Forestry Commission
Tree Health Pilot & Planning Officer
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Bristol, London and Alice Holt are the preferred office locations for this role. If you wish to be based at another Forestry Commission or Defra office, please contact the recruiting manager before applying to discuss whether this can be accommodated.
Job Summary
Trees and woodlands provide significant environmental, social and economic benefits, from carbon sequestration and biodiversity to timber production, recreation and improving public wellbeing. Protecting these valuable assets from pests and diseases is a key priority for the Forestry Commission.
The increasing impacts of climate change, international trade and global travel have heightened the risk of introducing and spreading tree pests and diseases. Threats such as ash dieback, Oak Processionary Moth, Acute Oak Decline, Phytophthora species and Ips typographus continue to challenge the resilience of England's trees and forests.
We are looking for a motivated and organised individual to join the Plant Health Forestry (PHF) team in a unique dual-role position, supporting both outbreak preparedness and the delivery of tree health grant schemes.
The successful candidate will spend approximately half their time supporting contingency planning and incident preparedness activities and half supporting the delivery of the Tree Health Pilot (THP), helping landowners manage tree health threats and recover affected woodland.
Whilst the role is expected to support both preparedness planning and THP delivery, the balance of work will be determined by business need. The postholder should be prepared to work flexibly across both areas, recognising that priorities may shift over time and that weekly allocations may not always reflect an even split between responsibilities.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities
Preparedness, Planning and Outbreak Response
You will support the development of Forestry Commission preparedness arrangements, ensuring systems, plans and guidance are in place to enable an effective response to future tree health incidents.
Responsibilities Will Include:
- Supporting the review and continuous improvement of incident management processes and procedures.
- Assisting with the development, maintenance and testing of preparedness documentation, templates and standard operating procedures.
- Supporting the development and review of pest and disease contingency plans.
- Coordinating updates, comments and version control for contingency planning documents.
- Working with internal and external stakeholders to ensure plans remain practical, accurate and aligned with wider government procedures.
- Supporting preparedness groups, workshops and exercises, including action tracking and follow-up activity.
- Developing and maintaining outbreak response resources, including communications materials, investigation tools and operational guidance.
- Assisting with lessons identified and continuous improvement activities following exercises and incidents.
- Supporting the Planning Manager during incident responses and contributing to Incident Management Teams when activated.
- Undertaking training and professional development relating to contingency planning and incident management.
Communications and Preparedness Resources
You will help strengthen preparedness arrangements by:
- Supporting the development of communications tools and materials for potential outbreaks.
- Contributing to horizon scanning and awareness activities.
- Assisting with pest alerts and preparedness communications.
- Working with colleagues to clarify communications roles, responsibilities and escalation routes during incidents.
- Developing and maintaining outbreak response resources and supporting documentation.
Tree Health Pilot Delivery
You will support the delivery of the Tree Health Pilot grant scheme, helping landowners and land managers access support to manage tree health threats.
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Responsibilities Will Include:
- Assisting with administration and delivery of Tree Health Pilot grants.
- Supporting applicants through the application and claims process.
- Providing guidance on eligibility requirements and scheme processes.
- Monitoring and reporting on scheme delivery and performance.
- Supporting continuous improvement through lessons learned and evaluation activities.
- Providing advice and support to woodland owners and land managers on tree health management, eligible interventions and grant application requirements.
- Working closely with colleagues across the Tree Health Incentives Delivery Team and wider Forestry Commission.
Wider Team Responsibilities
You will also:
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and external partners.
- Contribute to team projects and organisational priorities.
- Maintain accurate records and reporting information.
- Share knowledge and best practice across the Plant Health Forestry network.
- Support improvements to tree health preparedness, response capability and grant delivery.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
You will be able to demonstrate:
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
- Experience of planning, coordinating or administering projects or programmes.
- Experience of working in forestry, environmental land management, grant delivery or a related operational field.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- The ability to build effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
- Good attention to detail and experience managing information and records accurately.
- The ability to analyse information and make practical recommendations.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel and Teams.
- A willingness to learn and develop knowledge of incident management, contingency planning and tree health.
Desirable Criteria
It Would Be Beneficial If You Have:
- Experience of contingency planning, emergency response or incident management.
- Knowledge of plant health, forestry, environmental management or biosecurity.
- Experience of grant administration or scheme delivery.
- Experience of managing woodland and tree health issues or advising woodland owners on woodland management and grant applications.
- Experience of developing guidance, procedures or standard operating processes.
- Knowledge of government or public sector operating environments.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
Salary and Benefits
Alongside your salary of £37,537, Forestry Commission contributes £10,874 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
- 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 year's 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)
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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Selection Process Details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
As part of the application process, you will complete the following:
- A tailored 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 personal statement – in no more than 750 words please provide details of how you meet the criteria of the person specification.
Indicative timeline: Shortlisting to take place w/c 24th August. Interviews are planned for week commencing 7th September 2026. The dates are subject to change.
We will be conducting interviews online using MS Teams. Candidates will need to have access to a suitable computer for an MS Teams meeting.
Further Information
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.
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 circumstances 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.
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 terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant.
Existing Forestry Commission, Forestry England and Forest Research employees are eligible to apply for this Fixed Term Appointment and will only be considered if there is written confirmation from their line manager and HR that their current role will be temporarily backfilled or held open before commencing the application process.
The post is full time, 44 hours per week (operational). 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.
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
Travel options include: Some occasional travel may be required as part of the duties
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