Job summary
We are looking for an Administrative Officer to work within the Forestry Commission�s National Grants and Regulations (NGR) team. The successful candidate will provide administrative support in relation to the delivery of forestry regulation and enforcement.
There has never been a more inspiring time to be involved in forestry, particularly when it comes to Government�s commitment to and society�s interest in increasing England�s tree cover. �At the same time, there have never been as many pressures eroding our existing woodland cover through illegal clearance. Ultimately, on both fronts, you will be instrumental in helping to safeguard the nation�s forests now and for future generations.
The Forestry Commission are the Government�s forestry experts. We work nationally and locally on unlocking the full potential of woodlands and the forestry sector in order to protect, improve and expand England�s valuable woodland assets. The National Grants and Regulations team forms part of the Forestry Commission, one of its national teams, and has responsibility for the operation and enforcement of forest regulations, such as through felling licences, and for grant support for woodland management activities and woodland creation.
The Regulations team forms part of the wider NGR team. This team has responsibility for the administration and management of regulations controlling forestry and woodland activity in England, such as for tree felling, and for taking enforcement action, including initiation court proceedings, when the regulations are not adhered to.
Job description
This Administrative Officer post focuses primarily on the provision of administrative support to the national team�s Regulations work, focusing on the management of data for cases of alleged illegal felling referred to our National Office for further action. This will involve providing direct support to the Regulations Team.
Work is varied and fast-paced and the successful candidate must be able to adapt to seasonal peaks and troughs in workload across the year in a dynamic and efficient way. They will occasionally be required to provide cover for other Regulations team and other FC staff as required. They may also need to occasionally travel to other offices and to meeting venues to support development of regulatory activity. This role sites alongside one other Administrative Officer to support the Regulations team.
The role will also involve helping the Regulations team adapt to new ways of working using Office 365 and SharePoint technology, and the transition of sensitive case material from old to new systems.
In addition, they will generate accurate and timely management information and reports, support regulatory focused meetings and, as part of the wider statutory functions of the FC, help respond to Freedom Of Information (FOI) requests and Environmental Information Requests (EIR).
Responsibilities
Key work areas:
1. Effective management of the cases of alleged illegal tree felling being referred to National Office for further action. Ensuring that new cases are accurately referenced and reviewed.
2. Assist with the drafting and issuing of Restocking and Enforcement Notices.
3. Check all cases of alleged illegal tree felling for land (RLR) and customer (SBI) registration for cross-compliance.
4. Undertake Land Registry searches for National Office and Area colleagues.
5. Updating illegal felling data as appropriate and administer the resumption process in a timely manner, notifying field staff when inspections are required.
6. Assist with the administration of other regulatory work as requested by the Regulations Managers and Area teams.
7. Organise, produce and maintain accurate records for any regulatory area of work.
8. Work to form a versatile admin team, with an emphasis on responsibilities in regard to accurate and timely reporting.
9. Participate in Forest Services meetings and events.
10. Provide cover to answer email queries to shared mailboxes.
11. Provide admin support for compliance and strategic development exercises.
12. Responsibility of key monitoring and administration of compliance processes.
13. Issuing authority cards when requested.
14. Maintain and provide regulation focused management information. This will include: maintaining oversight of information and data trackers, ensuring the completeness and accuracy of the information they hold; collating information into regular dashboards and reports for management and Ministers.
15. Responding to ad-hoc requests for information, with support from the line manager.
16. Provide support at key stakeholder meetings, as required, and lead on organising events to promote regulatory activities and training for Forestry Commission staff and external bodies.
17. Support development and testing of new ways of working using new systems and technology (, O365 / SharePoint); Provide fresh insight into doing tasks in collaborative and efficient ways and produce new guidance and instruction for these developments.
Person specification
ESSENTIAL:
18. Experience of providing a high level of attention to detail.
19. Experience of working at pace and independently managing case loads.
20. Demonstrable experience of delivering tasks across multiple work areas or projects, to tight deadlines.
21. Experience of managing data and preparing management information reports to exacting specification and deadlines.
22. Experienced user of MS Office 365 applications, SharePoint and WordPress.
23. Experienced user of MS Excel, with experience of generating reports and collating management information.
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.
DESIRABLE:
24. NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in any subject area.
25. A general knowledge of forestry and land management, particularly in relation to the Forestry Commission�s regulatory role.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
26. Managing a Quality Service
27. Delivering at Pace
28. Working Together
29. Seeing the Big Picture
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �24,323, Forestry Commission contributes �6,260 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
� A Civil Service pension.
� 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 bank holidays/privilege days (pro rata).
� Ability to buy or sell 5 days annual leave.�
� 3 days volunteering per year (pro rata).
We aim to provide a great place to work, whichever location you work from. Blended working forms part of our flexible and inclusive approach to future ways of working. It is an informal arrangement which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week from our Forestry Commission workplaces, subject to role requirements, business needs, and regular review. Informal blended working arrangements will be available as agreed with the line manager. Further information will be available for candidates invited to interview.