Field Survey Technicians x 5

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 (FR) 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 Centre for Inventory, Forecasting and Operational Support (IFOS) at Forest Research have been involved in gathering environmental evidence, including mapping and field data collection solutions for over 20 years. IFOS provides evidence and practical software and data solutions to help our customers manage information about their woodland resource in a pragmatic and integrated way. We also provide information, evidence and official statistics on the woodland resource in GB.  We do this by blending the data we gather with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Data Science, Statistics, Mapping and Forestry skills providing analysis, modelling and data processing solutions to answer the questions and queries posed to us.

This role will sit within the Field Data Services (FDS) team, working to the Natural Capital Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) programme. FDS is responsible for the provision of high quality field data services to support scientific evidence and sustainable forest management. This is delivered through a network of highly trained professional staff and associates. The NCEA is an England wide programme funded by Defra whose purpose is to monitor the extent, condition and overall state of woodland and tree ecosystems, this will be your prime role.

Reporting to the allocated Field Data Officer, this role is principally responsible for carrying out Natural Capital Ecosystem Assessments primarily via the Trees Outside Woodland survey and the National Forest Inventory survey. This work will include travelling to sites not too far from your home to assess woodlands and trees within pre-defined  sample areas. You will spend most of the day outdoors assessing woodland and tree habitat, taking measurements of each and logging these in a software interface on a tablet or tough-book. Measurements taken will include mapping woodland and open habitats, hedgerows and trees and taking measures of these such as tree height, tree species, tree health and a wide range of other measures that encapsulate the state of the woodlands and trees.

Key Work Areas:

• Working independently or in a two person team, undertake a land based survey and gather a variety of woodland and tree related information, such as woodland area, tree species, heights and ages, within each given sample area
• Liaise directly with land owners to discuss site access prior to surveying, making sure to record any relevant information exchanged
• Follow the annual work schedule, and any other ad hoc requests, as directed by the Field Survey Manager and/or Field Data Officers
• Plan and organise your weekly/monthly work schedule to complete tasks to meet deadlines. Make regular progress reports and draw attention to potential difficulties before they occur
• The surveyor will need to be competent in the use of GIS and related field technologies
• Ensure timeous delivery of collected data and relevant information
• There is a requirement to work as a lone worker as well as being able to work within a wider team
• The candidate will be required to drive to and from remote rural locations to undertake survey
• Adhere to relevant policies, procedures, regulations and legislation, including equality and diversity and health and safety

We are looking for enthusiastic candidates capable of managing their own time, priorities, and workloads. Self-reliance and an ability to lone work in rural locations is an important element of the role.  You will also be expected to communicate effectively with colleagues, customers, contractors and other stakeholders, as well as work successfully as part of a team.  Training and support will be given.

Essential: 

• Literacy Level 2 qualification or equivalent experience (e.g. GCSE, NVQ, Key Skills, Welsh Baccalaureate Intermediate, Scottish National Certificate level 5)*
• Numeracy Level 2 qualification or equivalent experience (e.g. GCSE, NVQ, Key Skills, Welsh Baccalaureate Intermediate, Scottish National Certificate level 5)*
• GIS Experience, preferably Esri ArcMap
• Experience in field surveying, mapping and electronic data capture
• Experience in Forestry, Environmental Science, ecology or other related discipline
• Competence in tree identification, the National Vegetation Classification for woodlands, and woodland habitats
• Capability in the MS Office suite
• We require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. We will consider any proposals that would allow applicants to do the job by other means

Desirable: 

• Experience in woodland mensuration techniques
• Knowledge of habitat condition and its composite elements
• Experience with the use, placement and calibration of field survey equipment

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Your career

• Excellent professional development opportunities which are tailored to your role, with paid professional membership subscriptions, mentoring, and Civil Service Learning available to all
• access to world class laboratory facilities, as well as state of the art buildings within forest or science park settings

Your work/life balance

• flexible working options such as: up to two days flexi leave per month, blended working, part-time working, paid special leave, career breaks, and unpaid leave. Parents and carers will be supported to enable you to manage work and family responsibilities
• A generous annual leave allowance of 25 days per year, rising to 30 days after 5 years (pro-rata for part-timers). Plus 2.5 days of additional leave and 8 days’ paid bank/public holidays

Your wellbeing

• Wellbeing support and staff networks and including Mental Health First Aiders, Rainbow Canopy (LGBTQ+) and an Employee Assistance Programme
• We want you to feel part of something bigger and we encourage a community feel in our workplaces, with everything from cookery competitions to Pilates and fell running, plus topical talks at Wellbeing Wednesdays and Feelgood Fridays
• Paid volunteering leave of 3 days per year so you can give back to your community and charitable causes by sharing your skills and time

Your benefits

• a highly competitive Civil Service Pension where employer contributions are up to 26% of your salary
• an employee benefits scheme offering discounts on groceries, gym memberships, holidays, days out, online retailers and high street shops
• Cycle to Work scheme and Interest free loans
• Free parking is offered on-site, alongside electric car charging ports
• With maternity, adoption, and/or shared parental leave there’s the flexibility to have up to 26 weeks full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid leave. Paternity leave of up to two weeks is available with full pay.

Any move to Forest Research 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/.

Job contact :

• Name : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk
• Email : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk