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Job description

It is my pleasure as Chief Executive of the Forest Service, an Agency of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs DAERA, to invite applications for Forest Officer II roles that require specific skills and experience. This booklet provides further information on the key responsibilities of the Forest Officer II role and sets out the skills and competencies required. We have also included important information on the selection process. There are currently a number of full-time vacancies in Forest Service, DAERA. Forest Service offices are located in Enniskillen County Fermanagh, Newry County Down and Garvagh County Londonderry. Forest Officer II is a mobile grade and successful candidates will be expected to work in forests and other operational bases, including DAERA offices, throughout Northern Ireland during their employment. Forest Service’s work makes a significant contribution to DAERA’s vision of Delivering a net zero nature positive future, supporting sustainable agriculture and thriving rural communities. This is the foundation of everything we do as we seek to protect and enhance our environment; improve its sustainability, grow a vibrant economy; and support the development of thriving rural communities. At the heart of this vision is offering a great place to work, with engaged people delivering professional services to meet society’s needs. In return, we can offer Career progression opportunities within the Department and wider Northern Ireland Civil Service. Wide range of learning and professional development opportunities. The NICS Hybrid Working Policy provides flexible ways of working including a blend of home and office working. Generous Annual Leave and Bank Holiday Allowance. Attractive Northern Ireland Civil Service Pension defined benefit career average pension scheme. I look forward to receiving applications from those seeking to avail of this opportunity and contribute to the diverse portfolio of Forest Service’s work.

Responsibilities

• Implementing forestry regulation, including environmental impact assessment, felling regulation and plant health statutory controls and management of grant-aid schemes.
• Developing and managing relationships with customers, stakeholders, contractors and operational partners through engagement and consultation.
• Developing forest management plans and engaging with Departmental business areas and external stakeholders including Councils.
• Providing advice, drafting and technical input to machinery of government, policy development and strategic planning.
• Planning forestry operations and programmes including managing procurement, budgets and resources and coordination of activities to secure public safety and protection of forest estate and assets.
• Collecting and analysing data to support business and forestry planning, surveying, timber supply, disease control via IT systems (including GIS) and stakeholder engagement information.
• Promoting a positive culture of health and safety and wellbeing in the workplace.
• Additionally, the postholders will be required to; Deliver value for money outcomes and to manage work against agreed timetables and subject to competing priorities.
• Work on their own initiative and provide a positive contribution to the overall success in meeting business objectives.
• Support the provision of high quality and timely written briefings and reports to the Chief Executive, Senior Management Team, Ministers, official colleagues, statutory/non-statutory organisations and key stakeholder representatives.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Applicants must, by the closing date for applications: A degree in Forestry or another relevant qualification with appropriate experience that is assessed by the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) to meet a minimum requirement of 5 points.
• These qualifications may include those acquired outside the UK. Note: Further information can be found at: https://www.charteredforesters.org/what-we-do/education-careers.
• AND 2.a. Hold at least current Associate Membership of ICF or be a current member of a recognised professional forestry body.
• OR 2.b. At least 2 years post qualification experience in applying professional & technical knowledge to deliver a work project within at least one of the following ICF competency areas:
• Business Management; Forestry and Woodland Management; Arboriculture and Urban Woodland Management; Environment, Biodiversity and Wildlife Management; Recreation Management and Planning; Public Consultation and Participation;
• Harvesting, Marketing and Utilisation; Forest Engineering; Policy Development and Strategic planning; Timber Conversion; Tree Nursery Management; Forestry and Arboricultural Research; and Forestry and Arboricultural Teaching.
• AND Have at least 2 years’ experience in leading and managing staff and resources in the delivery of operational areas of forestry work programmes such as forestry grants and regulations, harvesting or stewardship.
• AND Hold a full and current driving licence which enables the holder to drive in Northern Ireland and have access to a form of transport which will permit them to meet the requirement of the post in full.

Further Information

NICS Application form only, Vacancy closing date Friday 5th December 2025 at 12 noon. Applications from females, young people (people under the age of 35), people with a disability and people from minoirty ethnics communities are particularly welcomed for this post. The Northern Ireland Civil Service is an Equal Opportunities Employer. ALL APPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT ARE CONSIDERED STRICTLY ON THE BASIS OF MERIT.

Application Information

Visit the recruitment service website www.nicsrecruitment.org.uk (Please quote reference number: IRC314766)