Current opportunities

Working at Forestry and Land Scotland is all about ‘People, Pride and Purpose.’ Join us and take pride in supporting the economy, protecting and enhancing the environment by managing Scotlands National forests and land. 

The planning and environment teams work closely with other teams and specialists to design sustainable forests of the future. Our forests and land deliver multiple benefits, often within the same space. Forest Liaison Officers (FLOs) play a key role in helping us realise renewable energy potential, bringing it together with our other objectives to deliver diverse and integrated land management. 

As a Forest Liaison Officer (FLO), you will be the main point of contact between an FLS Regional team, the national Renewables team, and developers and their contractors on day-to-day issues  
regarding these projects. 

To be successful in this role you will possess experience of building strong working relationships with colleagues and a wide range of external stakeholders and regulators;  

For more information please see the Job Description & Success Profile

We’re looking for an Environment Ranger to join our Central Region Planning & Environment team. You’ll be based out of our Glenbranter Office in the Cowal District.

Our Planning & Environment teams play a vital role in protecting and enhancing Scotland’s national forests and land. They oversee a wide range of designated sites, scheduled monuments, and priority habitats, working closely with planners and delivery teams to ensure land management activities are sustainable and environmentally responsible. Through surveys, monitoring and specialist advice, the team contributes to biodiversity conservation, habitat protection and informed decision-making across the national forest estate.

As an Environment Ranger, you will play a key role in delivering a broad range of ecological survey, monitoring and reporting activities. This is a varied, field-based role with a strong focus on gathering baseline data ahead of forestry operations to identify and protect environmental features. You’ll undertake surveys for protected and priority species, support the monitoring of designated sites such as SSSIs and scheduled monuments, and contribute to the design of mitigation plans. You’ll also assist with data management, reporting and basic mapping using systems such as ForesterWeb and ArcMap, and provide advice to colleagues to help ensure work is carried out in line with environmental legislation and best practice.

To be successful, you’ll have knowledge of the legislative requirements relating to protected and priority species, along with experience of undertaking species surveys and designing mitigation plans. You should be confident working independently in outdoor environments, with the fitness and resilience to operate across uneven terrain and in challenging weather conditions.

Strong organisational, communication and decision-making skills are essential, as is the ability to plan and deliver surveys effectively. Experience working with species such as badger, red squirrel, otter and water vole is important, alongside an understanding of breeding bird ecology. GIS or mapping skills, protected species licences, or a specialist ecological focus would be advantageous.

Please click here to view the full list of benefits of working for us.

If this sounds like a role you’re interested in, we’d encourage you to apply with your CV and a supporting statement – please ensure you provide evidence of the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the attached job description and success profile document.

We’re looking for a Forester to join our South Region Land Management delivery team. You’ll be based in Straiton, South Ayrshire.

Our Land Management teams play a vital role in caring for Scotland’s national forests and land, helping us manage around 9% of the country’s land area. The South Region spans a diverse landscape across southern Scotland, delivering large‑scale forestry programmes including timber production, restocking and woodland creation, while also supporting biodiversity, conservation and recreation. Through this work, the team contributes to climate change mitigation, sustainable land use and thriving local communities.

As a Forester, you will play a key role in delivering a wide variety of forest management and stewardship activities. This is a dynamic role where you’ll plan and manage programmes of work including restocking, forest maintenance and woodland creation. You’ll oversee the delivery of operational work by contractors and teams, manage budgets and ensure health, safety and wellbeing standards are met. You’ll also contribute to the maintenance of recreational facilities and trails, working collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders to deliver high‑quality, sustainable outcomes across your area.

To be successful, you’ll have experience in forestry or a related land management field, along with the ability to plan and prioritise work effectively both independently and within a team. Strong communication skills and a proactive, solution‑focused approach are essential, as is confidence using IT systems. You should be motivated to develop your skills and knowledge, with either a relevant forestry qualification (or working towards one) or equivalent transferable experience. Experience in forestry operations, contract management or health and safety is desirable, along with a passion for environmental outcomes and tackling climate change.

Please click here to view the full list of benefits of working for us.

If this sounds like a role you’re interested in, we’d encourage you to apply with your CV and covering letter – please ensure you provide evidence of the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the attached job description and success profile document.

We’re looking for an Agriculture Estate Manager to join our Estate Development team within the Commercial Development Directorate. This national role is based in Edinburgh or Inverness, with flexibility to be based at another Forestry and Land Scotland office by agreement and travel throughout Scotland as part of the role.

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages around 9% of Scotland’s land area, playing a vital role in the country’s environmental, social and economic wellbeing. Alongside forestry, approximately 25,000 hectares of Scotland’s national forests and land are managed for agriculture through a diverse portfolio of agricultural tenancies and agreements. As we deliver our Agriculture Programme, we are seeking an experienced agricultural professional to help shape the future of agricultural land management across the national estate.

As an Agriculture Estate Manager, you will play a leading role in further developing, implementing and managing FLS’s Agriculture Programme. Working within the national Estate Development team, you will coordinate the delivery of strategic agricultural objectives, oversee agricultural asset and agreement management delivered regionally, manage programme budgets and support the development of long-term asset management plans for equipped farms. You will also act as the organisation’s agriculture specialist, providing expert advice across FLS and working with colleagues across various functions including planning and environment, managing key stakeholder relationships and representing FLS with external partners including Scottish Government and industry groups.

To be successful, you’ll bring substantial agricultural knowledge and experience, together with a strong understanding of agricultural agreements, asset management and the application of agricultural and land reform legislation in Scotland. You’ll have experience managing budgets, developing effective landlord and tenant relationships, and engaging confidently with a wide range of stakeholders. Strong communication, influencing and negotiation skills are essential, along with the ability to think strategically and deliver outcomes through collaboration. A degree (or equivalent) in agriculture or a related subject, or equivalent relevant experience, is required. Experience of programme or project management, integrated land management, farm asset planning, GIS systems or relevant professional membership would be advantageous.

Please click here to view the full list of benefits of working for us.

If this sounds like a role you’re interested in, we’d encourage you to apply with your CV and covering letter. Please ensure you provide evidence of the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the attached job description and success profile document.