Forestry England
Visitor Services Officer
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Visitor Services Officer
Job title – Visitor Services Officer
Salary – £26,959 per annum
Contract type – Permanent
Hours – 37 hours per week
Location – Based at Beechenhurst, GL16 7EL – working across the Forest of Dean
Vacancy closes – 24th July 2026, 23:58
About Forestry England
We live and breathe forests. We're foresters, professionals and experts. As Forestry England, we form a passionate team who love to share our knowledge and make a positive difference for both people and the environment.
Using our scale and expertise, we’re:
- Growing the nation’s forests for everyone
- Creating amazing places and experiences for visitors to enjoy
- Providing vital homes for wildlife
- Making our air cleaner to breathe
- Producing sustainable timber
About the Role
As a Visitor Services Officer, you will contribute to delivering an exceptional visitor experience at Beechenhurst, a busy visitor site in the heart of the Forest of Dean. Alongside this, you will support the wider team in maintaining visitor facilities and trails, ensuring a smooth, inclusive, and enjoyable experience for all visitors.
Key Responsibilities
You will:
- Help deliver outstanding visitor services, ensuring guests leave with lasting memories.
- Foster a supportive and positive work environment that encourages teamwork, productivity and individual growth.
- Take opportunities to promote Forestry England’s work, including:
- Participation in events
- Membership programs
- Legacy giving initiatives
- Volunteering recruitment
The role is dynamic, with demands varying widely each day. You’ll need to be:
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✔ Resilient and adaptable ✔ Prepared to handle challenging and unpredictable situations ✔ Embrace multiple tasks, such as:
- Outdoor operations (year-round in all weather)
- Travel through the forest via foot, bike, and vehicles (both on- and off-road)
- Physically demanding tasks
Benefits
Forestry England offers a competitive benefits package:
- Pension contribution: Averaging 28.97% towards your pension.
- Annual leave: 25+ days, increasing by one day each year (up to 30 days, pro-rated for part-time).
- Additional paid days (e.g., bank holidays where applicable).
- STaR employee benefits scheme:
- Supermarket discounts
- Discounts on holidays, gyms, household bills, and insurance policies
- Access to mobile phones, electrical goods, medical insurance, and Headspace wellbeing app
- Support for clothing purchases and accommodation
- Parking: Free parking at Forestry England sites
- Free entry: National Arboretums at Westonbirt and Bedgebury
- Career development: Commitment to lifelong learning through:
- Professional development
- Support for individual learning plans
- Sponsorship for professional body memberships
How to Apply
To apply:
- Submit two written statements:
- A 200-word statement detailing your relevant experience and career history.
- A personal statement (max. 500 words) showcasing suitable skills.
- You will be sifted based on these statements.
Interview Assessment
Following shortlisting, you will face an interview based on your experience and behaviour. Four key behaviours will be assessed:
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- Working together
- Communicating and influencing
- Delivering at pace
- Making effective decisions
Additional Process Steps
- A criminal record check will be carried out for all successful candidates.
- Applicants must pass the government baseline personnel security standard checks.
Reasonable Adjustments: If you require any accommodation during the process, please email fcrecruitmentteam@forestryengland.uk.
AI Warning
If you are using AI during your application, read Forestry England’s guidelines here first.
Civil Service Requirements
It is a mandatory requirement under Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 that applicants can conversationally speak accurate English.
Forestry England operates under the Civil Service Disability Confident Scheme (DCS). As part of this scheme, this role offers:
- Guaranteed interviews to applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria
- A redeployment option for current civil servants at risk of redundancy
Additionally, the position supports the Great Place to Work for Veterans and Prison Leaver Recruitment initiative.
Fairness and Complaints
The recruitment process aligns with Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles. If you disagree with decision fairness or request to explore a complaint, please contact: englandhr.services@forestryengland.uk.
Next Steps
Read more about:
- Our application process
- What it’s like to work with us by visiting the Forestry England website.
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