Spatial Analyst

The Forestry Commission increases the value of woodlands to society and the environment. Our work with England’s trees, woodlands and forests is vital to helping tackle climate change and providing a much-needed sanctuary for people and wildlife. Our government is committed to increasing tree canopy and woodland cover to at least 16.5% of total land area by 2050, and restoring or creating more than 500,000 hectares of a range of wildlife-rich habitats outside protected sites by 2042. We aim to expand, protect, improve and connect woodlands across the country.

If you are passionate about the role of trees, woodlands and forestry in creating a better future for England and want to play a key part in realising that, we want to hear from you. This role is located in Forest Services’ (FS) Strategy and Transformation Team which enables FS staff to do their best work. This role is in the Economics, Evidence and Analysis team which provides a range of analytical multi-profession support. The team supports colleagues in forestry policy, grants and regulations and front-line delivery across England.

We are looking for a Spatial Analyst to produce, deliver and advise on geospatial data, maps, statistics, and data visualisation across Forest Services. The role will focus on using geographical and statistical evidence and analysis to support work on any of the Forestry Commission’s aims and goals for the natural environment, people and economy. You will be guided and supported by the team leadership as well as working closely with customers across the organisation. You will liaise regularly with stakeholders in Forest Research and beyond.

The successful candidate for this post will be competent working with geospatial data, producing high quality maps and statistics, well able to carefully follow professional processes and communicate accurate, relevant and timely evidence. You will need a diplomatic and positive approach to the work to build and maintain relationships with all stakeholders. Problem solving will be needed to define, document and implement a range of short term and some larger analytical projects with precision. The post holder will be responsible, able to think carefully through, agree and carry out analytical projects.

Tasks will include computing, collating, quality assuring, managing, analysing, documenting and aptly presenting geospatial and statistical data and metadata. Tasks will principally use geographical information systems (ESRI ArcGIS), spreadsheets and data visualisation techniques to serve customers, putting their needs at the heart of everything you do.

Key work areas:

• Work with others and self-reliantly to plan, agree and conduct bespoke desktop GIS and statistical analyses for Forest Services customers, using GIS software (including ESRI ArcGIS and Python), office software (including MS Excel & MS Word) and delivering appropriate visualisations in maps, tables and text to agreed timescales and professional standards (some MS PowerBI).
• Work across the Forestry Commission and sometimes Defra group computing, collating, quality assuring, managing, analysing, documenting and aptly presenting geospatial and statistical data and metadata.
• Help manage data for our enterprise-wide GIS systems and data sharing and licensing.
• Contribute to Forestry Commission Official Statistics and management information and to other analyses for the FC in support of its goals.
• Support policy and delivery colleagues by giving technical advice on policy questions at meetings.

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