Woodland Officer

The Forestry Commission is seeking dynamic Woodland Officers to help tackle the climate emergency by expanding England’s tree canopy from 14.5% to 16.5% by 2050. As part of a joint programme between Defra and the Forestry Commission, you will be at the heart of an ambitious mission to plant 34,000 hectares of new tree cover by 2028. This role is perfect for passionate land management professionals who want to lead the way in creating resilient, multi-purpose forests while enjoying high staff engagement levels and a flexible, blended working environment.

About the Role

As a Woodland Officer, you are the face of the Forestry Commission within your specific geographic “patch.” You will act as a strategic advisor to landowners, local authorities, and private sector partners, balancing the roles of advocate and regulator. Your work is truly multi-faceted: you will champion new woodlands as natural capital, process grant applications like the England Woodland Creation Offer, and ensure existing forests are protected through the administration of felling licenses and Environmental Impact Assessments. Whether you are investigating unlicensed felling or helping a manager respond to climate-driven pests and diseases, you are the key link in building a diverse and sustainable treescape for England.

Responsibilities

• Expand Woodland Cover: Champion the benefits of new woodlands (carbon sequestration, water quality, and biodiversity) and facilitate the design and delivery of new woodland projects.

• Grant Administration: Process and manage applications for the England Woodland Creation Offer, Countryside Stewardship, and Woodland Tree Health Grants.

• Regulatory Oversight: Administer Forestry Act Felling Licences and Environmental Impact Assessments to ensure all operations meet the UK Forestry Standard.

• Protect & Improve: Support owners in managing pests (such as deer and grey squirrels) and diseases (like Ash dieback), while advising planning authorities on the impact of development on existing trees.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Enthuse and support partners, markets, and the public to appreciate the value of active, resilient woodland management.

Requirements & Skills

• Proven knowledge and experience of upland and/or lowland forestry, with a focus on multifunctional woodland management and creation practice

• A degree or Higher Diploma in a relevant subject such as Forestry/Land Management/ Countryside Management or significant related experience in Forestry or woodland Management

• Good interpersonal and influencing skills demonstrating the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal colleagues and our customers.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Ability to prioritise and manage a varied workload.

• Competent IT user with experience of the MS Office suite of applications.

• Ability to proactively deal with complex and contentious issues relating to people and woodland interests, leading to the delivery of project outcomes and development of work areas as necessary.

Benefits & Working Arrangements

• Flexible Working: Blended work pattern between home and office, covering an assigned geographic area.

• Schedule: The post holder will work 44 hours per week.

• Professional Growth: Opportunities to review national guidance and contribute to high-level environmental policy delivery.

• Culture: Join an organization with engagement levels consistently above the Civil Service average and a deep commitment to staff wellbeing.

The Forestry Commission values expertise and passion. If you are ready to help revolutionize how we reach new stakeholders and secure the future of England’s forests, we want to hear from you.