Nature Networks Project Officer

Westonbirt Arboretum - Forestry England; Pickering; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Holiday entitlement

STaR discounts

Free parking

Free arboretum entry

Career development

Job summary

Westonbirt Arboretum - Forestry England is seeking a Nature Networks Project Officer to lead the development and delivery of Yorkshires Nature Networks initiative. You will plan habitat creation and restoration projects across forests, and coordinate ecological surveys and contractor work.

Based at the Yorkshire Office in Pickering with travel across the estate, fixed-term until 31.03.2029 with potential extension. Salary £33,854 per annum and 37 hours per week.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of Yorkshire District’s Nature Networks project, a key part of Forestry England’s Biodiversity Programme.
• Plan and deliver large-scale habitat creation and restoration projects across Yorkshire’s forests.
• Develop project plans, commission ecological assessments, manage budgets and contracts.

Job description

We live and breathe forests.

Job title – Nature Networks Project Officer

Salary - £33,854 per annum

Hours – 37 hours per week

Vacancy closes - Monday 5th October 2026, 23:58

Job Introduction

We are Forestry England.

We live and breathe forests.

Job title – Nature Networks Project Officer

Salary - £33,854 per annum

Contract type – Fixed Term Appointment, until 31.03.2029, with the possibility of extension or permanency

Hours – 37 hours per week

Vacancy closes - Monday 5th October 2026, 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 a Nature Networks Project Officer to lead the development and delivery of Yorkshire District’s Nature Networks project, a key part of Forestry England’s ambitious Biodiversity Programme. You’ll plan and deliver large-scale habitat creation and restoration projects, transforming roadsides, rides, watercourses and other open spaces into connected wildlife corridors across Yorkshire’s forests.

Working from initial concept through to on-the-ground delivery, you’ll develop project plans, commission ecological assessments, manage budgets and contracts, and work closely with ecologists, foresters and operational teams. A significant part of the role will involve turning plans into reality by coordinating practical habitat management work, grazing, overseeing contractors and developing long-term management approaches that secure lasting benefits for biodiversity.

Working within Yorkshire’s Nature Recovery Team and alongside colleagues across England, you’ll provide project leadership, contribute to innovative approaches for biodiversity recovery, support funding and reporting requirements, and help showcase the impact of nature recovery across the nation’s forests. This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in delivering one of Forestry England’s most significant landscape-scale biodiversity initiatives.

Please see the job description below for more information and details about what we need from you.

Where you’ll work…

The post will initially be based at Forestry England’s Yorkshire Office in Pickering. It will move to the Dalby Forest Office in autumn/winter 2027. Regular travel around Forestry England’s estate in Yorkshire will be required. There will be occasional trips outside of Yorkshire for Forestry England-wide meetings, which may require an overnight stay.

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].

This role is part-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 Resilience 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.

Attached documents

• Forestry England Job Description - Nature Networks Project Officer (PB 5).pdf