South England Forest District manages some 46,000 hectares of the public forest estate across West Sussex, Surrey, Berkshire Hampshire, Isle of White, Dorset and South Wiltshire. The varied, mixed woodlands produce some 100,000 m3 of timber each year, of which 25,000 m3 is hardwood. The Land Management Team have responsibility for an extensive programme of habitat restoration, principally ancient woodland and lowland heath.

Much of the land is of high importance for nature conservation, supporting some 29,000 hectares of SSSI’s of which approximately 27,000 are also designated at a European level as Special Areas of Conservation. The majority of the land managed by the district is also within area designated for their landscape value, including 7,500 hectares with Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB's) and 31,500 hectares across two National Parks.

The area receives some 20 million day visits by the public each and includes two major Forest Centres at Moors Valley Country Park and Alice Holt Woodland Park.

The Public Forest Estate is managed around three pillars of sustainability: people, nature and climate. The Land Management Team plays an important role in applying these objectives to ensure that we meet the highest standards of sustainable land management delivery.

This role focuses on the New Forest, although some experience will be gained across the whole of South District. The New Forest lies to the west of Southampton Water in south-west Hampshire and covers 37,677 hectares of heathland, ancient woodland, wetlands, grassy plains and plantation woodlands. The New Forest is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and the Forestry England managed Crown lands comprises almost 50% of the New Forest National Park.

You will train in professional deer and wildlife management activities, learning new skills and working within a team to support the District’s wider objectives. In doing so you will gain the knowledge and experience required to become a professional deer manager.

There is an option for a property in the New Forest to be available with this role (rent is payable).

Key Work Areas:

Essential

• Deer Stalking Certificate (DSC) 1
• A valid police firearms certificate
• An interest in wildlife and nature conservation
• Experience of working alone, outdoors in a range of weather conditions and during unsociable hours

Desirable

• An understanding of woodland management and the ecology of woodlands and heath
• An understanding of, and experience in, deer management
• Experience of working in a woodland environment
• Holds or is working towards Deer Stalking Certificate Level 2 (DSC2) or equivalent
• Experience of using firearms, deer management and carcass preparation
• A qualification in wildlife or conservation land management
• Competent user of IT including Microsoft Office applications

At interview we will assess you against the following behaviours;

Working Together

• Proactively contribute to the work of the whole team and remain open to taking on new and different roles
• Get to know your colleagues and build supportive relationships
• Listen to alternative perspectives and needs, responding sensitively and checking understanding where necessary
• Ask for help when needed and support others when the opportunity arises
• Be aware of the need to consider your own wellbeing and that of your colleagues
• Understand that bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable

Managing a Quality Service

• Plan, organise and manage your own time to deliver a high quality service which gives taxpayers a good return for their money
• Act to prevent problems by identifying issues, reporting them and providing solutions

Delivering at Pace

• Always work with focus and pace to get the job done on time and to a high standard
• Follow the relevant policies, procedures and rules that apply to the job
• Keep a consistent level of personal performance

Seeing the Bigger Picture

• Understand what your responsibilities are and how these contribute to the priorities of your team
• Gather information from both inside and outside of the organisation to inform your area of work

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

• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the Big Picture

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

• As part of the interview process, there will be a short technical test related to the essential criteria for this position - further details will be provided to candidates invited for interview.

• Flexible working to support a healthy work/life balance
• 25 days holiday pa with an extra day’s holiday entitlement each year over the first 5 years up to a maximum of 30 days per year, plus bank holidays and 2.5 extra days leave. (all pro-rata)
• 3 days paid volunteering leave every year (once you have passed probation)
  
  • Access to technical and personal development training and qualifications that are tailored to your role
• 5 days dedicated to your self-driven development each year
• Extensive opportunities for further learning through Civil Service Learning
• Reimbursement of any professional membership fees
• Employee benefits that include (but are not limited to) the Cycle to Work scheme, free high-street and online discounts and offers through ‘STaR’, and the opportunity to join the Civil Services Sports Council
• The brilliant Civil Service Pensions scheme
• Access to our dedicated Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that gives free, confidential and independent support - whether it is personal or work-related
• Free eyesight tests and £100 voucher for glasses for visual display usage
• Pay advances of up to £5,000 for computers, sports equipment, or training costs
• Free parking at all Forestry Commission sites (including Moors Valley Country Park and Alice Holt Forest) and free entry into our National Arboretum in Westonbirt
• Up to 15% discount at Forest Live Events, Forest Holidays cabins, and Go Ape outdoor activity centres
• Numerous retail discounts including 10% off at Forestry Commission shops and Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Job contact :

Name :
Sandy Shore
Email :
sandy.shore@forestryengland.uk

Recruitment team :

Email :
fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk