About the job

Job summary

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 Prime Minister and our government are committed as part of the Environmental Improvement Plan to increasing the tree canopy cover across England from the current 14.5% to at least 16.5% by 2050 – this means 34,000 ha of new tree cover by 2028. 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. 

The Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Forestry Commission have set up a joint tree planting programme for England to support the forestry sector, landowners and communities in the delivery of these ambitions. 

Forestry Commission will lead the delivery of the following parts of the tree planting programme:- 

• Developing sector capacity.
• Woodland creation on public land.
• Woodland creation on private land.

If you are passionate about the role of trees, woods and forestry in creating a better future for England, and want to play a key part in realising that, we want to hear from you. 

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. 

Our staff engagement levels are consistently well above the Civil Service average and staff turnover is well below. We value our people, we look after them, and we will look after you. We hope you will join us for the challenge.

Job description

The Woodland Creation Officer role represents Forest Services front-line woodlands and forestry expertise. It involves ensuring the delivery of Government forestry policy through the effective use of advice and incentives. The role provides an important interface between Forest Services and landowners and forestry agents, promoting, advising on, and helping to facilitate a diverse range of woodland creation proposals. 

The post-holders will be expected to focus on woodland creation. They will advocate the benefits of woodland creation and proactively communicate with and advise landowners and investors considering woodland creation. The post-holders will also understand and advise on the regulatory aspects of individual woodland creation applications where required. 

The post-holders will operate as part of the Area Delivery Teams, and also have close working links to the national Incentives Development team and the Promotion and Engagement workforce. They will also work closely with the national Policy and Advice team (PAt) to ensure that proposals meet the requirements of the UK Forestry Standard. Regular travel across the FS Delivery Area and occasional overnight stays will be required. 

These Woodland Creation Officer posts will cover:- 

• Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Berkshire based at Wendover office.

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. 

New WCO’s are expected to attend your substantive office 2 to 3 days per week to allow you to learn the role from managers and colleagues. 

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

Responsibilities -

Providing front line advice on woodland creation:- 

• Engaging and enthusing landowners on how new woodland can deliver their aspirations while also delivering multifunctional benefits to the environment, society and the economy.
• Advising on funding options: grants, carbon funding, nitrate offsetting and sponsorship.
• Explaining the requirements of the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS)’s woodland design and planning requirements.
• Working as part of the wider Area teams to proactively identify and engage with landowners/agents with an interest in woodland creation.
• Supporting landowners and forestry agents in identifying consultees, sources of information and relevant contacts to facilitate the preparation of high quality UKFS compliant woodland creation design plans.
• Liaison with relevant stakeholders ( including tenants, Non Government Organisations , Government organisations) to ensure plans take into account relevant views and issues.
• Administration of woodland creation proposals and grant scheme applications.
• Acting as the point of contact for Woodland Creation Planning Grant applications and Woodland Carbon Fund applications.
• Liaising with Area teams and colleagues in the Incentives Development Team over the processing of grants.
• Advising the Incentives Development Manager and Admin Officer when applications are complete or need further input from either applicants or PAt colleagues.
• Responding to queries on applications.
• Liaising with statutory consultees and Defra-group colleagues over proposals, as appropriate. Playing an active role in the Area team.
• Engaging as part of the Area team in routine activities and discussions including health and safety, team meetings, vision and culture and business change and improvement.
• Communicating and sharing lessons learned and good practice on woodland creation proposals.
• Leading and supporting local targeted initiatives aimed at promoting woodland creation opportunities.
• Developing and managing good working relationships with advisers and stakeholders.
• Cultivating relationships with advisers and consultees, specifically encouraging and facilitating proposals being shared and discussed as early as possible with relevant stakeholders.
• Presenting Government’s forestry policy clearly.

Requesting support from National Office and Area team colleagues as required

Person specification

Essential: 

• Forestry or land management based degree (or equivalent qualification) and / or significant forestry or land management experience.
• Experience of managing or advising on woodland creation and management.
• Good interpersonal and influencing skills demonstrating the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal colleagues and our customers.
• Competent IT user with experience of the MS Office suite of applications.
• Proven ability to communicate with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm.

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. 

Desirable: 

• Experience of practical woodland management.
• Experience and knowledge of forestry regulations, incentives and tree health.
• Experience in promoting, designing and establishing new woodland.
• Experience working in partnership across delivery organisations.
• Experience in facilitating market growth in the forestry sector.
• Experience in 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

Alongside your salary of £32,612, Forestry Commission contributes £8,838 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 complete the following:

1. A tailored 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. The CV will be split into 3 parts and request: Job History, Previous Skills/Experience, Full Qualification Details.

2. A personal statement – in no more than 750 words showing how you meet the essential criteria of the Person Specification.

3. A statement, of no more than 250 words, providing an example of how you have demonstrated the key behaviour of Communicating and Influencing

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Should a large number of applications be received, the initial sift may be conducted using the personal statement and the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the essential role requirements within the application behaviour responses. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Interview

Interviews will be held in person at our Wendover Office, (Chilterns Office) Upper Icknield Way, Wendover, Buckinghamshire, HP22 5NF. They will be based on Strengths, Behaviours and Technical Skills. 

Applications will be sifted on 15th January 2024

Interviews will be held 29th January 2024

Please note that these dates are subject to change

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Woodland Officer role includes regular travel within their ‘area’, meeting landowners and stakeholders as well as some travel within the Area and to training around the country.

The Forestry Commission is actively working to reduce the carbon emission of official travel and applicants should be aware of the broad principles which are being applied to reduce carbon emissions to less than 50gCO2/km.

Travel options include:  
•    Use of private car: some Officers chose to use their private car and receive payment for the miles they drive on official business. If your private car emits more than 120 gCO2/km it can only be used until 31st March 2024. After that date, we expect private vehicles used for official travel to emit significantly less.
•    Use of Forestry Commission van: usually based from an FC office, though may be based at officer’s home if the candidate lives within their ‘area’ (NOTE: such vehicles can only be used for official business).  
•    Use of CAPES (lease) Cars: after an employee has successfully completed their probation, they can opt for a CAPES car (the user pays a monthly rate for private use). All CAPES cars must emit less than 50gCO2/km  

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.