Development Woodland Officer (Degree Apprenticeship)

Job Summary

Sustainable forestry in England is key to mitigating the impacts of climate change, responding to the biodiversity crisis, ensuring long-term timber supplies thus reducing our reliance on imports, improving our mental and physical wellbeing, and in providing a resilient and beautiful landscape in which we can live, work and play.

If you are passionate about the role of forestry in creating a better future for England, and want to play a key part in realising that, we want to hear from you.

By joining the Forestry Commission, you will become part of a professional and committed team and be able to build on a wealth of expertise to take this ambitious work forward.

Job Description

You will develop the skills and knowledge required to become a modern Professional Forester through a blend of academic study and practical experience.

Although there are practical forestry elements to the work, the significant focus is on a rigorous academic programme. This is not “a walk in the woods”!

The Programme Includes:

• Bimonthly residential training blocks led by the University of Cumbria
• Enrichment training from Forestry Commission specialists
• On the job learning within an Area Team
• Opportunities for wider sector placements

On completion of the 3-year programme, successful graduates will earn a Level 6 Professional Forester Apprenticeship, a BSc (Hons) Professional Forester degree, and the potential to gain Chartered Forester status with the Institute of Chartered Foresters, in addition to gaining 3 years’ work experience. This will provide the building blocks to continue a career in the forestry sector as a professional forester, planning, advising, managing, and supervising forestry activities and operations.

Details of the academic Professional Forester Apprenticeship course, including overview, course objectives, and a prospectus can be found on the University of Cumbria website.

You will develop a sound understanding of Sustainable Forestry through academic learning and in supporting staff within your Forest Services Area Team.

You will build capability across the following areas, initially in a supportive capacity, progressing as your skills grow:

• Expanding woodland cover:
  • Promote the multiple benefits of woodland creation.
  • Support the design and delivery of new woodlands.
  • Administer Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations.
  • Process woodland creation grant applications.
• Protecting our existing trees and woodlands:
  • Administer Forestry Act felling licenses.
  • Support EIA processes for deforestation and forest infrastructure.
  • Apply Habitats Regulations in protected landscapes.
  • Provide advice on related environmental legislation.
• Improving the condition and resilience of our existing woodlands and wider treescape:
  • Advocate active woodland management.
  • Support responses to pests and diseases.
  • Help build climate resilience.
  • Facilitate collaboration across the forestry sector.
• Engaging partners, stakeholders, and the public:
  • Build strong partnerships to expand, protect and improve woodlands.
  • Promote the value of trees and woodland management to the public.

Person Specification

Essential

• Genuine interest in sustainable woodland and land management.
• Ability to engage with academic learning.
• Motivation to learn through structured training and practical experience.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills.
• Competence in Microsoft Office applications.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable

• Experience or knowledge of sustainable woodland management

Licenses

The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving license that enables them to drive in the UK. If you do not currently have a driving license but intend to have one before the start of the programme in September please select Yes during the application process.

Qualifications

• Minimum entry requirements are:
• GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4 or equivalent
• Minimum 96 UCAS points (evidence of UCAS points is required)

NOTE: If you’ve gained your qualifications overseas, please choose “Similar equivalent” in your job application and detail the Country where you took the exam, Type of exam, Subject, and Grading.

Some non-UK Mathematics and English qualifications do not meet the Apprenticeship Levy funding requirements and therefore candidates would need to complete additional assessments before joining the programme; this will be assessed on an individual basis.

If you do not have the minimum number of 96 UCAS points – even if you have completed a degree previously, please note that you are not eligible to apply due to new eligibility criteria.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

Alongside your salary of £26,959, Forestry Commission contributes £7,810 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Benefits

• A range of family friendly benefits.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• A culture that promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment.
• A range of wellbeing benefits including discounted Civil Service Healthcare, access to an Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, Bike to Work Scheme, plus many more.
• 25 days annual leave, with 1 additional day for each year’s service up to 5 years (pro rata), plus 10.5 bank holidays/privilege days (pro rata).
• Ability to buy or sell 5 days annual leave.
• 3 days volunteering per year (pro rata).

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience.

Selection Process Details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, and Experience.

We are running five parallel advertisements for five separate Area teams throughout England (some with one vacancy and some with two), and if you wish to apply to two or more Area teams you must submit multiple applications. Applicants must rank their preference for each Area team within their personal statement on every application. Applicants submitting multiple applications will have all applications sifted, but if they are successful, they will only be invited to be assessed in-person once.

This is a Temporary Appointment for 3 years with the possibility of extension or permanency but no guarantee.

Due to the funding requirements of the Apprenticeship Levy, applicants need to have been resident in the UK/EEA for at least 3 years prior to the start date of the apprenticeship to be eligible to apply.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend the interview assessment.

Written Application

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

• A tailored CV (maximum 2 pages). Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
• A 500 word personal statement aligned to the person specification including your order of preference. If you are submitting applications for more than one Area team this must include your area team preference.
• Two 250 word behaviour statements.

Applications will be sifted from 2nd March to 24th April 2026. These dates are subject to change.

Depending on application volume, an initial sift may focus on the lead behaviour: Making effective decisions and personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

In-person Assessment

Day-long, in-person assessments will be held the week commencing the 11th May 2026. An Assessment Centre combines several tasks and activities that test candidates’ suitability for the role and includes a traditional face-to-face interview. The Assessment Centre will be held in person at the Forestry Commission Training Centre at Cannock Chase near Rugeley, Staffordshire, WS15 2UQ. Further information will be provided to candidates following their invitation to the Assessment Centre.

Apprenticeship Information

We aim to provide a great place to work. The Forestry Commission operates blended working arrangements, subject to role requirements.

Week-long mandatory training blocks occur every other month and are not eligible for annual leave. These dates for the entire 3-year programme will be made available at the Assessment Centre.

Work placements may occur anywhere in England, depending on programme needs.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

Means of transport will be provided for successful applicants to carry out the duties associated with this role in the form of a fleet vehicle. Personal circumstances can be taken into consideration and in some instances, it may be possible for applicants to use private vehicles in line with the Forestry Commission policy to reduce carbon emissions.

From 1 April 2026, employees undertaking business travel in a personal vehicle may reclaim the costs associated with their journey, as follows:

• Up to 4,000 annual mileage: Standard mileage rate of 45p/mile for all engine types
• 4,001 to 10,000 annual mileage: Reduced mileage rate of 25p/mile for petrol/diesel and standard rate for zero emissions
• Over 10,000 annual mileage: Reduced mileage rate for all engine types

This role is full-time only. 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 these requirements.

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on a loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs) if your host Department agrees to retain liability for redeployment and/or redundancy. Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process.

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

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a nondisabled 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 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 the interview, or if you are deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the recruitment team email address provided on the application platform.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Nationality Requirements

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)
• 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

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.