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The role can be based in Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9SY or in Alice Holt Research Station, Wrecclesham, Farnham GU10 4LH with blended working which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week from the workplace. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.
Job Summary
Want to work at the cutting edge of environmental science? Passionate about making a difference and playing your part in tackling the climate and nature crisis? Forest Research is all about giving top quality evidence and advice to policymakers and practitioners to make a positive impact on the ground. Internationally recognised, we need people who have the skills and passion to work on excellent science and provide practical solutions for nature.
We’re small enough that your voice is heard, yet large enough, as part of the Forestry Commission, that we have everything on hand to get the job done, as well as a variety of career pathways. Our staff are dedicated to their work and sharing it with others to bring positive change for our planet. And you will find us a flexible and inclusive employer, so you can have a work life balance that is tailor-made to your circumstances. So, whether it’s climate or carbon, pests or pathogens, behaviour or biodiversity that interests you, you can be assured of a warm welcome to the team. To find out more, visit forestresearch.gov.uk.
The GIS Team sits within the Centre for Inventory Forecasting & Operational Support (IFOS), an expert, customer-focused provider of forestry information, software, and service. The team is responsible for development and management of GIS and spatial data technologies, this includes an integrated spatial platform for forest and land management, ‘Forester’. ESRI ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Online and open-source technology are used to deliver services from the platform to 1500 users.
The GIS Team are recruiting a GIS Support Officer to support an increasing customer base and development scope within the FC and external forestry customers. You will be working with the latest GIS technologies and data, presenting an excellent opportunity to utilise existing as well as develop new skills.
Job Description
As an agent within the Forester service desk, you will develop expertise across a broad range of geospatial technologies, data and delivery mechanisms underpinning our ESRI-based Forester GIS platform. The role will have a strong customer focus and you will provide key support to a large and diverse user base. The role will be varied, dealing with technology and data, with customers and supporting development of new products and services. You will report to managers within designated work areas and work as part of multi-disciplinary project teams.
Key Work Areas
The successful candidates will be required to undertake any of the following activities within the role, specifics would be agreed upon offer:
* Supporting and undertaking the delivery of GIS services and projects
* Supporting the GIS Service Delivery function to ensure smooth running of the Forester managed service by engaging with end users and colleagues to resolve technical incidents and ensure customer satisfaction
* Acting upon customer service requests to manage and configure the solution in line with business requirements
* Creating technical user guides and system documentation
* Helping customers maximise the benefits of the Forester GIS platform
* Stay abreast of developments within the GIS industry through participation in conferences, training sessions and self-learning
* Building rapport, trust and long-term relationships with relevant staff at all levels within the customer organisations
* Supporting the implementation and rollout of new GIS products and services
* Providing a support resource to our customers during implementation of new products, services and datasets within the GIS platform solutions
As an agent within the Forester service desk, you will develop expertise across a broad range of geospatial technologies, data and delivery mechanisms underpinning our ESRI-based Forester GIS platform. The role will have a strong customer focus and you will provide key support to a large and diverse user base. The role will be varied, dealing with technology and data, with customers and supporting development of new products and services. You will report to managers within designated work areas and work as part of multi-disciplinary project teams.
Required
The successful candidates will be required to undertake any of the following activities within the role, specifics would be agreed upon offer:
* Supporting and undertaking the delivery of GIS services and projects
* Supporting the GIS Service Delivery function to ensure smooth running of the Forester managed service by engaging with end users and colleagues to resolve technical incidents and ensure customer satisfaction
* Acting upon customer service requests to manage and configure the solution in line with business requirements
* Creating technical user guides and system documentation
* Helping customers maximise the benefits of the Forester GIS platform
* Stay abreast of developments within the GIS industry through participation in conferences, training sessions and self-learning
* Building rapport, trust and long-term relationships with relevant staff at all levels within the customer organisations
* Supporting the implementation and rollout of new GIS products and services
* Providing a support resource to our customers during implementation of new products, services and datasets within the GIS platform solutions
Person specification
Essential Criteria
* A relevant degree featuring substantial GIS, IT (relating to geospatial technologies), remote sensing OR equivalent experience
* Proven track record using Esri technologies including ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap/ArcGIS Pro) as a minimum for data management, spatial analysis and visualisation
* Good interpersonal skills with the ability to multi-task and experience of team working
* Must be comfortable in a client-facing role
Desirable Criteria
* Knowledge of a broad range of Esri technologies, such as ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Enterprise (Portal and Server), Experience Builder and/or mobile applications (e.g. Survey123, FieldMaps)
* Experience in creating and managing ESRI services within ArcGIS Online/Enterprise
* Working knowledge of PostgreSQL or Oracle SQL and associated spatial data types
* Programming languages and ESRI APIs, such as Python, ArcPy, ArcGIS API for Python, ESRI Javascript API, Arcade, SQL
* Experience of working within an IT service desk
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Working Together
* Developing Self and Others
* Managing a Quality Service
Alongside your salary of £32,089, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £9,296 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Your career
* Excellent professional development opportunities which are tailored to your role, with paid professional membership subscriptions, mentoring, and Civil Service Learning available to all
* access to world class laboratory facilities, as well as state of the art buildings within forest or science park settings
Your work/life balance
* flexible working options such as: up to two days flexi leave per month, blended working, part-time working, paid special leave, career breaks, and unpaid leave. Parents and carers will be supported to enable you to manage work and family responsibilities
* A generous annual leave allowance of 25 days on entry increasing by 1 day each year to a maximum of 30 days (pro-rata for part-timers). Plus 2.5 days of additional leave and 8 days’ paid bank/public holidays
Your wellbeing
* A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment
* A range of wellbeing benefits including Employee Assistance Programme 24/7
* We want you to feel part of something bigger and we encourage a community feel in our workplaces, with everything from cookery competitions to Pilates and fell running, plus topical talks at Wellbeing Wednesdays and Feelgood Fridays
* Paid volunteering leave of 3 days per year so you can give back to your community and charitable causes by sharing your skills and time
Your Benefits
* a highly competitive Civil Service Pension of 28.97% your salary
* an employee benefits scheme offering discounts on groceries, gym memberships, holidays, days out, online retailers and high street shops
* Cycle to Work scheme and Interest free loans
* Free parking is offered on-site, alongside electric car charging ports
* With maternity, adoption, and/or shared parental leave there’s the flexibility to have up to 26 weeks full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid leave. Paternity leave of up to two weeks is available with full pay.
Any move to Forest Research 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. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Please apply at Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK, you will be asked to supply:
* A CV - setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role
* A Personal Statement – (limited to 500 words) detailing how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.
We will use this information to assess your application against the essential criteria in the person specification.
Shortlist
The panel will select a shortlist of candidates whose applications best demonstrate suitability for the role, by considering the evidence provided against the Essential Criteria set out in the Person Specification. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.
Sift will take place 23-24 June 2025
Interviews are planned to take place 9th - 11 July 2025
Applicants invited to attend for interview will be required to prepare a 10-minute presentation on: ‘The background and implementation of a GIS project you have been responsible for. Alternatively, describe the process by which you provided the solution to a specific GIS-related task or challenge’
If we receive a large volume of applications, then we will sift on Experience/Technical Expertise and the Lead Behaviour, Managing a Quality Service. However, candidates will be expected to answer questions on all behaviours listed at the interview stage.
Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Forest Research which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.
Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.
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.
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.
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 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 : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk
* Email : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk
Recruitment team
* Email : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk
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 FR HR Services by email: hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
* Employment type
Part-time
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* Job function
Information Technology
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