FOREST OFFICER

Forest Service – Northern Ireland Civil Service
Based – Northern Ireland with hybrid working available

Forest Service is an Executive Agency of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland. Forest Officer (Grade III) posts make a significant contribution to DAERA’s vision of “Sustainability at the heart of a living, working, active landscape valued by everyone.” We are committed to enhancing the skills and capacity of Forest Service to deliver a diverse portfolio, as we seek to protect and enhance our environment; improve its sustainability, grow a vibrant economy; and support the development of thriving rural communities.

Forest Service is a multidisciplinary organisation, whose staff are drawn mainly from forestry, agriculture, industrial and administrative disciplines, and is currently seeking to fill a number of Forest Officer Grade III full-time vacancies. Applications are invited from candidates who have forestry knowledge, skills and experience, and who meet the eligibility criteria, to apply for this opportunity.

Forest Service offices are located in Enniskillen (County Fermanagh), Newry (County Armagh) and Garvagh (County Londonderry). Forest Officer III is a mobile grade and successful candidates will be expected to work in forests and other operational bases, including DAERA offices, throughout Northern Ireland during their employment. The Northern Ireland Civil Service Hybrid Working Policy arrangements will apply which may involve a mixture of working from the assigned base, other office locations and home-working subject to business need.

Key Responsibilities
Forest Officer IIIs are responsible for leading and safely managing forestry activities across the range of forestry and plant health services. The duties vary between posts, and will include:

• Planning, commissioning and controlling forestry operations including day to day management of staff and contract work;
• Management and development of staff;
• Coordinating activities on the Forest Service estate to secure Forest Service interests in relation to public safety and protection of forests;
• Developing and maintaining good relations with customers, landowners and forestry stakeholders;
• Use of IT systems in budgeting, procurement, reporting, surveying, data collection and analysis, including working with geographical information systems (GIS) for the purposes of disease control, business planning, forest management, timber supply, policy development and customer service;
• Inspecting and enforcing legislation for the purposes of aid schemes, forest protection and public access to forests, felling control, environmental protection and plant health;
• Providing professional and technical input to policy development; and
• Driving official vehicles and operating machinery and equipment.

Eligibility Criteria
By the closing date for applications, applicants must possess:
1. A degree in Forestry or another educational qualification* that has been assessed by the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) to meet a minimum requirement of 5 points * These qualifications may include those acquired outside the UK.

AND

2.a. At least Associate membership of the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF); or be a technical member of another recognised professional forestry body;
OR
2.b. At least 10 months practical experience** actively working within any of the following ICF competency areas:

• Business Management;
• Forestry and Woodland Management;
• Arboriculture and Urban Woodland Management;
• Environment, Biodiversity and Wildlife Management;
• Recreation Management and Planning;
• Public Consultation and Participation;
• Harvesting, Marketing and Utilisation;
• Forest Engineering;
• Policy Development and Strategic planning;
• Timber Conversion;
• Tree Nursery Management;
• Forestry and Arboricultural Research; and
• Forestry and Arboricultural Teaching.

3. A full and current UK driving licence and have access to a form of transport which will permit them to meet the requirement of the post in full.

Salary and Benefits
Salary will be within the range £35,996 - £36,738 within which pay progression will be performance related.

As a Forest Officer within the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) you will enjoy:
• An annual leave allowance of 25 days, increasing to 30 days after 5 years, in addition to public and privilege holidays.
• An attractive pension package.
• Access to NICS career pathways and job opportunities.

For more detailed information and to apply, please click HERE

Completed application forms must be submitted no later than 12:00 noon (UK time) on Friday 9th August 2024.

Applications from females, young people (people under the age of 35), people with a disability and people from minority ethnic communities are particularly welcomed for this post.

The Northern Ireland Civil Service is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

ALL APPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT ARE CONSIDERED STRICTLY ON THE BASIS OF MERIT.