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Salary
Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Job grade
Contract type
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Type of role
Operational Delivery
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
Much of the land is of high importance for nature conservation, supporting some 29,000 hectares (ha) deemed to be of national importance for wildlife of which approximately 28,000 ha are also designated as being of international importance for biodiversity as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Ramsar sites. The majority of the land managed by the District is also within areas designated for their landscape value, including 4,000 ha within AONBs and 31,500 ha across two National Parks.
The area receives some 20 million day visits by the public each year and includes two major Forest Centres at Moors Valley Country Park and Alice Holt Woodland Park.
The Public Forest Estate is managed around the three pillars of sustainability; people, nature and economy. The Land Management Team play an important role in applying these objectives to ensure that we meet the highest standards of sustainable land management delivery.
The Harvesting Direct Production team of three is responsible for the planning and harvesting of 50,000m3 of timber per year across the geographic spread of the Forest District. Working closely with the Land Management and Planning teams, its role is to deliver Forest Design Plan and conservation objectives while fulfilling supply contracts to our sawmill customers.
The majority of the volume is shortwood produced by a mechanised harvesting contractor, but it also includes an element of mature hardwood felled using traditional motor manual techniques.
Job description
You will:-
Assist in leading and managing staff and contractors to deliver outputs and results.
Assist in setting and maintaining operational / Health and Safety standards.
Assist in the planning of work programmes by attending to site and operational needs.
Co-ordinate the production and dispatch of wood for the DP Unit and liaise with customers.
Act as Duty Officer providing 24 hr emergency contact cover for a period of one week in approximately every 14 weeks i.e. approximately 4 times per year.
Person specification
Relevant experience in forestry or land management.
Competence with a wide range of IT applications including Microsoft Office Suite.
Competence with GIS applications.
Desirable Experience
Hold a recognised Forestry qualification to at least National Diploma level.
Good understanding of and experience in the application of Health & Safety in forest operations.
A sound understanding of and experience in the application of contract management.
Experience of using Sales Record Package (SRP)
Professional membership of the Institute of Chartered Foresters or another relevant professional body is desirable.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Contract Management
- Health and Safety
Benefits
£7,164 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- Flexible working to support a healthy work/life balance.
- 25 days holiday pa with an extra days holiday entitlement each year over the first 5 years up to a maximum of 30 days per year, plus bank holidays and 2.5 extra days leave. (all pro-rata)
3 days paid volunteering leave every year (once you have passed probation).
Access to technical and personal development training and qualifications that are tailored to your role.
5 days dedicated to your self-driven development each year.
Extensive opportunities for further learning through Civil Service Learning.
Reimbursement of professional membership fees.
Employee benefits that include (but are not limited to) the Cycle to Work scheme, free high-street and online discounts and offers through STaR, and the opportunity to join the Civil Services Sports Council.
The brilliant Civil Service Pensions scheme.
Access to our dedicated Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that gives free, confidential and independent support – whether it is personal or work-related.
Free eyesight tests and £100 voucher for glasses for visual display usage.
Pay advances of up to £5,000 for computers, sports equipment, or training costs.
Free parking at all Forestry Commission sites (including Moors Valley Country Park and Alice Holt Forest) and free entry into our National Arboretum in Westonbirt.
Up to 15% discount at Forest Live Events, Forest Holidays cabins, and Go Ape outdoor activity centres.
Numerous retail discounts including 10% off at Forestry Commission shops and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. - Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and Personal Statement of up to 500 words. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the essential role requirements within the personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Sifting will take place in the week commencing 24/01/2024, with interviews scheduled to take place in the week commencing 29/01/2024. Please note these dates are subject to change.
Candidates will be further assessed on their Experience and Behaviours at interview, in addition to the below Technical Skills:
Contract management
Health & Safety
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 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
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.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe 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.
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.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band
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 youre 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
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Joe Elks
- Email : joe.elks@forestryengland.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : FCERecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
