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Salary
Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Estates
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
We are Forestry England. We are the countrys largest land manager, caring for the nations forests for people, nature and the economy. The foundation of our organisation is our world-class sustainable management of the nations forests.
Our four values capture how we work:
- Think beyond a lifetime – We make plans today for a better tomorrow, so our business and our forests are sustainable and fit for the future.
- Be adventurous – We approach challenges with creativity and adventure, embracing research and innovation to stay relevant.
- Do it together – We get our best results when we work with others, and we encourage diverse perspectives, so we make better decisions.
- Look out and look after – We care about our colleagues, volunteers, partners, and customers, and we take a stand against unsafe behaviour.
Alongside our traditional timber production the District:
- offers recreational opportunities for people to enjoy dozens of beautiful woodlands;
- protects and enhances valuable habitats for the benefit of wildlife; and
- delivers economic growth by supporting local businesses and rural employment.
The districts main office base is in Lyndhurst, New Forest and operates a number of local operational bases across the District. The area receives 45 million day visits by the public each year and includes two major Forest Visitor Centres at Moors Valley Country Park and Alice Holt Forest.
This role is within the Estates team which is responsible for managing a diverse range of properties in order to achieve best value for the District. The team consists of two Land Agents, each supported by and Assistant Land Agent, Building Surveyor, Building Works Supervisor, Estates Officer and 3 other Administration Officers.
Primarily, you will be supporting the Building Surveyor and Building Works Supervisor in maintaining and developing a built estate which includes offices, deer larders and commercial yards housing our operational teams together with a let portfolio consisting of agricultural holdings, commercial premises and 89 cottages.
Job description
Purpose of the Job
To support the day-to-day operational management of the built estate as part of a small team. You will be a primary point of contact between our repair and maintenance contractors, the Building Works Supervisor and Building Surveyor and our tenants/building occupiers. From time to time you may be required to assist elsewhere in the Estates or Business Support Teams.
Key Work Areas
- Support the Building Works Supervisor and Building Surveyor in arranging repairs and maintenance with contractors and liaising between them, tenants and colleagues.
- Maintain electronic and paper records relating to property, use of utilities/services and compliance with Forestry England’s procedures and statutory obligations.
- Liaise with others in the Estates and Business Support Teams to ensure invoices are paid promptly and information supplied to others to allow recharging of tenants and others where appropriate.
Person specification
Experience of business support work within a business setting.
Experience of working as part of a team.
Experience with business support IT systems and an intermediate level of competence with Microsoft Office software especially Word, Excel and Outlook.
Desirable:
Experience of working as part of a property management team dealing with repairs, maintenance, payments, tenancies and construction projects.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
£6,236 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). (pro-rata)
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. (pro-rata)
Extensive opportunities for further learning through Civil Service Learning.
Reimbursement of any 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.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete:
A 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.
A Statement of Suitability (750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable for the role, with particular reference to the essential experience specification.
Should a large number of applications be received, the initial sift may be conducted using CV only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the essential experience requirements within the application responses.
Failure to fully complete both sections (CV and Statement of Suitability) will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification. The panel will look for applications that demonstrate the best fit for the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the job description and responsibilities.
We aim to complete the sift week commencing 18th December 2023 and interview in the week commencing 1st January 2024 but these may be subject to change.
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 circumstance 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.
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.
A total of 37 hours per week will need to be covered. Applicants who wish to work less than 37 hours per week or an alternative working pattern are welcome to apply, however your preferred working pattern may not be available if the remaining hours cannot be filled, 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).
Apply and further information
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Kate Barnes
- Email : Katharine.Barnes@forestryengland.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
