Biosecurity Officer

Job summary

Forest Services advise nationally and locally on how to unlock the full potential of woodlands and support the forestry sector to protect, improve and expand England’s valuable woodland assets, ensuring that they continue to provide benefits to people, the environment and the economy.

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

Never has there been a more important time for trees and forests to help tackle the climate emergency and provide a much-needed sanctuary for people and wildlife. We aim to at least treble tree planting rates in England by the end of this Parliament, contributing to the UK’s overall target of planting 30,000 hectares per year. This acceleration in current planting rates in England will contribute to meeting the net-zero by 2050 ambitions, and to government’s wider environmental targets. These include protecting the existing woodland resource from the threat of pests and disease. The Farming and Countryside Programme funds a grant to trial new ways of tackling specific pests and disease through the Tree Health Pilot.

The Plant Health Forestry team supports healthy trees, woods, and forests, now and in the future. We work together to prevent entry, provide early detection, and minimise impacts of harmful tree pests and diseases, and to ensure traceability of forestry planting material. Interception, identification, eradication, control and management of pests and diseases is fundamental to the Government’s commitment to preparing for future climate change and developing green and healthy places to live.

Plant Health Forestry is geographically dispersed across England. We work with a wide range of partners, stakeholders and customers including other teams within the Forestry Commission, Forest Research (FR), the Devolved Governments of Wales and Scotland, other Government Agencies, and trade and industry bodies and businesses within various sectors that include importers, processors, forest management companies and landowners.

We are seeking a well-motivated individual with skills and experience related to the environmental sector with a focus on trees, and a passion for the protection of our natural environment from pests and diseases. By joining the Forestry Commission, you will join a team of passionate, committed colleagues. You will be able to build on a wealth of expertise to make your mark by helping us transform how we work together and reach new stakeholders.

For further information see https://forestrycommission.blog.gov.uk/category/biosecurity/

Job description

Biosecurity in a Tree Health context is a set of measures to help prevent the accidental introduction or otherwise and the spread of tree pests and diseases. The purpose of this role is to promote and communicate the principles of biosecurity, instilling good practice and providing practical advice. This is important for upskilling within the FC and the wider sector. This post holder will support the Defra-group biosecurity project to promote the implementation of a recognised standard.

Key Work Areas:

Implement and coordinate biosecurity activities for the public, government, forestry sector, non-government organisations, contractors and other interested parties

Review and update biosecurity guidance and requirements

Develop and promote biosecurity tools and promotional materials

Develop and promote tree health and biosecurity training resources and core documentation (e.g., pest factsheets and e-learning)

Foster relationships with external stakeholders and colleagues across Forestry England, Forest Research, and Forest Services

Increase awareness and understanding of tree health issues and biosecurity within the arboricultural and forestry sectors, wider public, Forestry Commission, and related organisations

Deliver training and lead events

Develop and review content for tree health and biosecurity documents, and social media posts

Keep up-to-date with policy and research developments and inform and advise stakeholders of updates (e.g., plant passporting, pest and disease risk pathways)

Person specification

Essential:

1. Educated to Degree-level in an environmental, or closely related subject, or comparable work experience
2. Knowledge of this work area in relation to forestry, and/or tree or plant pests and diseases, and/or biosecurity
3. Experience in writing and/or editing resources for a variety of audiences, with proven ability to successfully promote and disseminate information
4. Experience of project planning and/or delivery
5. Experience in delivering training and/or presentations to public and professional audiences
6. Competent IT user with experience of the MS Office suite of applications

Desirable:

1. Experience producing guidance and/or policy documents
2. Experience in developing e-learning
3. Experience in designing promotional media
4. Successful event planning and delivery experience to virtual, in-person, and hybrid audiences

Please clearly demonstrate how the above applies to you throughout your application. Failure to do so will mean that your application is automatically sifted out.

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £33,854, Forestry Commission contributes £9,807 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• A range of family friendly benefits.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• A culture which 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 years’ 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)

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

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. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Fixed term Appointment to 30th March 2027. This is a Temporary Appointment with the possibility of extension or permanency but no guarante