Spatial Analyst

The Forestry Commission increases the value of woodlands to society and the environment. Our work with England’s trees, woodlands and forests is vital to helping tackle climate change and providing a much-needed sanctuary for people and wildlife. Our government is committed to increasing tree canopy and woodland cover to at least 16.5% of total land area by 2050, and restoring or creating more than 500,000 hectares of a range of wildlife-rich habitats outside protected sites by 2042.

We aim to expand, protect, improve and connect woodlands across the country. If you are passionate about the role of trees, woodlands and forestry in creating a better future for England and want to play a key part in realising that we want to hear from you.

This role is located in Forest Services’ (FS) Strategy and Transformation Team which enables FS staff to do their best work. This role is in the Economics, Evidence and Analysis team which provides a range of analytical multi-profession support. The team supports colleagues in forestry policy, grants and regulations and front-line delivery across England.

We are looking for a Spatial Analyst to produce, deliver and advise on geospatial data, maps, statistics, and data visualisation across Forest Services. The role will focus on using geographical and statistical evidence and analysis to support work on any of the Forestry Commission’s aims and goals for the natural environment, people and economy.

You will be guided and supported by the team leadership as well as working closely with customers across the organisation. You will liaise regularly with stakeholders in Forest Research and beyond.

The successful candidate for this post will be competent working with geospatial data, producing high quality maps and statistics, well able to carefully follow professional processes and communicate accurate, relevant and timely evidence.

You will need a diplomatic and positive approach to the work to build and maintain relationships with all stakeholders. Problem solving will be needed to define, document and implement a range of short term and some larger analytical projects with precision.

The post holder will be responsible, able to think carefully through, agree and carry out analytical projects. Tasks will include computing, collating, quality assuring, managing, analysing, documenting and aptly presenting geospatial and statistical data and metadata. Tasks will principally use geographical information systems (ESRI ArcGIS), spreadsheets and data visualisation techniques to serve customers, putting their needs at the heart of everything you do.

Key work areas

• Work with others and self-reliantly to plan, agree and conduct bespoke desktop GIS and statistical analyses for Forest Services customers, using GIS software (including ESRI ArcGIS and Python), office software (including MS Excel & MS Word) and delivering appropriate visualisations in maps, tables and text to agreed timescales and professional standards (some MS PowerBI).
• Work across the Forestry Commission and sometimes Defra group computing, collating, quality assuring, managing, analysing, documenting and aptly presenting geospatial and statistical data and metadata.
• Help manage data for our enterprise-wide GIS systems and data sharing and licencing.
• Contribute to Forestry Commission Official Statistics and management information and to other analyses for the FC in support of its goals.
• Support policy and delivery colleagues by giving technical advice on policy questions at meetings.

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 Temporary Appointment until 30 March 2027, with the possibility of extension or permanency but no guarantee.

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

• 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.
• A personal statement – in no more than 750 words showing how you meet the essential criteria of the person specification.
• 250 word statement in relation to the behaviour being assessed for this vacancy (Making Effective Decisions).

Applications will be sifted week commencing 14th September 2026. This date is subject to change.

We will be conducting online interviews with the use of Microsoft Teams or equivalent online communication methods. Candidates would therefore require access to a computer and internet at interview stage. The interviews will be based on Technical Skills, Experience, Strengths and Civil Service Behaviours.

Interviews will be held in the week commencing 28th September 2026. This timing is 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 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. Determine your eligibility at 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 is a full-time role, or part-time for a minimum of 30h/week. 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

Travel options include: -

Some occasional travel may be required as part of the duties of this post. The FC is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any method of travel, subject to prior approval. Successful candidates wishing to use their own private vehicle for business travel will need to comply with the FC Travel Policy on CO2 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.