At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead land acquisition for new woodlands, shaping England's landscapes and promoting sustainability.
- Company: Forestry England, a leader in environmental programmes and woodland management.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with a focus on creating sustainable green spaces across England.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on climate change and biodiversity through your surveying expertise.
- Qualifications: Chartered Surveyor with experience in rural land acquisition and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 48765 - 52557 £ per year.
I'm delighted to be partnering with Forestry England to recruit a Senior Surveyor for their National Woodland Creation Team. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced Chartered Surveyor to play a leading role in one of the UK's most ambitious environmental programmes, helping to create approximately 1,000 hectares of new woodland every year until 2030.
Forestry England is responsible for growing and managing the nation's forests, delivering sustainable timber production, biodiversity gains, carbon sequestration and greater public access to green spaces. As a Senior Surveyor, you'll be at the forefront of this programme, identifying and securing land acquisition opportunities that will shape England's future landscapes.
The Opportunity
This is a commercially focused role with significant strategic impact. You'll lead on the acquisition of rural land across England, managing transactions from initial identification through to legal completion. Working closely with landowners, agents, legal advisors, forestry specialists and government stakeholders, you'll assess opportunities, negotiate purchase terms and ensure acquisitions deliver both value for money and long-term environmental benefits. This is a fast-paced role as part of an intense programme with ambitious targets. The role can be based from any Forestry England office nationwide, with a blended home-working arrangement and occasional travel across England, including some overnight stays.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify and secure on-market and off-market rural land acquisition opportunities
- Build and maintain strong relationships with land agents and professional stakeholders across England
- Working collaboratively with the Woodland Creation and local area teams in assessing site suitability and acquisition
- Undertake due diligence and assess land suitability for woodland creation projects
- Make recommendations on acquisitions to senior leaders and Defra
- Negotiate commercial terms for land and property acquisitions within programme budgets
- Work alongside legal advisors to manage transactions through to successful completion
- Identify and mitigate legal, commercial and operational risks
- Negotiate and renew leases, licences and other agreements supporting woodland establishment
- Undertake valuation work for internal purposes
- Provide surveying expertise across the woodland creation programme
- Advise operational teams on land agency, property and legal matters
- Implement financial controls and reporting requirements
- Represent Forestry England at regional and national level, promoting the Woodland Creation Programme and building stakeholder support
- Support wider estate management activities across the National Estates Team where required
About You
We're keen to speak with experienced Chartered Surveyors who can demonstrate:
- Significant experience in rural land acquisition, estate management or general practice surveying
- A successful track record in land transactions and commercial negotiations
- Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence at all levels
- Experience of working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams
- Strong commercial awareness and problem-solving abilities
- The ability to work independently while managing multiple projects
Essential Qualifications
- Professional membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (AssocRICS, MRICS or FRICS)
- Degree (or equivalent) in Rural Estate Management or a related discipline
Desirable Experience & Qualifications
- Registered Valuer status (RICS)
- Fellow of the Association of Agricultural Valuers
- Experience using GIS systems
- Knowledge of woodland creation and sustainable forest management
- Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office
Benefits
In addition to a competitive salary, Forestry England offers an outstanding benefits package, including:
- Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme with an employer contribution of approximately 28.97%
- 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days with service, plus bank holidays
- Flexible and blended working arrangements
- Employee discounts through the STaR benefits scheme
- Free parking at Forestry England sites
- Free entry to Westonbirt and Bedgebury National Arboretums
- Ongoing professional development and CPD support
- Sponsored membership of relevant professional bodies
- Access to wellbeing resources, including the Headspace app
Why Apply?
This is an opportunity to use your surveying expertise for something bigger than a transaction. Every acquisition you complete will contribute to the creation of new forests that support biodiversity, tackle climate change, improve public access to nature and create sustainable woodland resources for future generations. If you're a Chartered Surveyor looking for a role that combines commercial property expertise with genuine environmental impact, I'd love to hear from you.
To discuss the role, express interest, or request the full briefing pack, please get in touch.
All third party and direct applications will be forwarded to Beach Baker Recruitment for review.
Senior Surveyor in England employer: Forestry England
Forestry England is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises health and well-being while fostering a deep connection with nature. As a Forest Wellness & Activity Coordinator, you will benefit from a generous holiday allowance, pension contributions, and opportunities for professional growth within a supportive team dedicated to lifelong learning.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Surveyor in England
✨Get Your Boots Dirty
Temporary roles in the agricultural and forestry sciences often require hands-on experience. Consider volunteering at local farms or forestry projects to gain practical skills and make connections in the field. Who knows, a casual chat with a site manager might just land you your next gig!
✨Tap Into Local Networks
Farmers' markets, agricultural fairs, and community gardening events are goldmines for networking in this field. Attend these events to meet folks who might need extra hands on projects, especially during peak seasons. Show your enthusiasm, and you could score a temporary job just by being in the right place!
✨Keep an Eye on Seasonal Hiring
Many agricultural roles peak during certain seasons, so timing is everything! Research when local farms or forestry organisations are ramping up their workforce and be ready to apply as soon as they announce openings. We recommend keeping an eye on their websites and social media pages for immediate updates.
✨Don’t Forget Online Platforms
Even though temporary jobs often come from local connections, don’t underestimate online job boards specifically focused on agriculture and forestry. Websites like Farm Jobs, AgCareers, and even local job boards are a must for quick applications. If you see a role you like, jump on it and check out our website to apply easily!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Surveyor in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in the agricultural and forestry sciences, make sure to highlight any hands-on experience you’ve had in the field. Whether it’s internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs, showcase how your experiences align with the specific demands of the role at Forestry England.
Mention Any Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications related to agriculture, forestry, or environmental sciences, flaunt them! These can set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about your expertise. Include these in your CV or cover letter to impress Forestry England.
Reflect Your Availability and Flexibility:Given that it’s a temporary position, it’s super important to communicate your availability clearly. Share your start date and any flexibility you might have with your working hours right in your CV or cover letter. This will help Forestry England see you as a great fit for their needs!
Tailor Your Application Style:For a temporary role, you don’t need to go overboard with fancy language. Keep your CV and cover letter clear and concise, focusing on your passion for the agricultural sector. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets the right attention at Forestry England!
How to prepare for a job interview at Forestry England
✨Highlight Your Practical Experience
In agricultural and forestry sciences, hands-on experience is a big deal. Make sure to share examples from your studies or any previous roles where you worked directly with plants, animals, or sustainable practices. Give us the juicy details about your contributions and outcomes; it shows your readiness for the field.
✨Prepare for Practical Assessment
Many interviews in our sector might involve some form of practical assessment or scenarios. Brush up on your knowledge of species identification, soil analysis, or even basic pest management techniques. Being able to demonstrate your skills live can make you stand out, especially in a temporary role!
✨Showcase Adaptability and Learning Agility
Temporary roles are often about jumping in and getting up to speed quickly. Make sure to communicate how quickly you can adapt to new environments or learn new techniques. Share any experiences where you had to adjust rapidly and the positive results that followed.
✨Discuss Your Passion for Sustainability
With the focus on sustainability in agriculture and forestry, share your enthusiasm for eco-friendly practices and innovations. Talk about any projects, research, or even personal interests that align with sustainable agriculture. This passion can be a big plus for those looking to hire temporary workers who can contribute positively to current initiatives.
