Civil Service in Ludlow

Role Overview

Operational Delivery

Work with Beat teams and District staff to ensure operational plans and recreational activities comply with protected species legislation and provide advice on a range of ecological constraints and opportunities. Through the completion of wildlife surveys and assessments inform project managers of wildlife constraints and opportunities associated with forest and management interventions. Foster a positive team working relationship so as to inspire and engage everyone to drive beneficial change for the benefit of wildlife. Be open and realistic as to the challenges inherent in the business, promoting transparency and constructive dialogue.

Responsibilities

• Habitat Management and Enhancement: Plan and deliver habitat management across key sites including statutory designated sites, ancient woodland and priority habitats. Use forest operations as an opportunity to enhance habitat condition and connectivity through collaboration with the Beat teams. Support the Forest Planning team with preparing Forest Plan revisions and management plans by using local and expert knowledge to inform management decisions. Identify, develop and implement nature restoration projects ensuring readiness for funding opportunities and supporting both existing and new initiatives. Monitor strategic ecological monitoring and analysis, contributing to evidence‑based decision making and natural capital approaches.
• Permissions, Volunteers and Contract Management: Collaborate and build relationships with stakeholders including statutory bodies, NGOs, academic institutions and community groups to support sustainable forest management. Advise Permissions and Beat teams through consultation process on the suitability of permission applications. Manage volunteers and work with contractors and partner organisations to achieve shared objectives. Utilising existing groups and agreements engage with and facilitate groups and individuals to aid habitat management and species monitoring. Proactively liaise with communications and marketing colleagues so as to champion success and promote our work.

Eligible Applicants

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the EUSS
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Essential Professional and Technical Experience

• Good wildlife identification skills, especially for protected species
• Experience or an understanding of forestry and woodland management
• Up-to-date knowledge of environmental legislation, particularly biodiversity, and experience of its application to land management
• Excellent team and partnership working, with a track record of interdisciplinary working and with experience balancing ecological requirements with commercial and social objectives
• Competent IT user with experience in MS Office suite of applications

Desirable Professional and Technical Experience

• Experience monitoring schedule 1 birds, particularly raptors
• Experience or understanding of the UK forestry sector, the UK Forestry Standard and UKWAS certification
• Experience of managing small nature recovery projects
• Good knowledge of biodiversity net gain and/or experience of the planning system

Qualifications

• Essential: The successful applicant is very likely to have a degree or equivalent in ecology, nature conservation or environmental management or comparable experience.
• Desirable: Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
• Desirable: European protected species licences (EPS)
• Desirable: Schedule 1 licence

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Behaviours Assessed

• Working Together
• Delivering At Pace
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Learning and Development
• Flexible Working
• Diversity and Inclusion

Contract and Working Hours

The position is a 3‑year fixed‑term appointment with the possibility, but no guarantee, of extension or permanency. It is a full‑time post: 37 hours per week. Normal working hours are Monday to Thursday 08:30 am to 05:00 pm with an hour lunch break; Friday 08:30 am to 04:30 pm with an hour lunch break. Friday hours can be worked flexibly by agreement.

Salary and Benefits

Salary: £30,105 per year. Forestry Commission contributes £8,721 towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Other benefits include learning and development tailored to your role, flexible working options, and an employer contribution of 28.97% to the pension scheme. Candidates may be placed on a reserve list if not the leading candidate. Successful candidates will undergo a criminal record check and the government baseline personnel security standard check.