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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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About the job
Job summary
Forestry England
For over 100-years we have been growing, shaping and caring for our nation’s forests for the benefit and enjoyment of all, this generation and the next. We care for more land and trees than any other organisation in England. Shaping landscapes for people, wildlife and timber. We plan and look after our vast estate today for a better tomorrow.
Estate Surveyor
We are seeking a professional Estates Surveyor who shares our passion for the environment to join our busy Estates team in the West England Forest District. This role provides essential support to our front line delivery teams, both in the forestry and recreation / visitor services business areas in the northern part of the district.
Job description
Background Forestry England
For over 100 years, Forestry England have been growing, shaping and caring for our nations forests for the benefit and enjoyment of all, for this generation and the next. We care for more land and trees than any other organisation in England. Shaping landscapes for people, wildlife and timber. Weve built over 1,800 miles of walking, running and cycling trails; we are Englands largest supplier of sustainably grown timber, and conserve the homes of thousands of plants and animals. We plan and look after our vast estate today for a better tomorrow.
Background West Forest District
West Forest District is responsible for the stewardship of over 36,500 ha of woods and forests, from the Shropshire Hills to Salisbury Plain, and south-westwards to Truro in Cornwall.
The West Forest District team delivers superb forestry. Delivery of sustainable forest management across such a large area requires a large team of dedicated professionals managing an inter-connected web of business activities. The West Forest District team extends to over 155 people under the leadership of the Forest Management Director. Collectively the business generates an income in excess of £10 million each year, which is reinvested back into our woods and forests. The team is structured in to four business areas Recreation & Engagement; Forestry & Land Management; Business Administration and Estates.
The expanse of woods and forests is made up from numerous freehold and leasehold properties, with many of the leases dating to the origins of the Forestry Commission in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Each lease is different with a myriad of different arrangements for boundary fencing and access rights.
As well as the wooded estate we maintain a host of built properties, ranging from our working office and depot locations, through to let cafes and visitor facilities, to a collection of embedded residential and commercial properties. The forest also contains a significant number of engineered structures, some actively used and some obsolete which collectively form an important collection of built and industrial heritage needing active inspection and maintenance.
West Forest District aspires to be an outstanding organisation, with sustainable finances, reducing carbon emissions and effective systems in place to reduce waste. As we strive to be an outstanding organisation we need to deliver a step change in leadership, team working and staff engagement at all levels of the organisation.
Estates Surveyor
The Estates Surveyor role provides support to the Area Land Agent in jointly providing a professional, efficient and effective service to proactively manage the districts residential, commercial and agricultural agreements, supporting a professional buildings management programme, whilst providing landlord and tenant / neighbour relations and legal support advice and services to the wider district team. The role is line managed by the Area Land Agent (North) and part of the wider Estates team lead by the Head of Estates. The full team includes:
- The Head of Estates
- 2 x Area Land Agents (north and south)
- 2 x Estates Surveyors (north and south)
- District Land Agent for Buildings and Development
- 2 x Building Surveyors
- Development Programme Manager
- Project Manager for the Haldon Forest Park Redevelopment
- Deputy Gaveller (mining engineer)
- Land Surveyor
- Estates Officer (Dean)
- 2 x Forest Wardens (Dean)
- 3 x Business Support Officers
- 4 x Administrative Officers.
The Estates Surveyor (North) will provide support across the Forest of Dean, the Wyre Forest, Savernake and our Mortimer Forest and Shropshire Hills beats, as well as to the recreation teams in the Dean Forest Park, and the Wyre.
Key Work Areas
1. Managing landlord and tenant relationships
- Manage landlord and tenant relationships to complete efficient and timely rent reviews, lease renewals and new lettings for recreational, commercial, residential, agricultural, sporting and telecoms agreements.
- Interpreting leases from both a landlord and tenants perspective and offer sound professional advice to colleagues in forestry and recreation teams.
2. Recreation Business Performance
- Support the recreation teams with existing tenant performance, and also on new tenders and leases for recreation activities and development projects so as to ensure best value, and public service delivery and customer satisfaction.
3. Financial and Environmental Sustainability
- Work positively as a member of the Estates team, and wider district team to improve the financial and environmental sustainability of the Estate, championing positive change.
4. Protecting the Estate
- Work with the front-line delivery teams, and in the Dean, the Estate Officer and Forest Wardens to protect the estate in relation to access, encroachments, boundary disputes and third party liability claims. Liaise with Forestry England’s legal advisers where necessary.
5. Valuations, Acquisitions and Disposals
- Undertake RICS Red Book Valuations for financial purposes.
- Managing small-scale acquisitions and disposals, and support as required on large-scale projects. As may be required, support the national woodland creation team by carrying out site visits of potential acquisitions and report on the same.
The post is suitable for flexible working and but will be based at Bank House, Coleford. Alternative office locations are available at Ludlow, or our Wyre Forest office and depot sites.
What this means for you
You will have a pivotal role in the district team providing the forestry and recreation delivery teams with professional advice and support.
No two days are the same for a Forestry England Estates Surveyor, and the variety this brings is want makes it challenging and exciting.
This is a great opportunity to use your expertise and creativity to help shape the future of the nations forests, shaping the future of our unique landscapes for nature, climate and people.
On offer is the opportunity for hybrid working, without the pressure of fee earning in a supportive and welcoming environment.
Person specification
The Candidate what we need from you
You will ideally have:
- The ability to analyse complex and unusual estate management issues and develop detailed solutions to ensure best value, from a financial as well as environmental and public service perspective.
- Experience of negotiating contract terms, acting on behalf of either a landlord or a tenant.
- Experience of leading rent reviews and lease renewals on residential and commercial properties.
- The ability to be organised and flexible and have ability to switch from one task to another depending on priorities.
You will be working as a Rural or General Practice Surveyor, and if not qualified, ideally be working towards your MRICS status.
Being a RICS registered valuer would be an advantage.
Qualifications
Memberships
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
£9,684 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- 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. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
At interview we will use the Civil Service Success Profiles to explore the candidate’s responses to the behaviours, as well as test the experience as set out in each candidates CV.
The interview will be preceded by short practical based assessment.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
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.
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 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).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Will Carless
- Email : william.carless@forestryengland.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
