Tree Health Planning and Contingency Manager

Scotland

Protecting the long term health of Scotland’s trees, woods and forests is of vital and increasing importance to delivery of the Scottish Government. Our Tree Health team sits within Scottish Forestry’s Policy & Practice function but works closely with internal and external stakeholders, including Forest Research and other parts of Scottish 
Government, as well as private forest owners. Recent years have seen a number of threats to Scotland’s trees and our work contributes to ongoing annual surveillance, detecting diseases and pests.

This role will take the strategic lead for SF on the operational response to current and potential threats to tree health from pests and diseases. Working closely with the Head of Tree Health, the Tree Health Policy team, the Tree Health Programme and Risk Manager and the Tree Health Operations Manager to ensure delivery of priorities. 

The role will involve close collaboration with colleagues in Scottish Government and its agencies, plus UK Government agencies (especially DEFRA, Forestry Commission, and Forest Research) and agencies in the other UK devolved administrations and in other parts of the world, plus a range of stakeholders in non-governmental organisations with interests in e.g. forestry, environment, research, trade. In particular working closely with Scottish Forestry’s Sustainable Forest Management team to further integration of tree health and wider forest resilience policy. The role is part of the National Office Team but does not require you to be based in Edinburgh. You will be required to travel with some overnight stays to develop experience and understanding of the range of 
pests and diseases affecting and potentially affecting trees in Scotland

The Success Profile below set outs the essential and desirable elements that make up the vacant position – you’ll be expected to demonstrate these element in your application and/or during your interview and/or assessment.

Experience

Essential:

• Working knowledge of the key tree pests and diseases impacting forestry in Scotland and the UK
• Experience of report writing, and ability to interpret and summarise complex information for verbal or written presentations
• Problem solving ability, coupled with good analytical skills

Desirable:

• Experience of UK plant health control processes and requirements
• Practical understanding of UK forestry and silvicultural principles.
• Experience communicating with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders

Technical

Essential

• Degree level qualification in a relevant scientific, environmental or land use subject, or equivalent 
  experience relevant to the role.

• 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%

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Job contact :

• Name : Jack Mackay
• Email : jack.mackay@forestry.gov.scot

Recruitment team

• Email : resourcing@forestryandland.gov.scot