Forestry Commission
Regulations Manager
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Job Summary
Lead the protection of England’s trees, woodland and forest and help shape a sustainable environment for future generations.
We are seeking experienced regulatory officers to join the Forestry Commission’s national Regulations team. In this role, you will oversee the implementation and improvement of environmental protections for trees, woodland and forestry across England, ensuring compliance with statutory regimes and tree and woodland policy.
The team’s work focuses on two key areas: enforcing action against non-compliant or illegal activity and streamlining regulatory processes for compliant land managers.
We are looking for highly motivated individuals with proven regulatory experience, capable of performing under pressure in a fast-paced, occasionally adversarial environment. Strong attention to detail, the ability to manage complex information and a commitment to team wellbeing and productivity are essential.
Collaboration is central to this role. You will work closely with your national and local counterparts across England and engage with a wide range of stakeholder interests. Influencing key decision-makers to deliver positive outcomes for the team and the wider Forestry Commission will be a critical part of your success.
Job Description
The successful candidates will lead investigations and provide regulatory support to one of the Forestry Commission’s area teams, reporting to one of the SEO National Regulations Team Managers.
About The Regulations Team
The national Regulations team ensures effective implementation and continuous improvement of forestry regulation across England. As subject matter experts in forestry regulation, legislation and policy, and their application, our work focuses on two key areas:
Managing Enforcement and Complex Cases
We lead case management for non-compliance with tree felling conditions and alleged illegal felling, including reviewing inspection reports, conducting desk-based checks, determining enforcement actions, and referring cases for criminal investigation where necessary.
The team handles complaints and responds to appeals heard by Reference Committees and or Judicial Review. Occasionally, members may act as witnesses in court.
Additionally, we support Area teams on complex afforestation or deforestation cases, ensuring decisions comply with regulations and are enforceable.
Streamlining regulatory processes
We design and refine regulatory processes to ensure clarity, efficiency, and compliance with legislation and the Regulators’ Code. This includes providing guidance on Felling Licences, Environmental Impact Assessments, Habitat Regulations Assessments, and Woodland Management Plans. Our advice is limited to legislative and regulatory requirements; technical assessments are carried out by field teams, so only basic environmental knowledge is required for this role.
Our goal is to accelerate decision-making and processing times for afforestation and woodland management, reduce costs, and maintain environmental protections. We also contribute to training new staff and shaping digital systems that support regulatory functions.
As subject matter experts in forestry regulation and legislation, we provide specialist advice on regulatory requirements. Therefore, this role requires strong analytical skills, the ability to interpret legislation, and evidence-based decision-making.
About The Post
The post holders will be part of a small team of regulations managers. You will provide guidance, act as a knowledge resource and offer direction where needed.
There is currently no line management responsibility for these posts, but a willingness to lead a support worker in the future, as required, is desirable.
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The role also involves representing the Forestry Commission and engaging with key stakeholders, including but not limited to Natural England, Defra policy teams, Defra Counter Fraud and Investigation Service, the Rural Payments Agency, the Environment Agency, and Historic England. Strong presentation skills and the ability to navigate government processes are essential.
Fixed Term Appointment until 30th March 2028 with possibility of extension or permanency, but no guarantee.
The Regulations Manager Will:
- Rapidly develop expertise in forestry regulation, through an established induction programme, and become a subject matter expert on forestry regulation, legislation, case law, policy, and processes.
- Assess, progress and manage enforcement cases through the regulatory framework in a timely manner. This includes liaising with land managers, internal and external stakeholders.
- Represent the FC at statutory appeal hearings by presenting both written and oral submissions.
- Provide regulatory expertise to frontline staff and internal/external stakeholders alike.
- Liaise with internal teams and external stakeholders to improve regulatory administration and enforcement.
- Conduct reviews of forestry regulation and contribute to future regulatory development.
- Communicate FC’s regulatory approach, to minimise non-compliance and ensure national consistency.
- Ensure regulatory delivery aligns with FC and government forestry policy priorities.
- Respond to FOI/EIR requests, Parliamentary Questions, and media enquiries per established protocols.
Person specification
Experience:
Essential:
- Ability to absorb, retain, and apply large volumes of technical information.
- Skilled at managing multiple priorities at pace.
- Excellent oral and written communication, with high-quality written English.
- Confident decision-maker, able to justify decisions to external and potentially adversarial audiences.
- Proven strategies for maintaining resilience and wellbeing during stressful periods and seeking support when needed.
- Experienced in handling FOI/EIR requests, formal complaints, and challenging case discussions.
- Competent IT user: MS Office, SharePoint, and quick to learn bespoke systems.
- Comfortable with blended/remote working and maintaining team engagement via online communication.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of regulatory processes and case reviews.
- Experience seeking and applying legal advice in decision-making.
- Skilled in interpreting and applying legislation.
- Working knowledge of tree felling controls, EIA forestry regulations, Habitats and Species Regulations, or related legislation.
- Clear understanding of current forestry policies.
- Ability to advise stakeholders on regulatory impacts, including communication planning and stakeholder management, particularly in land management and forestry contexts.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Degree or Higher Diploma level and/or significant experience managing regulatory, legal, and/or enforcement functions, ideally in forestry, land use, planning or related fields.
Benefits
- Alongside your salary of £40,388, Forestry Commission contributes £11,700 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
- A range of family friendly benefits.
- An environment with flexible working options.
- Learning and development tailored to your role.
- A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment.
- A range of wellbeing benefits including discounted Civil Service Healthcare, access to an Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, Bike to Work Scheme, plus many more.
- 25 days annual leave, with 1 additional day for each years’ service up to 5 years (pro rata), plus 10.5 bank holidays/privilege days (pro rata).
- Ability to buy or sell 5 days annual leave.
- 3 days volunteering per year (pro rata).
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Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.
This is a Fixed Term Appointment ending 30th March 2028, with possibility but no guarantee of extension or permanency.
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete:
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
- A personal statement – in no more than 500 word please provide details of how you meet the relevant skills and experience as set out in the person specification
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Should a large number of applications be received, the initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Applications will be sifted week commencing 7th September 2026. Interviews will be held week commencing 21st September 2026. These dates may be subject to change.
Interviews will be held at our national office - Forestry Commission, 620 Bristol Business Park, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1EJ
At interview you will be assessed on Experience, Behaviours, Strengths and Technical Skills. You may be asked to prepare a presentation at interview stage.
Further Information
- Current Civil Servants (all contract types) will need to ensure that they are still employed as a civil servant at the point of starting in the relevant new post. If their contract ends (e.g., end of FTA contract or resignation) at any point during the recruitment/onboarding process for the advertised role, they will no longer be eligible and may be withdrawn.
- A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
- Any move to Forestry 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.
- 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.
- Existing Civil Servants (excluding Forestry Commission employees) and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, and will only be considered on a loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the
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