Regulations and Incentives Support Officer

FORESTRY COMMISSION; Tonbridge; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Forestry Commission Forest Services are the government's forestry experts. We seek a dynamic individual with forestry or land management experience to support Woodland Officers across South East and London.

The role involves travel with overnight stays and a fixed term appointment to 30/03/2028. You will champion woodland expansion, advise on grants, and help ensure regulatory compliance while collaborating with owners, agents and partners to unlock woodland opportunities for people, environment

Qualifications

• Experience in forestry and/or land management.
• Willingness to travel with overnight stays.

Responsibilities

• Expand woodland cover by supporting design and delivery of new woodlands and advising on woodland creation grants.
• Assist with administration of forestry regulations, including felling licences, EIA and related processes.
• Advise on links with other legislation and regulatory compliance for woodland management.
• Engage with woodland owners, agents and stakeholders to provide appropriate advice and enforcement where needed.

Job description

Forestry Commission Forest Services are the Government's forestry experts. We advise nationally and locally on how to unlock the full potential of woodlands and support the forestry sector to protect, improve and expand England's valuable woodland assets, ensuring that they continue to provide benefits to people, the environment and the economy. We are currently seeking a dynamic individual, ideally with experience in forestry and/or land management, who can learn quickly and have the ability to inspire and motivate others. The Area Regulations and Incentives Support Officer role supports and assists Woodland Officers as required, throughout the South East and London area. The role involves engaging with woodland owners, agents and other stakeholders to provide appropriate advice and the enforcement of Forestry and Tree Health Regulations. The post includes the need to travel and will include some long journeys and overnight stays both within and outside the South East and London area. This post is a Fixed Term Appointment until 30/03/2028 with the possibility that they will be extended or become permanent. Purpose of the Job: 1. Expand Woodland Cover:

• Champion the multiple benefits of new woodland as business opportunities for land owner and as natural capital (including biodiversity, water quality, flood management, carbon sequestration, etc) for the wider environment and society.
• Assist Woodland Officers in facilitating the design and delivery of new woodlands optimising the benefits they can deliver to the owner and as natural capital.
• Assist Woodland Officers in the administration of the forestry Regulations relating to woodland creation (Environmental Impact Assessment)
• Assist Woodland Officers to administer/process applications for grants.
2. Protect our Existing Trees and Woodlands:
• Support Woodland Officers in the administration of Forestry Regulations including; Forestry Act - Felling Licences, Alleged Illegal Felling, Environmental Impact Assessments - deforestation, forest roads and forest quarries and Habitats Regulations - re forest operations within Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation to ensure that tree felling is carried out in accordance with the principles of the UK Forestry Standard.
• Advise on the links with other legislation such as those pertaining to European Protected Species.
3. Improve the condition and resilience of our existing woodlands and wider treescape:
• Champion the benefits of actively managed woodland
• Support woodland owners and managers in responding to key challenges of pests and diseases including: Ips typographus, ash dieback, Phytophthora ramorum, deer and grey squirrels.
• Work to increase resilience within woodlands to the challenges of a changing climate.
• Facilitate closer working across the forestry sector - for instance between markets, contractors, managers, etc
4. Engaging Partners, Stakeholders and the Public
• Encourage, enthuse and support key partners and stakeholders to help facilitate the expansion, protection and improvement of our woodlands and treescape
• At shows and events champion the many values of trees and woodland to the wider public helping them understand and appreciate the importance and values of active management.