At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting biodiversity projects and create wildlife corridors across Yorkshire's forests.
- Company: Join Forestry England, a passionate team dedicated to enhancing our natural environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, a generous pension scheme, and discounts on everyday essentials.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional development and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on nature recovery while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and a passion for biodiversity are essential.
We are Forestry England.
We live and breathe forests.
Salary - £33,854 per annum
Contract type – Fixed Term Appointment, until 31.03.2029, with the possibility of extension or permanency
Hours – 37 hours per week
Vacancy closes - Monday 5th October 2026, 23:58
Join us. We're foresters, professionals and experts. We are a passionate team who love to share our enthusiasm and want to make a positive difference for you and the environment. Together, we’re using our scale and expertise to grow the nation’s forests for everyone. We’re already adapting our landscapes for tomorrow, and getting stuff done today, like creating amazing places and experiences for you to enjoy. We're providing vital homes for wildlife, making our air cleaner to breathe and producing sustainable timber.
What you’ll do...
We’re looking for a Nature Networks Project Officer to lead the development and delivery of Yorkshire District’s Nature Networks project, a key part of Forestry England’s ambitious Biodiversity Programme. You’ll plan and deliver large-scale habitat creation and restoration projects, transforming roadsides, rides, watercourses and other open spaces into connected wildlife corridors across Yorkshire’s forests. Working from initial concept through to on-the-ground delivery, you’ll develop project plans, commission ecological assessments, manage budgets and contracts, and work closely with ecologists, foresters and operational teams. A significant part of the role will involve turning plans into reality by coordinating practical habitat management work, grazing, overseeing contractors and developing long-term management approaches that secure lasting benefits for biodiversity. Working within Yorkshire’s Nature Recovery Team and alongside colleagues across England, you’ll provide project leadership, contribute to innovative approaches for biodiversity recovery, support funding and reporting requirements, and help showcase the impact of nature recovery across the nation’s forests. This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in delivering one of Forestry England’s most significant landscape-scale biodiversity initiatives.
Where you’ll work...
The post will initially be based at Forestry England’s Yorkshire Office in Pickering. It will move to the Dalby Forest Office in autumn/winter 2027. Regular travel around Forestry England’s estate in Yorkshire will be required. There will be occasional trips outside of Yorkshire for Forestry England-wide meetings, which may require an overnight stay.
Benefits...
- Alongside your salary, Forestry England contributes an average of 28.97% towards your pension. You will become a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.
- 25 days holiday a year, raising by one day every year’s service, up to 30 days (pro-rated for part time employees) plus additional days off such as bank holidays.
- STaR is our employee benefits scheme offering discounts on everyday supermarket shopping, as well as other things such as hotel stays, clothes, mobile phones, other electrical items, medical and car insurance, holidays, gym discounts, household bills, Headspace wellbeing app.
- Free parking at Forestry England sites and free entry to our National Arboretums at Westonbirt and Bedgebury.
- A commitment to lifelong learning through career development. Forestry England will support your career development in a variety of ways, including continual professional development, support for individual learning plans and sponsored membership of professional bodies.
How to apply...
We cannot accept applications via email. Please follow the steps outlined below. Any CVs and/or personal statements sent outside the system will not be considered for shortlisting. You will be asked to write a 200 word statement on your relevant experience and career history, along with a personal statement of no more than 500 words. You will be assessed on both during sifting. More details about how to apply are listed on the application form.
The Behaviours being assessed at interview are –
- Seeing the big picture
- Working together
- Delivering at pace
- Making effective decisions
If candidates pass the interview but are not the leading candidate they can be placed on a reserve list. We may offer candidates on the reserve list for this role the opportunity to be considered for other roles at the same or lower pay bands. Successful candidates will undergo a criminal record check and the government baseline personnel security standard check. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please email fcrecruitmentteam@forestryengland.uk.
If you're planning to use AI to support your application, please ensure you've read our guidelines here first. Read more about our application process and working with us on the Forestry England website.
Nationality requirements...
Read more about nationality requirements here.
Working for the Civil Service...
Forestry England is part of the Civil Service. The Civil Service has a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS). This means candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria during the application process will be guaranteed an interview. We also offer a Redeployment Interview Scheme to current civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the role. This role is also part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans and Prison Leaver Recruitment initiative. Within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to provide conversation in accurate spoken English.
Our recruitment process makes appointments based on fair and open competition and merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in in line with/according to these principles and you wish to make a complaint, please email: englandhr.services@forestryengland.uk.
This role is part-funded by DEFRA rather than through Forestry England generated revenue, and is therefore subject to government spending reviews. While DEFRA has indicated long term support for the Resilience Programme and we expect funding to continue, it is possible that funding levels may change at the end of any financial year depending on DEFRA’s budget allocations. In the event of funding changes, we would prioritise retaining staff posts wherever possible. This approach is consistent for roles within publicly funded organisations. We are committed to keeping staff informed and supported through any changes.
Nature Networks Project Officer employer: Forest Camping Limited
Forestry England is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. Located in the picturesque Forest of Dean, our team enjoys a range of benefits including generous holiday allowances, a robust pension scheme, and access to discounts through our STaR employee benefits programme. Join us in making a positive impact on the environment while enjoying a fulfilling career with opportunities for lifelong learning.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nature Networks Project Officer
✨Get Involved in Local Projects
Dive into community projects or volunteer opportunities related to environmental engineering. Not only will this boost your experience, but it can also put you in touch with local professionals who might know of temporary roles. Plus, it's a great way to show your passion for the field!
✨Use Industry-Specific Platforms
Check out platforms like EnvironmentJobs or Ecotricity for temporary positions. These sites focus specifically on environmental roles and can give you a leg up in finding short-term gigs that match your skills.
✨Network at Environmental Events
Keep an eye out for local environmental tech meetups, conferences, or seminars. Engaging in these spaces can help you meet potential employers face-to-face and tap into the hidden job market, especially for temporary roles!
✨Leverage Our Website for Quick Applications
Don’t forget to check out temporary positions at Forest Camping Limited through our website. Applying directly there can often fast-track your application and get you noticed quicker by hiring managers. It’s a smart move to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Nature Networks Project Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:In the world of environmental engineering tech, it’s all about those technical skills! Make sure your CV highlights relevant software knowledge, such as CAD programs or environmental modelling software. Mention any specific projects where you applied these skills – it's a brilliant way to demonstrate your hands-on experience!
Tailor Your CV to the Job:Don’t just send out a generic CV. Take a little time to tailor it for the temporary role with Forest Camping Limited. Focus on highlighting any experience that relates directly to the specific environmental challenges they might tackle. Relevant coursework or certifications, even if they're from a short course, can give you an edge.
Keep it Short and Sweet:Since this is a temporary position, we recommend keeping your application concise. Highlight the most relevant experience and how quickly you can adapt to the role. Brief statements about your adaptability and eagerness to contribute can make a solid impression!
Brief Motivation in Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should express not just your qualifications but also your enthusiasm for the role at Forest Camping Limited. Explain why you’re drawn to the temporary nature of the job and what you hope to learn. This helps show that you’re not just looking for any position, but that you genuinely care about this opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Forest Camping Limited
✨Get Familiar with Key Engineering Tools
In environmental engineering tech, you’ll likely be quizzed on software tools like AutoCAD or GIS systems. Brush up on how you’ve used these tools in your studies or previous projects, as you might be asked technical questions that require you to explain specific applications in real-world scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Temporary positions often require quick thinking and adaptability. Be ready to discuss a project or case where you identified an environmental issue and proposed a solution. This not only highlights your analytical skills but shows you can hit the ground running—exactly what a temporary role needs!
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sustainability
Since we’re in the environmental sector, your enthusiasm for sustainable practices can be a game changer. Share any relevant coursework or volunteer activities you've engaged in that reflect your commitment. Employers love to see passion combined with practical experience.
✨Prepare for Short-Term Commitment Questions
For a temporary role, expect questions about your availability and how you manage time effectively on short-term projects. Be candid about your specific time commitment and illustrate how you've successfully completed previous assignments or internships within tight deadlines.
