Ips typographus Field Surveillance Officer

Government Recruitment Service; Tonbridge; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Government Recruitment Service is seeking an Ips typographus Support Officer in Tonbridge to assist with detecting, containing and eradicating Ips typographus outbreaks in the south-east of England. You will work under the Ips typographus Project Officer on fieldwork, data collection and surveillance operations.

The role offers varied environmental fieldwork with opportunities to develop expertise in pest surveillance, biosecurity and statutory notices, with a temporary contract and a salary of

Responsibilities

• Support the Ips typographus Project Officer in delivering England's eradication response to Ips typographus.
• Carry out ground-level surveillance of vulnerable spruce stands, with intensified fieldwork activities during spring and summer seasons.
• Assist with the deployment and checking of pheromone traps and carry out targeted ground-inspection following trap catches, in collaboration with Forest Research.
• Collect, record and validate field data on surveillance findings, pest distributions and outbreak status, maintaining accurate and audit-ready records.
• Support the administration of inspections for spruce felling, movement and processing authorisations, helping to maintain up-to-date records and ensuring documentation is complete.
• Assist with the coordination of Statutory Plant Health Notices (SPHNs) by supporting communications with landowners, agents and contractors regarding legal requirements and biosecurity obligations.
• Support contractors delivering surveillance, sanitation and control measures on site, reporting progress and issues to Project Officers.
• Engage with local landowners and forestry sector contacts to support the proactive spruce removal objective in high-risk areas, promoting good biosecurity practice at site visits.
• Input field data into reporting systems and assist in preparing timely reports on surveillance, eradication outcomes and operational activity to support Project Officer decision-making.
• Assist with the delivery of training sessions and preparation of guidance materials for forestry workers, contractors and partner agencies.
• Support FC and government R&D initiatives including remote sensing, debarking-equipment trials and canine detection studies.

Job description

Government Recruitment Service is seeking an Ips typographus Support Officer in Tonbridge to assist with detecting, containing and eradicating Ips typographus outbreaks in the south-east of England. You will work under the Ips typographus Project Officer on fieldwork, data collection and surveillance operations.

The role offers varied environmental fieldwork with opportunities to develop expertise in pest surveillance, biosecurity and statutory notices, with a temporary contract and a salary of