Newcastle-upon-Tyne, York
Job Summary
Forestry Commission - Forest Services - which the Technical Support Officer (Admin) will be part of, are the government's forestry experts facilitating delivery of government policy to protect, improve and expand England's woods and forests. We advise nationally and locally on how to unlock the full potential of woodlands and the forestry sector to protect, improve and expand England's valuable woodland assets. We encourage good practice through professional advice, partnerships, advocacy and grants while discouraging damaging or inappropriate forestry practice through regulations and standards.
There are two roles available – one is full time (5 days/week) and one is a part time (3 days/week) role. Please indicate in your application which role you are interested in.
The Yorkshire and North East Area contains over 212,000 hectares of woodland ranging from important habitat networks of Ancient Woodlands through to large productive conifer forests. In the North East the predominant woodland type is conifer (64.5%) whereas in Yorkshire and the Humber broadleaves form the most significant component (41.5%).
This diverse range of woodland types extends over 4 National Parks and 3 Areas of Outstanding National Beauty and through the urban woodland resource is also connected to Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle.
The Area Team operates from the Defra Office (Kings Pool, Foss House) in York with a further office located with the Environment Agency in Newcastle. Our work involves engagement with an enormous range of people and organisations, from small landowners and wood business through to large corporations and other public bodies.
Job Description
We are seeking a dynamic individual who can learn quickly to provide admin and technical support to our Woodland Officers, Woodland Creation Officers and 5 Field Managers.
*Responsibilities:*
* Casework facilitation - provide technical support to the Yorkshire and North East Field Team to help optimise the deployment of their skills and knowledge:
* Prepare and process case files using various platforms and systems to ensure the field team's time is optimised. Tasks include:
* Downloading applications for various schemes.
* Preparing template documentation.
* Preparing supporting information.
* Uploading completed case files.
* Updating case work trackers using Excel and Sharepoint Lists.
* Systems and platforms used include Forestry Commission internal mapping system, customer relationship management, grant management system and Sharepoint.
* Communicate clearly between local and national teams.
* Take ownership of the Technical Support Officer inbox – working with colleagues on the daily prioritisation and completion of tasks.
* Support the field team with queries on case work, process guidance and systems queries using guidance documents, knowledge of systems and own initiative.
* Maintain and develop the area team's PowerBI report tracking in-progress casework.
* Ad hoc data collation, reporting and file preparation tasks. upport field team with updates to National regulations and process changes.
* Support field team with updates to National regulations and process changes.
* Provide basic admin support including dealing with phone queries from the public surrounding felling of trees.
We are seeking a dynamic individual who can learn quickly to provide admin and technical support to our Woodland Officers, Woodland Creation Officers and 5 Field Managers.
*Responsibilities:*
* Casework facilitation - provide technical support to the Yorkshire and North East Field Team to help optimise the deployment of their skills and knowledge:
* Prepare and process case files using various platforms and systems to ensure the field team's time is optimised. Tasks include:
* Downloading applications for various schemes.
* Preparing template documentation.
* Preparing supporting information.
* Uploading completed case files.
* Updating case work trackers using Excel and Sharepoint Lists.
* Systems and platforms used include Forestry Commission internal mapping system, customer relationship management, grant management system and Sharepoint.
* Communicate clearly between local and national teams.
* Take ownership of the Technical Support Officer inbox – working with colleagues on the daily prioritisation and completion of tasks.
* Support the field team with queries on case work, process guidance and systems queries using guidance documents, knowledge of systems and own initiative.
* Maintain and develop the area team's PowerBI report tracking in-progress casework.
* Ad hoc data collation, reporting and file preparation tasks. upport field team with updates to National regulations and process changes.
* Support field team with updates to National regulations and process changes.
* Provide basic admin support including dealing with phone queries from the public surrounding felling of trees.
Person specification
*Essential:*
* Ability to learn quickly and adapt to changing/evolving processes.
* Good attention to detail.
* Good computer skills with experience of MS Office, especially Excel.
* Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
* Experience of delivering quality services to a diverse customer base.
* Demonstrate previous examples of delivering work in a specific timeframe.
* Experience as working as part of a team.
* Ability to prioritise and manage a varied workload.
* Good interpersonal and influencing skills demonstrating the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal colleagues and our customers.
*Desirable:*
* Understanding of forestry and woodland management.
* Evidence of maintaining Continuous Professional Development.
* Experience of using PowerBI.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Delivering at Pace
* Managing a Quality Service
* Working Together
Alongside your salary of £26,123, Forestry Commission contributes £7,567 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
* 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).
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.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
This is a Fixed Term Appointment ending 31 March 2026, with possibility but no guarantee of extension or permanency.
As part of the application process, you will complete the following:
* A tailored CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
* A personal statement – in no more than 500 words showing how you meet the essential criteria of the Person Specification.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Should a large number of applications be received, the initial sift may be conducted using the personal statement. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the essential role requirements within the application behaviour responses. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Interview
Candidates will be further assessed on Behaviours, Experience, and Strengths at interview.
We will be conducting online interviews with the use of Microsoft Teams or equivalent online communication methods. Candidates would therefore require access to a computer and internet at interview stage.
Applications will be sifted week commencing 13th October 2025.
Interviews will be held week commencing 22nd October 2025 (to be held online).
Please note that these dates are subject to change.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Forestry Commission from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Some occasional travel will be required as part of the duties of this post. However, the FC is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any method of travel, subject to prior approval. Successful candidates wishing to use their own private vehicle for business travel will need to comply with the FC Travel Policy on CO2 emissions (115g maximum CO2/km from April 2023).
Where a role has been identified as one which falls under the scope of the Public Sector English Language Requirements, within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English. Applicants will be assessed in the selection process in accordance with the requirements.
Existing Civil Servants (excluding Forestry Commission employees) and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply and will only be considered on a loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant.
Existing Forestry Commission, Forestry England and Forest Research employees are eligible to apply for this Fixed Term Appointment and will only be considered if there is written confirmation from their line manager and HR that their current role will be temporarily backfilled or held open before commencing the application process.
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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Security
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre- stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the 'Assistance required' section in the 'Additional requirements' page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
* UK nationals
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
* Name : FS Recruitment Team
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Principles.If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact FCE by email: If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.