About the job
Never has there been a more important time for trees and forests to help tackle the climate emergency and provide a much-needed sanctuary for people and wildlife. We aim to at least treble tree planting rates in England by the end of this Parliament, reflecting England’s contribution to meeting the UK’s overall target of planting 30,000 hectares per year by the end of this Parliament. This acceleration in current planting rates in England will contribute to meeting the net-zero by 2050 ambitions, and to government’s wider environmental targets. This is supported by the £640m Nature for Climate Fund announced in the March 2020 budget.
Job description
We are seeking two Partnership and Expertise Managers to lead, coordinate and build capability for Forestry Commission / Forest Services delivery in the South West Area to enable the protection, improvement and expansion of the woodland resource. As a senior member of the South West Area team, you will support and prioritise the Forestry and Woodlands policy outcomes and deliver agreed business plan objectives. Activity will increasingly focus on the government’s woodland creation ambitions, and the need to play a key role in supporting organisational adaptation to change at the Area level.
The post plays a critical role in supporting partnership working, taking a lead role for communications and support in strategic and/or sensitive planning and regulatory issues. Tree health is also a key part of the work of Forest Services with a key challenge being to help increase the resilience of the tree and woodland resource and supporting the sector to respond to the impacts of climate change. The Area team has several established partnership relationships working with Natural England and the Environment Agency, the National trust, Woodland Trust, our two Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks, protected landscapes and Community Forest Trusts, Local Enterprise Partnerships, and wider stakeholders on the delivery of the Government’s woodland ambitions.
The posts have line management responsibilities, managing Field Managers, Local Partnership Adviser and specialist roles (Ecologist, Historic Environment Advisor and Deer Officer), as well as being the Confirming Officer for operational field staff.