issue. The Trust reserves the right to
amend these with appropriate consultation and/or request the post-holder to undertake any
activities that it believes to be reasonable within the broad scope of the job or his/her general
abilities.
Applications
Interested applicants should forward a completed application form to Human Resources
Department (Applications), The National Trust for Scotland, Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road,
Edinburgh, EH11 4DF, by mail or by email via workforus@nts.org.uk, by first post (i.e. 10.00am)
on 29 March 2013. Interviews are likely to be held at the Central Office in Edinburgh during mid
April 2013.