WOODLAND OFFICER - EASTERN KENT

Location: London (region), South East England

About the job

Never has there been a more important time for trees and forests to help tackle the climate emergency and provide a much-needed sanctuary for people and wildlife. Our government are committed to creating 30,000 hectares of woodland a year across the UK, of which 7,500 ha per year are anticipated to be in England, by the end of this Parliament. This acceleration in current planting rates in England will contribute to meeting the net-zero by 2050 ambitions, and to government’s wider environmental targets.

This was supported by the announcement in the 2021 budget of £640m for a new Nature for Climate Fund ‘to support natural habitats like woodland and peat’ and the publication of the England Tree Action Plan.

By joining the Forestry Commission, you will become part of a team of passionate, committed colleagues, and be able to build on a wealth of expertise to take this ambitious work forward. You will be able to make your mark by helping the Forestry Commission to revolutionise how we work together and reach new stakeholders.

Job description

We are seeking dynamic individuals with experience in forestry and/or land management, who are quick to learn and inspire and enthuse others.

The Woodland Officer role can be seen as the ‘face’ of the Forestry Commission to landowners, managers and stakeholders. Each Woodland Officer has their own geographic area of primary responsibility, enabling them to develop a strategic view of the local landscape, a network of local stakeholders and understanding of the challenges and opportunities.

In your ‘patch’, you will be at the forefront of delivering the Forestry Commission’s incentives and Regulations, and able to provide advice and support to the private forestry sector in addition to Local Authorities and Defra colleagues. Internal team working is also integral in the Woodland Officer role, for example across the Area Team (e.g. assisting others in ‘alleged unlicensed felling’ investigations) and the wider Forestry Commission (e.g. opportunity for review of national guidance and procedure). Through both, you will have the ability to assist the Forestry Commission build strong working relationships to help create and manage diverse, resilient multi-purpose woodlands.

The substantive office will be Bedgebury. If you live within that area then you have the opportunity to work in a blended manner directly from your home, once you have become fully established in the role.

When fully established we would expect you to spend 1-2 days per week in Bedgebury. If your home lies outwith your work area you will be expected to travel to your work area or Bedgebury in your own time and cost.

Responsibilities
Expand Woodland Cover:

• Champion the multiple benefits of new woodland as business opportunities for land owner and as natural capital (including biodiversity, water quality, flood management, carbon sequestration/substitution, etc) for the wider environment and society;
• facilitate the design and delivery of new woodlands optimising the benefits they can deliver to the owner and as natural capital;
• administer the forestry Regulations relating to woodland creation (Environmental Impact Assessment); and
• administer/process applications for grants.

Protect our existing trees and woodlands:

• Administer Forestry Regulations to include:i. Forestry Act – Felling Licences to ensure tree felling is carried out legally in accordance with the principles of the UK Forestry Standard as appropriate; ii. Environmental Impact Assessments – afforestation, deforestation, forest roads and forest quarries, and iii. Habitats Regulations – re forest operations within Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation;
• Advise on the links with other legislation such as those pertaining to European Protected Species; and
• Provide specialist advice to planning authorities re the impact of proposals on existing woodland and how new trees and woodland could be used to enhance new developments.

Improve the condition and resilience of our existing woodlands and wider treescape:

• Champion the benefits of actively managed woodland;
• Support woodland owners and managers in responding to key challenges of pests and diseases including Chalara ash dieback, Phytophthora ramorum, deer and grey squirrels;
• Work to increase resilience within woodlands to the challenges of a changing climate; and - facilitate closer working across the forestry sector – for instance between markets, contractors, managers, etc.

Engaging partners, stakeholders and the public:

• Encourage, enthuse and support key partners and stakeholders to help facilitate the expansion, protection and improvement of our woodlands and treescape; and
• champion the many values of trees and woodland to the wider public helping them understand and appreciate the importance and values of active management.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL
•Forestry or land management based degree (or equivalent qualification) and / or significant forestry or land management experience.
Please clearly demonstrate how the above applies to you throughout your application. Failure to do so will mean that your application is automatically sifted out.
• Good interpersonal and influencing skills demonstrating the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal colleagues and our customers.
• Ability to prioritise and manage a varied workload.
• Good computer skills with experience of MS Office and Excel.
• Ability to proactively deal with complex and contentious issues relating to people and woodland interests, leading to the delivery of project outcomes and development of work areas as necessary.

DESIRABLE:
• Experience of practical woodland management.
• Experience and knowledge of forestry regulations, incentives and tree health.
• Experience of promoting, designing and establishing new woodland.
• Experience of working in partnership across delivery organisations.
• Experience in facilitating market growth in the forestry sector.
• Experience of supporting integrated land / woodland management.
• Practitioner level understanding of landscape.
• Membership of (or working towards) a relevant professional institute (e.g. Institute of Chartered Foresters).
• Evidence of maintaining Continuous Professional Development.

Benefits
• A Civil Service pension
• A range of family friendly benefits
• An environment with flexible working options
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment
• A range of wellbeing benefits including discounted Civil Service Healthcare, access to an Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, Bike to Work Scheme, plus many more.
• 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 after 5 years service, plus 10.5 bank holidays/privilege days (pro rata)
• Ability to buy or sell 2 days annual leave
• 3 days volunteering per year (pro rata)

Salary: £31,973- £34,650
To apply, please visit here.

Tel: Not Specified | E-mail: Not Specified
Web: www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk | Closing Date: Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 18th September 2022

(Uploaded 19/8/22)

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