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Job description

DAERA has responsibility for food, farming, environment, fisheries, forestry, sustainability policy and the development of the rural sector in NI. We support the development of thriving rural communities; the protection, conservation and enhancement of the environment; the sustainable development of the agri-food industry, having regard for the needs of the consumers, the protection of human, animal and plant health and the welfare of animals; the development of the fisheries sector; and the development of our forested land. The Department is structured into six groups and includes two executive agencies (Forest Service and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency) to deliver its strategic objectives.

Responsibilities

• Planning, commissioning and controlling forestry operations including day to day management of staff and contract work.
• Management and development of staff.
• Coordinating activities on the Forest Service estate to secure Forest Service interests in relation to public safety and protection of forests.
• Developing and maintaining good relations with customers, landowners and forestry stakeholders.
• Use of IT systems in budgeting, procurement, reporting, surveying, data collection and analysis, including working with geographical information systems (GIS) for the purposes of disease control, business planning, forest management.
• Inspecting and enforcing legislation for the purposes of aid schemes, forest protection and public access to forests, felling control, environmental protection and plant health.
• Providing professional and technical input to policy development.
• Driving official vehicles and operating machinery and equipment.
• Support the delivery of forestry programmes which will include site inspections and working on hazardous and physically demanding terrain

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Possess 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.
• Hold at least current Associate Membership of ICF or be a current member of an industry recognised professional forestry body
• Or have at least 10 months practical experience actively working within any of the ICF competency areas: Please refer to page 10 of the Candidate Information Booklet for full list.
• 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 requirements of the post in full.

Further Information

NICS Application form only, Vacancy closing Friday 4th September at 12pm. Please Note: This is generic and may change from competition to competition. Applications from females, young people (people under the age of 35), people with a disability and people from minority ethnic 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 website www.nicsrecruitment.org.uk (Please quote the reference number: (IRC326599)