Salary: £33,730 + Civil Service Pension
Locations: Lichfield (Staffordshire) or Tilshead (Wiltshire)
Start date: September 2026
Contract: Permanent, full-time, flexible working available
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), part of the Ministry of Defence, is offering an exciting opportunity for two Forestry Graduates to join its Forestry Team within Technical Services. This is a rare chance to begin your professional forestry career while helping to manage one of the UK’s most diverse and environmentally important landholdings.
DIO manages almost 1% of the UK’s land area, including forests, woodlands, moorlands, heathlands and coastal environments. Around 37% of the estate is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), making it nationally significant for wildlife, biodiversity and natural capital. Our work supports military training and operations while also delivering sustainable land management, carbon sequestration, habitat creation and nature recovery.
As a Graduate Forester, you will work alongside experienced Head Foresters and specialists, gaining hands-on experience across a wide range of forestry activities. Your role will include contributing to sustainable woodland management, tree safety inspections, woodland creation projects, audit and assurance work, and ecological and environmental surveys. You will also support the preparation of long-term forest management plans, reports and presentations, and collaborate with colleagues across the MOD and external partners.
This scheme is designed to support your professional development. You will work towards gaining Professional Membership of the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF), building the skills, experience and confidence needed for a successful long-term career in forestry and land management.
We are looking for graduates who have, or will shortly achieve, an ICF‑accredited degree in forestry or a closely related subject (minimum 2:2), awarded within the last two years. You will need a full UK driving licence and a genuine interest in sustainable forestry, land management and the natural environment.
In return, we offer a competitive starting salary, a generous Civil Service pension, flexible working options, tailored learning and development, and the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the management of the UK’s defence estate.
If you are passionate about forestry and want your work to make a real impact at a national scale, this graduate scheme could be the perfect next step.
Closing date: 18th May 2026
To apply, please visit: DIO Forestry Graduate Scheme - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK
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