Species Recovery Officer – Carnivore Projects Coordinator

Species Recovery Officer – Carnivore Projects Coordinator

Temporary 33854 - 33854 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Forestry England

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead exciting carnivore recovery projects and collaborate with passionate teams across England.
  • Company: Join Forestry England, a dedicated team committed to restoring nature and biodiversity.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, discounts on everyday shopping, and support for your career development.
  • Other info: Flexible hybrid working and opportunities for professional growth await you.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on wildlife recovery while working in beautiful forests.
  • Qualifications: Experience in project coordination and a passion for wildlife conservation.

The predicted salary is between 33854 - 33854 £ per year.

We are Forestry England. 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…

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. Established in 2022, Forestry England’s Forest Wilding Programme brings together two of these focus areas as part of a co‑ordinated effort to deliver a step‑change in nature recovery. Our species recovery work focuses on the reintroduction of key influential species, such as beaver, wildcat, pine marten, white‑tailed eagle and wood ants. Alongside this nationwide effort, we have established Wild Areas on over 16,000ha of the nation’s forests, bringing innovative approaches together with a sound evidence base to shift our land management to restore and enhance natural processes. The Forest Wilding Programme currently manages a range of carnivore projects across England. Pine marten recovery is a key strand of work, with reintroduction projects at feasibility and post‑release stages and recovery projects monitoring martens as they naturally recolonise. Two wildcat projects form the remainder of the carnivore activity, both at feasibility phase. This post will play a critical role in coordinating nationally and supporting these projects, working with District teams, project partners, Natural England and academic partners to ensure the successful reintroduction and recovery of carnivores across England.

Where you’ll work…

Any Forestry England office, with hybrid home working available. Travel across England will be required.

Benefits…

  • 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 – Working Together, Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture. You may also be assessed on Experience, Strength based questions, and/or the Technical Success Profile at the interview. The technical element could include a presentation, practical or written task. 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.

In the event of a high number of applications, a pre-sift may be carried out. 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 these principles and you wish to make a complaint, please email: englandhr.services@forestryengland.uk.

This role is 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 Biodiversity 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.

Species Recovery Officer – Carnivore Projects Coordinator 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.

Forestry England

Contact Details:

Forestry England Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Species Recovery Officer – Carnivore Projects Coordinator

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 Forestry England 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 Species Recovery Officer – Carnivore Projects Coordinator

Project Coordination
Biodiversity Management
Species Reintroduction
Stakeholder Engagement
Data Monitoring
Field Research
Communication Skills

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 Forestry England. 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 Forestry England. 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 Forestry England

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.