Forest Planner

What you’ll do...As a Forest Planner with Forestry England, you will help shape the long-term future of some of England’s most diverse and valued landscapes. You’ll lead the development of forest management plans that set the direction for how our woodlands are cared for over the next decades, balancing objectives for biodiversity, forest resilience, sustainable timber production and public access. Working collaboratively with colleagues across Forestry England and a wide range of external partners, you’ll bring together evidence, data and professional judgement to produce UKFS‑compliant Forest Plans and help maintain our UKWAS certification.

The role combines strategic planning with practical delivery. You’ll use GIS and field surveys to inform decisions, consult widely with stakeholders, and support operational teams by providing high-quality data, mapping and specialist advice. Some of your time will be spent outdoors, often working independently, with flexibility to manage your own workload. You’ll be part of a supportive district team and a national network of forest planning professionals, with access to tailored training, mentoring and development opportunities to grow your expertise and career.

Where you’ll work...

The role will be based in the Chilterns office near Aston Clinton HP22 5NF, with flexibility for some optional blended working. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

The district consists of myriad of habitats from the largest productive coniferous forest, mixed broadleaved woodlands, heathland, chalk and acid grasslands, to streams in diverse landscapes in south-east of England. We are in the forefront of the climate change pressures, but also of the pro-active planning to ensure that the forests thrive and continue to support society in the future. Our plants outline long-term view of suitable silviculture systems and ambition to create more diverse, healthy and connected habitats. We are accelerating our efforts in restoring Ancient Woodlands and trialling new tree species best suited for future climate.

The role will primarily focus on Chilterns, Bedfordshire, Weald and Kent areas of the East District.

Key responsibilities & accountabilities

Forest Planning

• Collect and verify data relating to Forest Plan areas to inform the forest planning process
• Design and prescribe long term forest management in industry best practice Forest Plans, which deliver resilient forests ensuring that the land is sustainably managed for people, wildlife and timber
• Communicate, consult and build consensus with a wide range of Forestry England staff, statutory and non-governmental organisations to ensure proposed plans are in compliance with policies, UK Woodland Assurance Standard and UK Forest Standard

Data, mapping and monitoring

• Interrogate and manage Geographic information Systems
• Provide support in areas of data analysis to inform business decisions, including timber production and long-term financial models
• Undertake and coordinate forest and habitat surveys to improve data and maintain monitoring programme

Operational support

• Support teams in areas of survey, data management and mapping to ensure all opportunities and constraints are fully considered in forest management and operational decisions
• Contribute to other project teams as a forest planning specialist

Project management

• Project manage a range of small to medium-sized projects related to forest planning, biodiversity, and forest resilience programmes, including project planning and the management of delegated budgets.

General responsibilities

• Champion high standards of health and safety within the team, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and guidance
• Be familiar with and appropriately adhere to Forestry England Policies and Procedures
• Undertake any other duties, reasonably requested by the Planning Manager

The duties of this post require the applicant to sometimes travel to remote locations that are not accessible by public transport. You will therefore need to hold a full and current driving licence that enables you to drive in the UK. We are willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by other means.

And any other tasks, reasonably requested by your line manager.

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Disability Confident

About Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.