Planning Forester

In this role you will join six other colleagues in North District’s planning and environment team. To help you settle in quickly you’ll be provided with training and mentoring and will be working closely with experienced team members to help you settle quickly into the role.
The planning and environment team is involved in all aspects of the districts work – woodland management, timber production, road construction, open land and habitat conservation management, peatland restoration and the management of tree pests and diseases. The team maintain 57 forest plans, and associated SSSI and scheduled ancient monument management plans.
Working closely with others the team designs the forests of the future, protecting and restoring natural habitats, whilst seeking to maximize productivity and enable programmes that meet a wide range of multiple objectives. This is a diverse and dynamic role that involves balancing financial, social and environmental delivery benefits from each plan area.
North England Forest District has a complement of 132 staff who care for 61,000 hectares of forest and 25,000 hectares of open land. Annual timber production is 550,000 m3 and there is a planting programme in excess of 3 million trees a year.
The District has 45 SSSIs totalling over 10,000 ha and is a major contributor to local and national biodiversity. We work across the Northumberland and Lake District National Parks.
The District has four visitor centres at Grizedale, Whinlatter, Kielder and Hamsterley. The public forest estate in North England District attracts over one million visits per annum.
Sustainable forest management is at the heart of everything we do, as part of the planning team you will contribute directly to achieving this. Your role will safeguard forest activities guaranteeing they have full approval for felling and restocking and that our UKWAS accreditation is maintained. Working at the forefront of the latest policies, legislation and best practice you will lead the way in revising the forest plans, ensuring they are fit for purpose and assist in the delivery of land management across the estate in its widest sense., + Prepare Land Management Plans (LMPs) based on a thorough understanding of the land and analysing environmental, silvicultural, financial and social impacts. Plans are required to meet the UK Forestry Standard and the UK Woodland Assurance Standard.
+ Assist colleagues with the planning, delivery and monitoring of programmes for felling, restocking and habitat management.
+ Undertake site visits and collaborate with relevant colleagues to explore land management and implementation options, identify silvicultural requirements, creatively address key problems identified and develop efficient and practical solutions to meeting land management objectives over the required timeframe.
+ Build and maintain excellent working relationships with stakeholders such as community groups and statutory consultees.
+ Forest Planners prepare screening information for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) determination, full EIAs, and amendments to plans for regulatory approval as required., 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.
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.
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: englandhr.services@forestryengland.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 an interview, or if you’re 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
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
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).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
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Essential professional and technical experience
+ Relevant knowledge and experience of forest management or land management in the United Kingdom.
+ Experience of building strong working relationships with internal colleagues and a wide range of external stakeholders and regulators.
+ Good facilitation, communication and engagement skills.
+ Ability to think strategically and identify consequences of proposals, analyse and solve problems creatively.
+ Full UK Driving Licence. Travel within the district will be essential to the role.
Desirable professional and technical experience
+ Understanding of UK forest or land management planning guidelines, regulations and legislation.
+ Competent user of Geographical Information Systems, spreadsheet and writing software.

Alongside your salary of £29,863, Forestry Commission contributes £8,651 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 employer contribution of 28.97%.