Government Recruitment Service
Location
Chester, Cheshire | United Kingdom
Job description
Although a longstanding practice, agroforestry had fallen out of favour over the course of the 20th century, due to intensification of farming. Government has set out plans to revive agroforestry, encouraging farmers and landowners to contribute towards our climatological and environmental goals, whilst increasing woodland/tree cover, and increasing productivity from farmland. This is especially important at the time of acute geopolitical crisis and global economic trends, with food security climbing the agenda.
The Forestry Commission (FC) are the government’s forestry experts: We work to protect, improve, and expand England’s woods and forests. This is done by providing policy advice to government and leading delivery through regulation, incentives, and protecting tree health. Developing the FC’s agroforestry policy is a key priority as we look to influence land management and land use change across England. Through agroforestry, we will help deliver on the Government’s tree planting ambitions, the 25 Year Environment Plan, Net Zero and the England Tree Action Plan.
The Agroforestry Woodland Officer role (AFWO), will be located in each of the Forestry Commission’s 5 Area based Teams. They will be responsible for advising on agroforestry design and implementation on the ground, working with potential applicants, landowners, and supporting Area based FC Woodland Officers (WOs) and Woodland Creation Officers (WCOs). They will play a key role in delivering and administering agroforestry grants through the forthcoming Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS). Making connections to the Forestry Commission’s England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO), identifying agroforestry opportunities on applicant’s land, and how they might complement and enhance our woodland creation objectives. Agroforestry has the potential to maximise positive environmental outcomes, along with identifying and championing sound business opportunities for the farming community.We are seeking dynamic individuals with experience in forestry/farming and/or land management, who are quick to learn and can inspire and enthuse others. The Agroforestry Woodland Officer (AFWO) role can be seen as the ‘face’ of the Forestry Commission to landowners, managers and stakeholders interested in exploring agroforestry, representing Forest Services front-line agroforestry expertise.
As Forestry Commission Area Agroforestry Woodland Officer role, you will proactively advise and support Area based staff on agroforestry, providing expert advice on agroforestry development, implementation, regulation, and environmental benefits, with a particular focus on supporting local forest and farming industries.
Each Agroforestry Woodland Officer role will be Area based, covering potentially large areas, but will be part of a team, working alongside FC Woodland Officers (WO) and Woodland Creation Officers (WCO), who have their own geographic area. The Agroforestry officer will often be brought in on cases where WO’s or WCO’s identify opportunities for agroforestry. You will be required to stay away from home on business occasionally, both within the Forest Services Area where you work, and for National meetings and training purposes.
Future ELMS grants will deliver agroforestry grants that will require direct technical input from the AFWO. They will also be expected to identify woodland creation opportunities and signpost potential applicants to FC WO/WCO staff. Occasionally the AFWO will deliver agroforestry grant schemes alongside England Woodland Creation Offer grants (EWCO), effectively combining different parts of ELMS.
You will have the ability to assist Forestry Commission staff, landowners, and agents to build strong working relationships in its efforts to encourage integrated land use models involving trees, woodland, and forestry. Local stakeholder engagement will be a core part of the role, bringing interested parties and regulators together to find innovative ways to bring farming and forestry closer together to benefit business and environment.
Key work Areas
This is an operational role, working 44 hours per week.
Location
There are 10 posts which will be based at the following office locations:
1. Worcester, Cannock, or Ludlow Offices.
2. Penrith or Delamere office.
3. York
4. Newcastle
5. Santon Downham (Suffolk) or Fineshade (Northants)
6. Sherwood (Notts) or Market Rasen (Lincs)
7. Bucks Horn Oak
8. Tonbridge or Bucks Horn Oak
9. Bullers Hill (Haldon Forest Park, nr Exeter)
10. National Office, Bristol
Job tags
Salary
£32.61k - £35.34k per annum
