About the job

Job summary

Want to work at the cutting edge of environmental science?  Passionate about making a difference and playing your part in tackling the climate and nature crisis?  Forest Research is all about giving top quality evidence and advice to policymakers and practitioners to make a positive impact on the ground. Internationally recognised, we need people who have the skills and passion to work on excellent science and provide practical solutions for nature.

We’re small enough that your voice is heard, yet large enough, as part of the Forestry Commission, that we have everything on hand to get the job done, as well as a variety of career pathways.  Our staff are dedicated to their work and sharing it with others to bring positive change for our planet.  And you will find us a flexible and inclusive employer, so you can have a work life balance that is tailor-made to your circumstances. So, whether it’s climate or carbon, pests or pathogens, behaviour or biodiversity that interests you, you can be assured of a warm welcome to the team. To find out more, visit forestresearch.gov.uk.

The GIS Team sits within the Centre for Inventory Forecasting & Operational Support (IFOS), an expert, customer-focused provider of forestry information, software, and service. The team is responsible for development and management of GIS and spatial data technologies, this includes an integrated spatial platform for forest and land management, ‘Forester’. ESRI ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Online and open-source technology are used to deliver services from the platform to 1500 users.

The GIS Team are recruiting GIS Support Officers to support an increasing customer base and development scope within the FC and external forestry customers. You will be working with the latest GIS technologies and data, presenting an excellent opportunity to utilise existing as well as develop new skills. The roles will be based within our GIS Data Services, GIS Technology Development and GIS Service Delivery functions, with opportunities to work across the team.

Job description

You will develop expertise across a broad range of geospatial technologies, data and delivery mechanisms underpinning our ESRI-based Forester/Geostore GIS platform. The role will have a strong customer focus and you will provide key support to a large and diverse user base. The role will be varied, dealing with technology and data, with customers and supporting development of new products and services. Working across the team to support spatial data and GIS services, products and solutions. You will report to managers within designated work areas and work as part of multi-disciplinary project teams. 

Key Work Areas:
The successful candidates will be required to undertake any of the following activities within the role, specifics would be agreed upon offer.

Supporting the GIS capability and services

• Supporting and undertaking the delivery of GIS services and projects
• Supporting the GIS Service Delivery function to ensure smooth running of the service through engaging with our clients and across the team to resolve issues and ensure customer satisfaction
• Supporting the GIS Data Services function in spatial data management & analysis, delivery of spatial data, cartographic mapping and visualisation services
• Supporting GIS Technical Development in capability/application development and configuration of GIS solutions
• Supporting delivery of geospatial analytical solutions to spatial problems
• Creating technical user guides and system documentation
• Helping customers maximise the benefits of the Forester GIS platform
• Stay abreast of developments within the GIS industry through participation in conferences, training sessions and self-learning
• Identifying any potential opportunities with our customers to extend the use of the Forester platform and services
• Building rapport, trust and long-term relationships with relevant staff at all levels within the customer organisations
• Supporting the implementation and rollout of new GIS products and services
• Providing a support resource to our customers during implementation of new products, services and datasets within the GIS platform 

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• A relevant degree with substantial GIS, IT (relating to geospatial technologies), remote sensing or data science OR equivalent experience
• Proven track record using Esri technologies including ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap/ArcGIS Pro) as a minimum for data management, spatial analysis and visualisation
• Proven experience of spatial data processing/management, preferably within a UK context
• Good Interpersonal skills with the ability to multi-task and experience of team working
• Must be comfortable in a client-facing role

Desirable Criteria: 

• Knowledge of a broad range of Esri technologies, such as ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Enterprise (Portal and Server), Experience Builder and/or mobile applications (e.g. Survey123, FieldMaps)
• Experience in creating and managing ESRI services within ArcGIS Online/Enterprise
• Working knowledge of PostgreSQL or MS SQL and associated spatial data types
• Programming languages and ESRI APIs, such as Python, ArcPy, ArcGIS API for Python, ESRI Javascript API, Arcade, SQL, or willingness to learn
• Experience in remote sensing techniques and technologies for the mapping and management of land-based activities

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,863, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £8,063 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 and Experience.

Sift will take place in the week commencing 17th June. Candidates will be notified of the outcome by 3rd July 2024.

Interviews are planned to take place between 11th - 19th July 2024.

Applicants invited to attend for interview will be required to prepare a presentation.  Details will be advised on confirmation of interview.

If we receive a large volume of applications, then we will sift on Experience/Technical Expertise and the Lead Behaviour, Working Together. However, candidates will be expected to answer questions on all behaviours listed at the interview stage.

Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Forest Research which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.

Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.

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.

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.

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.