REF: IRC314749

Forest Officer I’s are responsible for leading and managing staff in multidisciplinary teams, and resources, in the delivery of Forest Service work programmes.

These duties vary between posts and will include:

• Operational planning, procurement and delivery of forestry work programmes including management of allocated budget and resources and service delivery through partner providers
• Stewardship of assets and sustainable management of public forest estate including marketing and timber production, forest recreation and environmental benefit
• Contribution to development and implementing of forest policies, strategies, best practice Standards and certification requirements
• Management of data collection and analysis on the productivity and condition of forests and overseeing production of forest management plans to meet relevant legislative and strategic objectives
• Delivery of forestry regulation and forestry grant schemes programmes, including environmental impact assessments, felling regulations and technical assessments.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must possess, by the closing date for applications:

1. A degree in Forestry or another relevant qualification* with appropriate experience that is assessed by the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) to meet a minimum requirement of 5 points.

* These qualifications may include those acquired outside the UK.

Note: Further information can be found at:

https://charteredforesters.org/what-we-do/education-careers.

AND

2.a.   Hold at least current Associate Membership of ICF or be a current member of a recognised professional forestry body.

OR

2.b.   At least 3 years post qualification experience in applying professional & technical knowledge to deliver work programmes within at least two of the following ICF competency areas:

• Business Management
• Forestry and Woodland Management
• Arboriculture and Urban Woodland Management
• Environment, Biodiversity and Wildlife Management
• Recreation Management and Planning
• Public Consultation and Participation
• Harvesting, Marketing and Utilisation
• Forest Engineering
• Policy Development and Strategic planning
• Timber Conversion
• Tree Nursery Management
• Forestry and Arboricultural Research
• Forestry and Arboricultural Teaching

AND

3. Have at least 3 years’ experience in leading and managing staff and resources in the delivery of forestry work programmes, such as forest management or forestry strategy and planning, within a multi-disciplinary branch/function.

AND

4. Hold a full and current driving licence which enables the holder to drive in Northern Ireland and have access to a form of transport which will permit them to meet the requirement of the post in full.

Salary and benefits

Salary will be within the range £50,803 – £53,178 within which pay progression will be performance related.

As a Forest Officer within the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) you will enjoy:

• An annual leave allowance of 25 days, increasing to 30 days after 5 years, in addition to public and privilege holidays
• An attractive pension package
• Access to NICS career pathways and job opportunities

For more detailed information please visit www.nicsrecruitment.org.uk

Completed application forms must be submitted no later than 12:00 noon (UK time) on Friday 5 December 2025.

The Northern Ireland Civil Service is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

ALL APPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT ARE CONSIDERED STRICTLY ON THE BASIS OF MERIT.