Infrastructure Adviser

The Infrastructure Adviser will be responsible for providing the Forestry Commissions responses to major infrastructure projects including projects subject to the Lead Environmental Regulator process, to protect, enhance and expand trees and woodland as part of sustainable development. They will work closely with members of the area and national teams, from multi-disciplinary backgrounds, to identify impacts and opportunities for woodland creation, using data, evidence and good practice advice. Through positive engagement with developers, planning authorities and other Government bodies, the Infrastructure Adviser will be responsible for developing strategic mitigation that supports infrastructure, while helping to expand, protect, improve and connect woodland.

They will support the creation and roll out of a ‘paid for service’ from infrastructure developers that contributes towards the organisation’s time spent on these projects, and will act as the ‘go-to’ project and relationship leads for high-profile infrastructure projects, such as (but not limited to) High Speed 2 and East West Rail.

Key Responsibilities

1. Coordinate and communicate.

Lead and coordinate between colleagues across multiple teams and specialisms, to bring together clear and targeted advice on impacts and opportunities from infrastructure projects, which takes account of technical advice (eg ecology, forestry), national planning policy and legislation, local strategies (including Local Nature Recovery Strategies) and local knowledge from Area team colleagues.

Participate positively in multi-stakeholder meetings - presenting positions robustly and effectively and positively challenging proposals to ensure good practice is followed.

2. Technical planning advice.

Assess and provide detailed advice and responses to major infrastructure development proposals to determine impacts on trees and woodland, particularly ancient and veteran, as well as opportunities for trees and woodland as part of green infrastructure and to provide nature based solutions as part of development proposals. This will involve reviewing detailed evidence, such as technical reports and maps, to highlight impacts and potential solutions in relation to relevant policy and legislation including the Planning Act 2008 and the Lead Environmental Regulator process, good practice and using digital tools including the Forestry Commission’s internal GIS-based mapping system.

3. Relationship manager.

Work with external customers and partners, including Government bodies, to build trust and positive working-relationships. In particular, support with the development and roll out with a consistent cost-recovery ‘offer’ for infrastructure development projects. Act as the relationship and contract lead for key projects, such as East West Rail or High Speed 2, responsible for positive engagement and giving advice. Establish and work within clear expectations according to Service Level Agreements in budget and on time.

Help build FC’s reputation as a robust, positive and reliable consultee and advisor on infrastructure projects that help stakeholders through the planning process in a way that secures the best possible outcomes for trees/woodland which also deliver multi-functional benefits for projects as part of sustainable growth.

Most work will be desk-based but there is likely to be the need to travel to potential development sites and external meetings and events online and face to face.

The successful applicant will have a passion for woodlands and forests and for the benefits to society, the environment and the economy they provide. They will advocate with knowledge and enthusiasm the environmental and other benefits that woodlands provide.

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.

Fixed term Appointment to 30th March 2028. This is a Temporary Appointment with the possibility of extension or permanency but no guarantee.

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

• A tailored CV (curriculum vitae) setting out your qualifications, career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. The CV should be split into 3 parts and provide: Job History, Previous Skills/Experience, Full Qualification Details.
• A personal statement – in no more than 750 words showing how you meet the relevant skills and experience as set out in the Person Specification.
• Please confirm within your personal statement whether you are in the South or North of England.

The sift will be conducted using your CV, Personal Statement. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the essential role requirements within the application behaviour responses.

Should a large number of applications be received, the 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.

Should you be successful at this stage you will be progressed to interview stage. These interviews will consist of a mixture of experience, behaviour, technical skills and strength based questions. We will set a presentation question for applicants that pass the sift.

Interviews will be held w/c 7th September. These dates are subject to change.

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 Service 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.

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

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.

This role is full 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.

This post will involve regular travel including to more remote areas, therefore applicants need to hold and continue to hold, a full current driving license that enables them to drive in the UK and should be willing to stay away from home overnight. The Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants which would allow them to do the job by any other means.

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.