About the job

Job summary

We are Forestry England. We are the country’s largest land manager, caring for the nation’s forests for people, nature and the economy. The foundation of our organisation is our world-class sustainable management of the nation’s forests.

Our four values capture how we work:

• Think beyond a lifetime - We make plans today for a better tomorrow, so our business and our forests are sustainable and fit for the future.
• Be adventurous - We approach challenges with creativity and adventure, embracing research and innovation to stay relevant.
• Do it together - We get our best results when we work with others, and we encourage diverse perspectives, so we make better decisions.
• Look out and look after - We care about our colleagues, volunteers, partners, and customers, and we take a stand against unsafe behaviour.

Alongside our traditional timber production the District:

• offers recreational opportunities for people to enjoy dozens of beautiful woodlands;
• protects and enhances valuable habitats for the benefit of wildlife; and
• delivers economic growth by supporting local businesses and rural employment.

We’re looking for an Assistant Land Agent to be part of a team that delivers the professional support and advice associated with a such diverse rural estate.

The role will be primarily based in the New Forest and Wareham covering a unique mix of woodlands and open habitats that are globally important for nature conservation. 

The New Forest in particular is a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Protection Area (SPA), a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and a Ramsar site (land listed as a Wetland of International Importance). These protections mean that we have important conservation obligations and there are legal limits on the amount and types of activities and events that can take place here.

Forestry England manages 47% of the New Forest National Park, including much of the best-known ancient woodlands, wetlands and heathlands which are home to many rare species of plants and wildlife. 

In the New Forest, Forestry England offers different rental opportunities across our residential portfolio for our own staff and local people, including Commoners. As a public body, Forestry England must ensure that we are demonstrating appropriate financial management of the public assets in its care, including its housing portfolio.

Job description

The Assistant Land Agent will work within the Estates Team to deliver professional property advice across the District. As one of four land agents within a district team of 160 people you will be advising forest operations and recreation teams on a wide range of legal and estate management matters. A strong collaborative approach to land management issues will be an important part of this role.

The successful applicant with need to be solution orientated, capable of working independently as well as with a wide range of stakeholders and partners such as landlords, tenants, members of the public, external consultants and statutory bodies.

You will help to identify and develop new opportunities across the estate, making a real contribution to our economic, social and environmental objectives.

Key Work Areas

Deliver a professional estate management service to maximise the potential of a range of commercially let and in hand property.

Manage the landlord/tenant relationship to complete efficient and timely rent reviews, lease renewals and new lettings on sporting agreements, recreational sites, cottages and grazing agreements.

Investigate and protect the Forestry Commission’s interests in relation to access, encroachments, boundary disputes and claims. Improve the financial and environmental sustainability of the Estate.

Interpret leases from both a landlord and tenant’s perspective and offer sound professional advice to colleagues.

The post holder will be required to be included in the out of hours Duty Officer roster (covering evenings and weekends).

Person specification

Essential Experience

• You will be working as a Rural or General Practice Surveyor and if not qualified working towards your MRICS status.
• Ability to analyse complex and unusual estate management issues and develop detailed solutions to ensure best value.
• Experience of negotiating contract terms, acting on behalf of either a landlord or tenant.
• Experience of leading rent reviews on residential, commercial or agricultural properties.
• Valuation experience across a variety of property types and for a range of purposes.
• Experience of line managing staff.
• Competent user of MS Office - in particular Excel, Word and Outlook.

Desirable Experience

• Demonstrable experience of anticipating and communicating risks associated with the use of land and buildings.
• Knowledge of GIS systems.
• Experience of managing budgets effectively.
• Previous experience and knowledge of land management issues associated with environmentally designated land.

Behaviours

Communicating and Influencing
• Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact.
• Encourage the use of different communication methods, including digital resources and highlight the benefits, including ensuring cost effectiveness.
• Ensure communication has a clear purpose and takes into account people’s individual needs. Share information as appropriate and check understanding.
• Show positivity and enthusiasm towards work, encouraging others to do the same. Ensure that important messages are communicated with colleagues and stakeholders respectfully, taking into consideration the diversity of interests.

Making Effective Decisions
• Understand own level of responsibility and empower others to make decisions where appropriate.
• Analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information from internal and external sources to support decisions.
• Invite challenge and where appropriate involve others in decision making.
• Display confidence when making difficult decisions, even if they prove to be unpopular.
• Consult with others to ensure the potential impacts on end users have been considered.
• Present strong recommendations in a timely manner outlining the consideration of other options, costs, benefits and risks.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,870, Forestry Commission contributes £9,721 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and up to a 1000 words personal statement as follows:

1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.

2. A Personal Statement (no longer than 1000 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable for the role, with reference to the criteria in the Person Specification.

Should a large number of applications be received, the initial sift may be conducted using CV only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the essential experience requirements within the application responses.

Failure to fully complete both sections (CV and Personal Statement) will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification. The panel will look for applications that demonstrate the best fit for the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the job description and responsibilities.

Candidates successful at sift will be invited to a face to face Interview. At interview candidates will be assess on the listed Behaviours, Technical Assessment and Strength based questions. For the technical assessment candidates will be assessed on communication skills and knowledge, a scenario related to the role will be provided at interview.  The candidate will be given time to consider it and respond.

Interviews will be held in person at the King's House, Lyndhurst, SO43 7NH at the end of February. Please note these dates may be subject to change. 

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Forestry Commission from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.

Where a role has been identified as one which falls under the scope of the Public Sector English Language Requirements, within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English. Applicants will be assessed in the selection process in accordance with the requirements.

A total of 37 hours per week will need to be covered.  Applicants who wish to work less than 37 hours per week or an alternative working pattern are welcome to apply, however your preferred working pattern may not be available if the remaining hours cannot be filled, and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Reasonable adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via FCERecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

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)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.