REF: IRC314766

Forest Officer IIs are responsible for leading and managing staff and resources in the delivery of operational areas of forestry work programmes. These duties vary between posts, and will include:

• Implementing forestry regulation, including environmental impact assessment, felling regulation and plant health statutory controls and management of grant-aid schemes
• Developing and managing relationships with customers, stakeholders, contractors and operational partners through engagement and consultation
• Developing forest management plans and engaging with Departmental business areas and external stakeholders including Councils
• Providing advice, drafting and technical input to machinery of government, policy development and strategic planning
• Planning forestry operations and programmes including managing procurement, budgets and resources and coordination of activities to secure public safety and protection of forest estate and assets
• Collecting and analysing data to support business and forestry planning, surveying, timber supply, disease control via IT systems (including GIS) and stakeholder engagement information
• Promoting a positive culture of health and safety and wellbeing in the workplace

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 2 years post qualification experience in applying professional & technical knowledge to deliver a work project within at least one 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 2 years’ experience in leading and managing staff and resources in the delivery of operational areas of forestry work programmes such as forestry grants and regulations, harvesting or stewardship.

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 £42,327 – £43,786 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.