Want to work at the cutting edge of environmental science? Passionate about making a difference and playing your part in tackling the climate and nature crisis? Forest Research is all about giving top quality evidence and advice to policymakers and practitioners to make a positive impact on the ground. Internationally recognised, we need people who have the skills and passion to work on excellent science and provide practical solutions for nature.

We’re small enough that your voice is heard, yet large enough, as part of the Forestry Commission, that we have everything on hand to get the job done, as well as a variety of career pathways. Our staff are dedicated to their work and sharing it with others to bring positive change for our planet. And you will find us a flexible and inclusive employer, so you can have a work life balance that is tailor-made to your circumstances. So, whether it’s climate or carbon, pests or pathogens, behaviour or biodiversity that interests you, you can be assured of a warm welcome to the team. To find out more, visit www.forestresearch.gov.uk.

The role of the Forest Genetics Operations Manager will be within the Forest Genetics science group, which is part of the Forest Protection (FP) centre, one of the two science centres in Forest Research.

The Forest Genetics group work on a range of long-and short-term research and breeding projects and are responsible for a national infrastructure of forest genetic trials and gene banks throughout Great Britain along with the data associated with them.

Job description

The Forest Genetics Operations Manager acts as the main point of contact for the Forest Genetics group’s research infrastructure which comprises ~300 experimental sites, gene banks, databases and equipment. The Forest Genetics Operations Manager is responsible for day-to-day delivery of forest genetics research projects, which typically involve a strong field component. Coordination of several teams working at geographically disparate sites is necessary as work is delivered in partnership with FR’s Technical Services Unit (TSU), external contractors, and academic and industry collaborators. The postholder is responsible for ensuring that work is managed within a budget and delivers on KPI’s.

In addition to delivering specific projects, the Forest Genetics Operations Manager is responsible for managing and updating the Forest Genetics group’s legacy information holdings; deals with ad hoc queries from internal and external partners and upkeeps documentation relating to quality assurance, health and safety, site access and intellectual property licence agreements.

We are looking for a motivated and versatile team-player with initiative who can: organise their own work and coordinate internal and external staff, manage and recall large volumes of information, troubleshoot problems efficiently and adapt quickly in a dynamic work environment. Depending on the individual’s experience and interest and in addition to developing a general grasp of all aspects of the work, there is scope to specialise in scientific, operational or managerial aspects of our tree improvement work in future.

Key work areas:

• Managing day-to-day delivery of forest genetics research projects and tree breeding activities within budget and to KPI’s
• Analysis and reporting of results from Forest Genetics projects to internal and external stakeholders
• Contributing to, and delivering against a strategy for Tree Improvement in Forest Research maximising use and protection of historic work and planning/development of future work
• Line managing a research technician and contractors
• Managing, using, and developing forest genetics information systems
• Representing Forest Research in fora such the Conifer Breeding Co-operative, UK Forest Genetic Resources Group, and EUFORGEN, developing contacts and promoting FR’s tree improvement work at national conferences, and occasionally deputising for the Head of Tree Breeding
• Managing and updating accurate records of operational activities and maintaining documentation relating to QA, H&S, intellectual property and site access agreements
• Monitoring the group’s budget on a quarterly basis and reporting to the finance department and external partners and funding bodies
• Regular travel to field stations and trial sites across Great Britain

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Degree in a relevant environmental science or commensurate professional experience as an Operations Manager or Forester
• Experience in efficient handling and interrogation of information in electronic (databases) and physical format (archives)
• Project management experience (e.g. long-and short-term planning, monitoring budgets, managing contractors, reporting)
• Well-developed, demonstrable and concise verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organisational skills and proven ability to develop and uphold procedures

Desirable criteria

• Professional forestry experience
• Research experience
• Familiarity with basic tree or plant breeding principles in theory, in the nursery, and in the field
• Familiarity with R and GIS software, development of databases
• Experience of, or literacy in, the use of molecular markers or digital sequence information

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,135, Forestry Commission – Forest Research contributes £11,337 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Your career

• Excellent professional development opportunities which are tailored to your role, with paid professional membership subscriptions, mentoring, and Civil Service Learning available to all
• access to world class laboratory facilities, as well as state of the art buildings within forest or science park settings

Your work/life balance

• Flexible working options such as: up to two days flexi leave per month, blended working, part-time working, paid special leave, career breaks, and unpaid leave. Parents and carers will be supported to enable you to manage work and family responsibilities
• A generous annual leave allowance of 25 days on entry increasing by 1 day each year to a maximum of 30 days (pro-rata for part-timers). Plus 2.5 days of additional leave and 8 days’ paid bank/public holidays

Your wellbeing

• A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment
• A range of wellbeing benefits including Employee Assistance Programme 24/7
• We want you to feel part of something bigger and we encourage a community feel in our workplaces, with everything from cookery competitions to Pilates and fell running, plus topical talks at Wellbeing Wednesdays and Feelgood Fridays
• Paid volunteering leave of 3 days per year so you can give back to your community and charitable causes by sharing your skills and time

Your benefits

• A highly competitive Civil Service Pension of 28.97% your salary
• An employee benefits scheme offering discounts on groceries, gym memberships, holidays, days out, online retailers and high street shops
• Cycle to Work scheme and Interest free loans
• Free parking is offered on-site, alongside electric car charging ports

With maternity, adoption, and/or shared parental leave there’s the flexibility to have up to 26 weeks full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid leave. Paternity leave of up to two weeks is available with full pay.