We are seeking a motivated individual who is passionate about expanding, protecting, improving and connecting Englands trees, woods and forests.

You will join the National Grants and Regulations team which supports the design and delivery of grants and incentives and regulation related to woodland creation, forest management and tree health. Specifically, you will become part of the Environmental Land Management (ELM) team, which focuses on the design and delivery of the woodland elements of three new schemes, being launched by DEFRA, that provide an incentive for land managers to manage their land in a way that boosts nature. These schemes are Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), Countryside Stewardship (CS) and Landscape Recovery (LR).

There are 5 ELM Officers across England, one for each of the Forest Services area teams. The advertised post is for an ELM Officer for East and East Midlands.

Although part of the National ELM Team, ELM Officers are imbedded into the regional teams and work hard to build relationships with Forest Service Area Team staff who are delivering the Forestry Commissions incentives and regulations.

You will regularly attend meetings and events based within your regional area, virtually and in person throughout the year. If area teams have questions / require support on ELM grants, ELM Officers act as a conduit to the national team ensuring area teams have access to the resources they need. Your role may require you to support area teams in internal or external meetings with stakeholders either virtually or in person in your area. You may also be asked to attend shows and events in your area.

Working with area teams and their network of local stakeholders to understand regional challenges and opportunities, gives ELM Officers insight that can be used to support the ELM team in the design and delivery of the forestry elements of DEFRAs ELM schemes.

You will support National team colleagues in their work to design and deliver ELM schemes by feeding back the information you have gathered from operational staff in the area teams. You will analyse the feedback you gather to produce regular reports and presentations for the national team. You may also be asked to undertake specific project work that requires you to speak to scheme applicants about their experience with ELM grants. You may be asked to support ELM team managers (PB4), in developing and delivering training on ELM grants to Forest Services Area Teams, and other Forestry Commission staff.

You should take an active interest in developing a broad knowledge base on what is going on in the ELM grant space as well as in the wider farming and forestry sectors.

• Knowledge of the land management sector, including farming and forestry, and existing grant schemes, including Countryside Stewardship.
• Experience of developing effective relationships with a range of public and private sector organisations.
• Experience of proactively and flexibly delivering tasks across multiple processes or projects Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience delivering training and/or presentations.
• Degree-level qualification, or substantial equivalent experience, in environmental or land management sector, preferably with a forestry or agricultural focus.
• Highly competent IT user with experience of using MS Office and online communication tools such as Microsoft Teams.

Please clearly demonstrate how the above applies to you throughout your application. Failure to do so will mean that your application is automatically sifted out.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Changing and Improving

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• You will be asked to give a short presentation (details of which will be provided to those applicants successful at the shortlisting stage).

• Civil Service pension.
• A range of family friendly benefits.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment.
• A range of wellbeing benefits including discounted Civil Service Healthcare, access to an Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, Bike to Work Scheme, plus many more.
• 25 days annual leave, with 1 additional day for each years service up to 5 years (pro rata), plus 10.5 bank holidays/privilege days (pro rata).
• Ability to buy or sell 5 days annual leave.
• 3 days volunteering per year (pro rata).

We aim to provide a great place to work, whichever location you work from. Blended working forms part of our flexible and inclusive approach to future ways of working. It is an informal arrangement which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week from our Forestry Commission workplaces, subject to role requirements, business needs, and regular review. Informal blended working arrangements will be available as agreed with the line manager. Further information will be available for candidates invited to interview.

Job contact :

• Name : FS Recruitment Team
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]