At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us in restoring vital habitats and enhancing biodiversity in the beautiful New Forest.
- Company: Be part of Forestry England, a passionate team dedicated to environmental conservation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, a generous pension scheme, and discounts on everyday essentials.
- Other info: Great career development opportunities and a supportive work environment await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on nature recovery while working in stunning landscapes.
- Qualifications: Experience in habitat restoration or environmental management is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 28400 - 38300 £ per year.
Salary – £33,854
Contract type – 3‑year fixed‑term appointment with potential for permanency
Hours – 37 hours per week
Vacancy closes – 29 March 2026 23:58
We are Forestry England. We live and breathe forests. Join us. 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, 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.
Forestry England’s Biodiversity Plan sets out a bold ambition of nature recovery in the nation’s forests. Working across five principal focus areas, Forestry England aims to restore resilient biodiversity in the nation’s forests, delivering our vision to ensure that these forests provide the most valuable places for wildlife to thrive and expand in England. The New Forest embodies all this work with one of the largest HLS schemes, delivering innovative nature recovery to restore vital habitats and see species recover.
What You’ll Do…
The successful candidate will join the Higher‑Level Stewardship (HLS) project team based in the New Forest. The team plans and delivers landscape‑scale habitat restoration projects with external funding from the New Forest HLS scheme. The Verderer’s of the New Forest HLS scheme focuses on restoring and enhancing internationally important habitats, renowned for their flora and fauna, and covering around 20,000 hectares. As a Habitat Restoration Officer you will play a vital role in planning and delivering habitat restoration projects in the New Forest.
Where you’ll work…
Based at the King’s House, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, SO43 7NH in the South District team. Our South England Forest District team is made up of around 160 people, containing a diverse range of roles – from wildlife rangers and ecologists to marketing professionals – all contributing towards the management of 46,000 hectares (ha) of public forest estate and national parks that stretch from Sussex to Dorset, and from Berkshire to the Isle of Wight. Much of this forest is of high national importance for nature conservation and wildlife, and of international importance for biodiversity. South England Forest District is therefore responsible for land that includes Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Ramsar sites, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
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 each 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…
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. You will be assessed on your experience, a technical skill and strength‑based questions during your interview. The behaviours being assessed at interview are – Making Effective Decision, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together, Changing and Improving.
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 line with/according to these principles and you wish to make a complaint, please email: englandhr.services@forestryengland.uk.
Habitat Restoration Officer in Lyndhurst 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 Habitat Restoration Officer in Lyndhurst
✨Dive into Environmental Networks
Get involved with sustainability-focused organisations and attend their events. Look for local meetups or conferences in environmental management where you can connect with professionals in the field. This can lead to insider info on job openings at companies like Forestry England that might not be advertised widely.
✨Show Your Passion with Projects
Consider undertaking personal or community projects that highlight your dedication to sustainability. Whether it's a local clean-up or a carbon footprint assessment, document your findings and results. This not only boosts your portfolio but also shows potential employers like Forestry England that you're proactive and serious about the field.
✨Seek Out Green Job Boards
Don’t just rely on general job boards. Explore specific platforms that focus on sustainability and environmental management roles. Websites like EnvironmentJobs and Sustainable Business can be goldmines for full-time positions at companies like Forestry England. Keep an eye out for their aggregation of listings!
✨Let Your Online Presence Shine
Make sure your social media and professional profiles reflect your passion for sustainability. Share articles, engage in discussions, and connect with leaders in the field. Your active presence can make a lasting impression on hiring managers at companies like Forestry England when they search for candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Habitat Restoration Officer in Lyndhurst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sustainability:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sustainability shine through. Share any relevant experiences, like projects, volunteer work, or events you've participated in that align with Forestry England's values. This position isn't just about meeting qualifications; it's about genuinely caring for the environment and showing us why you're the right fit for Habitat Restoration Officer.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications and Experience:Make sure to showcase any specific qualifications, such as degrees in environmental science or certifications in sustainability practices in your CV. We want to see how your academic background and practical experiences align with the job you're applying for, so don’t hold back on anything that demonstrates your expertise in environmental management.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:As we're looking for someone to jump into a full-time role, be specific about previous roles or projects that demonstrate your capabilities in sustainability. Use bullet points to make accomplishments clear, and don’t forget to quantify your achievements wherever possible – it’s all about showing us the impact of your work!
Research Forestry England and Reflect It In Your Application:We love candidates who take the time to understand what we're about. Mention specific initiatives or projects that Forestry England is known for in your cover letter. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely excited about the chance to contribute to our mission in the role of Habitat Restoration Officer.
How to prepare for a job interview at Forestry England
✨Brush Up on Environmental Legislation
Given that we're diving into sustainability and environmental management, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of current environmental laws and regulations. Be prepared to discuss how these laws apply to real-world scenarios, as you might face some technical questions about compliance and best practices during your chat with Forestry England.
✨Showcase Your Experience with Sustainability Projects
When you're discussing your background, highlight specific sustainability initiatives you've been involved in. Whether it’s a project at university or work experience, sharing measurable outcomes and your role will demonstrate your hands-on skills, which is super important for this full-time role at Forestry England.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Software
Make sure you're familiar with any relevant tools or software commonly used in environmental management, like GIS for mapping or data analysis tools. Bring this up in your interview as it shows you’re not only passionate but also prepared to roll up your sleeves and get to work!
✨Connect Your Values with the Company's Mission
Full-time roles are all about team fit, so it’s important to align your personal values with those of Forestry England. Be ready to discuss why you're passionate about sustainability and how you can contribute to their mission, as this will really resonate with the interviewers and show that you’re genuinely invested in their goals.
