Area Administrative Officer

Forest Services, part of the Forestry Commission, are the Government's forestry experts. We work to protect, improve and expand England's woodlands and forests, supporting the forestry sector through professional advice, regulation, partnerships and grant funding. Through our work, we help ensure England's woodlands are sustainably managed, resilient and able to deliver environmental, economic and social benefits for future generations.

Role Purpose

To provide comprehensive administrative, operational and office management support to the Area Team, ensuring the efficient running of the office, supporting governance and stakeholder activities, maintaining records and systems, and coordinating local operational, health and safety, learning and development, and financial processes.

Key Responsibilities

Administrative and Office Management

• Monitor and manage incoming communications, including email, telephone enquiries, post and visitors.
• Coordinate general office management activities, including maintenance contracts and services such as biomass boilers, cleaning contracts, printers, kitchen facilities and office equipment.
• Liaise with Estates and external contractors regarding building maintenance and repairs.
• Organise and coordinate internal team meetings, including scheduling, room bookings and meeting logistics.
• Book travel and accommodation for team members as required.
• Manage and maintain paper and electronic records in accordance with organisational policies and records management procedures.
• Maintain the Area Team SharePoint site, ensuring information is accurate, accessible and up to date.

Committee and Stakeholder Support

• Act as Secretary and provide administrative support for Forestry and Woodland Advisory Committee (FWAC) meetings.
• Coordinate meeting logistics, including venue bookings, catering arrangements, agenda preparation and distribution of meeting papers.
• Support stakeholder engagement events by:

Planning and Business Support

• Monitor and triage planning application consultations received through the dedicated mailbox, ensuring timely allocation and response.
• Provide administrative support to the wider Area Team as required by the Area Director and senior management.

Finance and Asset Management

• Raise purchase orders and process invoices for payment in accordance with organisational procedures.
• Maintain the local asset register and ensure records remain accurate and up to date.
• Manage the electronic filing and retention of local financial records.
• Liaise with the national Finance Team regarding financial administration and related queries.

Health, Safety and Business Continuity

• Support the implementation and administration of local Health and Safety procedures.
• Maintain the local Health and Safety Resumption Diary.
• Administer Health and Safety systems, including lone working arrangements and associated monitoring systems.
• Ensure routine checks of safety equipment, first aid supplies and related resources are completed and recorded.
• Carry out weekly and monthly fire safety inspections and checks.
• Act as a designated Fire Marshal for the Bucks Horn Oak office as part of the local Fire Marshal team.

Local Infrastructure Management (LIM)

• Act as the local point of contact for IT-related issues.
• Liaise with IT support teams to resolve technical issues affecting Area Team members and office operations.

Learning and Development

• Act as Learning and Development Coordinator for the Area Team.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date training records and learning management systems.
• Coordinate and arrange local training activities, workshops and development opportunities as required.

Please note that the duties listed above are not exhaustive and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the business. This role forms part of a team of two Administrative Officers who work collaboratively to provide support across the Area Team. Responsibilities are shared across both postholders, who are expected to provide mutual cover and flexibility in undertaking duties as required.

Occasional travel may be required, including infrequent overnight stays.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

This is a Fixed Term Appointment ending 30th March 2027, with possibility but no guarantee of extension or permanency.

As part of the application process, you will complete the following:

1. A tailored CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. The CV will be split into 3 parts and request: Job History, Previous Skills/Experience, Full Qualification Details.

2. A personal statement – in no more than 750 words showing how you meet the Essential criteria of the Person Specification.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the essential experience person specification requirements shown above within the application responses. Failure to fully complete both sections (CV and Personal Statement) will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification. The panel will look for applications that demonstrate the best fit for the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the job description and responsibilities.

Interview

Candidates will be assessed on Behaviours, Experience, Technical Skills and Strengths at interview stage.

Interviews will be held in person at our office in Surrey - Bucks Horn Oak, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LS

Sift and Interview dates (subject to change)

Applications will be sifted 18/09/2026

Interviews will be held on 01/10/2026

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Forestry Commission from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Existing Civil Servants (excluding Forestry Commission employees) and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, and will only be considered on a loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant.

Existing Forestry Commission, Forestry England and Forest Research employees are eligible to apply for this Fixed Term Appointment and will only be considered if there is written confirmation from their line manager and HR that their current role will be temporarily backfilled or held open before commencing the application process.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

This role is part-time. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Where a role has been identified as one which falls under the scope of the Public Sector English Language Requirements, within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English. Applicants will be assessed in the selection process in accordance with the requirements.

The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.

The Forestry Commission is actively working to reduce the carbon emission of official travel and applicants should be aware of the broad principles which are being applied to reduce carbon emissions to less than 50gCO2/km.

Travel options include:

• Use of private car: some Officers choose to use their private car and receive payment for the miles they drive on official business. Emissions are unrestricted below 4,000 miles per year. A reduced mileage payment is applied to travel above 4,000 miles per year, where not in a zero emissions vehicle.
• Use of Forestry Commission van: usually based from an FC office (NOTE: such vehicles can only be used for official business).
• Use of CAPES (lease) Cars: after an employee has successfully completed their probation, they can opt for a CAPES car (the user pays a monthly rate for private use). All new CAPES vehicles are zero emissions.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via FCERecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.