About the job

Job summary

We are Forestry England

Forestry England looks after the nation’s forests with the aim that everyone in England should feel connected to them. For over 100 years, we have been growing, shaping and caring for over 1,500 of our nation’s forests for the benefit and enjoyment of all, for this generation and the next. As part of our national Growing the Future strategy and Biodiversity Plan we are looking to restore fully-functioning ecosystems. Recovering species diversity and abundance is a key part of ensuring the nation’s forests are the most valuable places for wildlife in England, in turn enabling resilience in the face of climate change and offering associated socio-economic benefits.

Our national Forest Wilding Programme is supporting delivery of conservation translocation projects across our districts, from planning and feasibility through to delivery and post-release monitoring. Translocations enable species restoration where natural recovery is not possible, or unlikely within a reasonable timeframe. International and national guidance (e.g. IUCN, Defra) exists to support best practice and evidence-based decision-making to optimise project success.

Kielder Forest is a hub of nature recovery, home to breeding populations of osprey, pine marten and red squirrel, all monitored and supported in their recovery as part of a diverse, multi-purpose forest. Projects such as the restoration of the Border Mires, native woodland restoration at Kielder Wildwood, reintroduction of the water vole and more recently the PRISM Landscape Recovery project are helping to make this landscape, in conjunction with our partners, a leading location for wildlife to thrive. This landscape also inspires passion and debate. Species translocation projects, by their nature, introduce a change and elements of uncertainty to the environment we manage. Inevitably they can attract a range of perspectives from stakeholders, which we must understand and consider at all stages of project design development and assessment.  

 

Job description

About this role

The team of FE staff and partners in Kielder Forest have a successful heritage of nature recovery and community engagement, supported by our national leads, long-term monitoring and award-winning academic research. This role looks to build on that foundation, and will encompass both ecological and social elements, including wildlife monitoring, public engagement and project management.

It will manage delivery of species recovery efforts in line with our National Forest Wilding Programme priority species, specifically the European wildcat, also known as the woodcat.

This is a species that was once present throughout Britain but has been pushed to the brink of extinction with no viable populations remaining. Reintroduction is the only tool at hand to facilitate the return of the wildcat to its former range and is an option currently being considered for Kielder Forest. As a European Protected Species and mesopredator, it is vital that the potential presence of wildcat in the Borders landscape be considered from a socio-economic as well as ecological angle, reflecting the wide variety of stakeholders and land uses present including protected areas, agriculture, and forestry. This role will also involve working with other protected species that have returned to Kielder and gaining skills with experienced naturalists.

Purpose of Job

Desk-based social, biological and ecological feasibility has recently been completed and indicates Kielder Forest could be a suitable location for European wildcat reintroduction, subject to further site-based feasibility and consultation. The postholder will lead on taking forward recommended next steps. This will include public and stakeholder engagement, ecological monitoring and, dependent on ongoing feasibility outputs, development of reintroduction plans. The postholder is also expected to support staff and partners working on the restoration of other species in line with national and local priorities, such as pine martens and water voles.

Key work areas

You will:

• Lead ongoing development and feasibility of species recovery; whilst supporting ongoing species recovery efforts such as water voles.
• Plan and undertake necessary ecological surveys to inform decision-making, including coordinating volunteers and contractors; ensuring Forestry England procurement and contract management regulations are followed throughout.
• Maintain and produce project documentation and reporting, including managing and reporting on budgeting and expenditure.
• Work closely and communicate effectively with: the North England Forest District team including Ecologists, Foresters and Recreation colleagues; the national Forest Wilding Programme team and Network; and collaborative project partners.
• Build and maintain good relationships with partners in statutory and eNGO nature conservation organisations.
• Develop and deliver engagement events and consultations with stakeholders and the public through a variety of creative mediums.
• Ensure adherence to national and international guidelines for reintroductions and other species translocations (IUCN, 2013; Defra, 2021) and evidenced best-practice.
• Identify and lead on production of any licence requirements and assessments, e.g. Habitats Regulations Assessments.
• Be a champion of species recovery within the nation’s forests and wider landscapes, providing rigorous, practical advice to colleagues, partners, and stakeholders.

 

Person specification

Experience, skills and knowledge

Essential 

• Experience working on development and/or delivery of a nature conservation project, with a sound understanding of ecology and the barriers and opportunities to species recovery.
• Experience working with stakeholders and/or community groups.
• Excellent communication skills in a range of media to a variety of audiences.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to plan own time efficiently.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining good relationships and knowledge exchange with wider teams.
• Competent in IT including core Microsoft Office applications.
• A full driving licence. 

Desirable 

• Experience working on a conservation translocation project.
• Understanding of and/or experience in project management and budgeting.
• Experience of procurement and contract/contractor management.
• Familiarity with applying wildlife legislation, licencing, and guidance including for conservation translocations.
• Hold protected species licence(s).
• Member of e.g. Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, British Ecological Society or local naturalist groups. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,863, Forestry Commission 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.

This is a Temporary Appointment up to 31st March 2026 with the possibility of extension or permanency but no guarantee.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete the following:

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. 

A Personal Statement (no longer than 500 words). Explain why you are applying for the role and how you consider your personal skills, qualities, and experience are suitable for the role. Please refer to the person specification in the advert (see responsibilities section).

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

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Interview

Face to face interviews will take place at  Forestry England District Office, Eals Burn, Bellingham, Hexham, NE48 2HP on a date to be confirmed.

For candidates invited to interview you will be asked behaviour-based questions, where we will be asking for evidence from your previous roles, and questions to see whether your experience reflects the needs of the role.

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 circumstances 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.

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.

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

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

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available 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.