Communications Officer

Westonbirt Arboretum - Forestry England; Coleford; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension

25 days holiday

Discounts with STaR scheme

Free parking

Free entry to Westonbirt NST arboretum

Career development support

Job summary

Westonbirt Arboretum - Forestry England in Gloucestershire is seeking an experienced Communications Officer to lead proactive and reactive communications across the Forest of Dean and surrounding areas. You will develop content, manage media relations and support Forestry England's objectives, working with colleagues and partners to tell our forest stories responsibly.

The role is based in Coleford with some home working, 22.5 hours per week, until 1 September 2029, offering a pro rata salary of

Job description

Job Introduction

We are Forestry England.

We live and breathe forests.

Job title – Communications Officer

Salary – £33,854 pro rata

Contract type – Fixed term until 1st September 2029, with the possibility of extension or permanency but this cannot be guaranteed

Hours – 22.5 hours per week

Vacancy closes – Monday 9th November 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 an experienced Communications Officer to lead and deliver communications across the Forest of Dean, helping tell the story of one of England's oldest and most unique forests.

We are looking for someone who has a strong communications background and a love for the Forest of Dean to continue the positive work of telling the rich story of the Forest. You will be responsible for developing and delivering proactive and reactive communications that support organisational objectives, promote Forestry England's work, and help build public understanding of how we manage the nation's forests sustainably.

The role involves working closely with our wider marketing and communications team, colleagues in operational roles and a range of partners to identify opportunities, develop content, manage media relations, and ensure consistent messaging across a range of channels.

Where you’ll work…

This role will be based in our office in Coleford, Gloucestershire.

Some home working would be considered but you will need to spend the majority of time in the office or on-site.

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.

Read more about the benefits 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: [e-mail].

Attached documents

• Forestry England Job description - Communications Officer (PB5).pdf