The Forestry Commission is seeking someone with experience in forestry and/or land management to take on the role of woodland officer.
The salary range for the role is £34,080-£36,934 and the application deadline is 11:55p.m on Sunday, May 5, 2024.
The role is a fixed term appointment until March 31, 2025 with possibility of extension or permanency, but no guarantee.
The Forestry Commission is comprised of the government’s forestry experts, and it facilitates the protection, improvement and expansion of England’s trees, woodlands and forestry sector.
The role will be based at the Forestry Commission’s offices in Fineshade. One post will cover Hertfordshire, one post will cover Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire.
“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,” the Forestry Commission said.
“Our Prime Minister and our government are committed to creating 30,000ha of woodland a year across the UK 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.”
Woodland officer
The woodland officer will work to:
- Expand woodland cover;
- Protect existing trees and woodlands;
- Improve the condition and resilience of existing woodlands and the wider treescape;
- Engage partners, stakeholders and the public.
The Forestry Commission said 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,” the Forestry Commission said.
“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.”
