Programme Forester, Based in Lochgilphead

Background Information

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is an agency of the Scottish Government. We’re looking for enthusiastic, practical, creative people to join the West Region planning team to help shape the future of Scotland’s forests and land.

West Region covers mainland Argyll (excluding Cowal), Mull and Lochaber. It is in one of the most wooded areas of Scotland. The landscape is characterised by the spectacular mountain scenery, coastal features, sea and inland lochs and extensive hills.

The multi-disciplinary team of 130 people, based at offices across the region and supported by the national team, manage around 145,000ha of forest and land of varying types. Together the team works to deliver the objectives FLS has agreed with stakeholders and regulators, while helping ensure that FLS meets UK Forestry Standards and maintains UKWAS accreditation.

The planning and environment team is involved in all aspects of the Region’s work - woodland management, timber production and road construction, open land and habitat conservation management, peatland restoration, as well as community engagement and supporting public access and the management of tree pests and diseases. Working closely with others the team designs the forests of the future, protects and restores the semi-natural habitats and co-ordinates the programs to achieve desired outcomes.

This is an exciting and forward thinking role that combines team working with logistical and problem solving skills.

You will facilitate a ‘whole team’ approach to the preparation and implementation of work programs, covering the full range of the Region’s operational activities. This post focuses on providing the key link between the planning and the delivery, or implementation, of work to achieve agreed land management outcomes for the Region.

The programs need to be efficient, practical, and integrated wherever possible as well as responsive to the opportunities that the land offers. The successful candidate will be comfortable with juggling the sequence and scale of a range of work across a large geographic area.

Preparing and monitoring work programs requires you to work with others from a range of disciplines on a daily basis, to regularly get out and about to gain first-hand knowledge of the land, sometimes on difficult terrain, and to develop a thorough understanding of the key management issues.

The key responsibilities for the role will include:

*  Prepare Work Programs based on a thorough understanding of the land and analysing environmental, silvicultural, financial and social impacts, as well as FLS resources and commitments. Land Management Plans are a primary source of program information. Plans and programs are required to meet the UK Forestry Standard and the UK Woodland Assurance Standard;

*  Work closely with the delivery and planning teams in the preparation and the management of the work programs throughout the year being flexible to amend and adapt the timing and location of work as circumstances change to ensure that FLS objectives can still be met;

*  Line manage a survey technician and Geographic Information System (GIS) technician;

*  Create and maintain GIS spatial programs and spreadsheets to record programs and their progress. Liaise with relevant staff to monitor progress against targets;

*  Prepare Work Plans for individual coupes and activities and manage progression of these through to completion;

*  Prepare, implement and manage, with the survey technician, the program of forest inventory and production surveys, including the coordination of work relating to tree pests and diseases;

*  Support the Geographic Information System (GIS) Technician to maintain the local GIS system and its data and the program related layers;

*  Input to the Land Management Planning process by providing data and knowledge relating to crop condition and marketability.

For more information and to apply, please visit our website:

www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk

hr@forestryandland.gov.scot

Please quote ref 64651

Closing date: 7^th September 2020, 23:55

No recruitment agencies please.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all sectors of our diverse community.