Senior Forest Operations Officer

Natural Resources Wales; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A government environmental agency in the UK is looking for a Senior Forest Operations Officer to lead tactical planning and delivery of forest operations. The role requires strong leadership skills, an understanding of sustainable forest management, and collaboration with stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have experience across various land management disciplines and hold a valid UK Driving Licence. This position offers a full-time permanent contract and a salary range of £41,132 - £44,988.

Qualifications

• Professional membership, or at least working towards such accreditation of their related subject.
• Experience of working across a wide range of land management disciplines.
• Knowledge of sustainable forest management and forest certification schemes.
• Good understanding of commercial business processes.
• Ability to communicate effectively with regulated business and the public.
• Extensive knowledge of all aspects of forest practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of five-year tactical plans for forest operations.
• Ensure programmes meet high-quality standards and deliver value.
• Lead specific projects as required, supporting operational management.
• Act as the NRW technical lead for specific sectors.

Skills

Professional membership or working towards accreditation

Experience across land management disciplines

Knowledge of sustainable forest management

Coaching and mentoring skills

Understanding of commercial business processes

Effective communication skills

Knowledge of forest operations

Full valid UK Driving Licence

Job description

Senior Forest Operations Officer

Role ID: 200544
Location: Llandovery
Grade/Salary range: 6 : £41,132 - £44,988
Working pattern: Full time
Contract type: Permanent
Closing date: 19/11/2025

The role

As a Senior Officer, you'll play a central role in shaping and delivering tactical plans that drive our annual forest operations. Working closely with colleagues across NRW, as well as suppliers, customers, and stakeholders, you'll ensure programmes are delivered on time, meet high-quality standards, and offer strong value for money.

You'll lead the development of five-year tactical plans covering clearfelling, thinning, conversion to Low Impact Silvicultural Systems (LISS), restocking, and ongoing maintenance. Alongside the Team Leader, you'll produce annual budget profiles and report regularly on progress, helping to keep operations aligned with strategic goals.

Your expertise will be key in assessing Forest Resource Plans to ensure they meet the UK Forestry Standard and deliver a broad range of environmental and operational objectives. You'll also support the wider team with operational management, take ownership of sub-compartment data, and lead specific projects when needed.

Success in this role calls for self-motivation, innovative thinking, and a proactive approach to problem-solving—making a real difference in how Wales' forests are managed and protected.

As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to the NRW office at the above location and a suitable hybrid working pattern will be agreed on appointment. Any regular face to face meetings or training will be planned in advance.

Interviews will be face to face the week commencing 8th December 2025, location to be confirmed.

Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.

About us

The Forest Operations Team plays a vital role in sustainably managing the Welsh Government Woodland Estate, ensuring it meets the rigorous standards of the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme and ISO14001, while delivering the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources.

Covering over 14,000 hectares across the Mid-South (West) area—from Aberystwyth to Llandovery—our team oversees a rich and varied landscape. This includes upland and lowland forest blocks such as North and Mid Tywi, Cwm Berwyn, Lampeter, Cross Inn, Tarenig, Myherin, and the Ystwyth Valley.

It's a dynamic and collaborative environment, where forestry expertise meets environmental stewardship to protect and enhance Wales' woodlands for generations to come.

What you will do

• Act as the NRW technical lead for specific sectors or technical issues.
• Participate in the development of team work plans and deliver any agreed actions to contribute to business planning. Where appropriate act as NRW lead for specific technical sectors.
• Be required to participate in NRW technical/strategic groups or represent NRW on external forums.
• Interact with other specialists in NRW to promote consistent industry and specialist subject practices
• Be responsible for direct delivery of delegated programmes and agreed budgetary control, including all relevant compliance and adhering to procurement process.
• Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post
• Be committed to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post
• Be committed to your own development through the effective use of your personal development plan (known as Sgwrs).
• Required to take part in incident response activities
• Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.

Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills

In your application and interview you will be asked to demonstrate the following skills and experience using the STAR method.

• Professional membership, or at least working towards such accreditation of their related subject, within an agreed timescale.
• Experience of working across a wide range of land management disciplines.
• Knowledge of sustainable forest management, UKWAS and forest certification schemes.
• Coaching and mentoring skills.
• Good understanding of commercial business processes and pressures.
• Ability to communicate effectively with regulated business and the public, explaining complex issues and gaining support by influencing.
• Extensive knowledge and experience of all aspects of forest practice, including forest planning, forest operations.
• A full and valid UK Driving Licence

Welsh Language requirements

• Essential: Level A1 - Entry level

Welsh language levels

Please note if you do not meet the A1 requirement i.e., ability to understand basic phrases and ability to pronounce Welsh names correctly, then NRW offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal requirements during the course of your employment with us.