Deer Coordinator

Job summary

Forest Services (FS) is Government’s forestry expert. We advise nationally and locally on how to unlock the full potential of woodlands and the forestry sector to deliver against a broad range of objectives. Together we Protect, Improve and Expand England’s valuable woodland assets – ensuring that they continue to provide benefits to people, the environment and the economy.

Within Forest Services (FS), the multi-disciplinary Policy and Advice team (PAt) helps the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and other government departments to develop forestry and woodland policy that works. It does so by drawing on all Forest Services’ wide-ranging forestry and woodlands experience, expertise, evidence and networks.

The Forestry Commission wants wild deer to be part of sustainable forestry in England. However, wild deer have a negative impact on woods and forests, preventing young trees from establishing by eating growing shoots and damaging older trees by stripping and fraying bark. High densities of deer can have negative impacts on woodland biodiversity by significantly changing the structure of the understory and by overgrazing on ground flora.

A range of Government policies state that there is a need to increase tree cover and the quality of our existing woodlands in England; insufficient deer management risks these targets being realised. Deer browsing also has major implications for woodland resilience in the face of climate change and tree disease (Tree Heath & Resilience Strategy). Natural regeneration will not happen without management of deer browsing.

Job description

The PSS Deer Adviser plays a key role in leading the development of the national Protected Sites Policies Programme in relation to deer impacted areas.

The recently published DEFRA Deer Impacts Policy Statement sets out government’s ambitions for the next ten years including actions to promote collaboration within current and potential future environmental land management or other schemes, such as Protected Site Strategies.

The purpose of this role is to lead the FC’s deer management element of the DEFRA Protected Sites Strategy Programme.

Protected Site Strategies are a new policy initiative to improve the condition of protected sites and free up economic growth by reducing the likelihood of development impacts on protected site condition.

From a Forestry Commission perspective this means taking action to reduce the long-term impact of deer, visitor pressure, water and air quality on protected sites, through management of deer and visitors or use of woodland and forestry as nature-based solutions.

Forestry Commission has an ambition to improve the ecological condition of all types of woodland and to improve the condition of woodland SSSIs. Deer are a major cause of poor condition of woodland, preventing regeneration and the development of structural complexity.

There are a number of woodland SSSIs in the PSS programme where we have both forestry and nature conservation interests, notably in the New Forest, Rockingham, Sherwood, Dartmoor, and Sussex Downs.

The headline objectives for the programme are:

• Reduce the pressure from deer browsing on woodland SSSIs, and secure favourable or recovering status of those woodlands, by co-ordinating deer management and securing long term supply of venison for local markets.
• Deploy nature-based solutions within existing woodland or through woodland expansion to absorb visitor numbers, improve water quality (modelled impact) or address point sources of ammonia.
• Spend additional capital and resource on survey, monitoring, training and infrastructure to target the previous objectives.

Forestry England, as owners and managers of some key sites will be key partners in the FC delivery programme

You will have a key role in identifying and analysing evidence from multiple sources to help your team of PSS Deer Officers develop landscape scale solutions to improving the condition of protected sites, particularly woodlands, impacted by deer.

You will work closely with the existing FC Deer Policy Advisor in developing and sharing of information and co-operative working across the relevant bodies involved in the management and improvement of protected sites.

This will help to ensure that future policy, regulations and incentives to ensure deer management is effectively represented in this particular area.

This is a pivotal role delivering the government’s objectives particularly around woodlands and protected sites. You will operate in an interdisciplinary environment to reduce the long-term impact of deer on the condition of protected sites and other woodlands.

KEY WORK AREAS

1) To administer programme funding for deer survey and woodland assessment

You will lead and co-ordinate the deer element of the FCs PSS programme working with FC, Defra family and key external stakeholder organisations to develop and co-ordinate deer management activities across the PSS programme sites nationally to maximise opportunities and outcomes.

• Champion the role and importance of deer management in the recovery and long-term future of protected sites.
• In conjunction with national specialists and Area teams, develop long term sustainable strategies for protected site recovery and protection.
• Create and maintain an up-to-date evidence base, collating and analysing information and data to ensure that Protected Site deer management activities are based on solid evidence and results can be effectively monitored to provide returns on progress against programme.
• Manage contracts for capital and revenue related to the PSS deer management programme this will include venison supply chain infrastructure, population and impact survey.

2) To support Area Team deployment of deer officer resource, including desk instructions, training and network support

• Provide national oversight and co-ordination of the PSS Deer Officer team, working closely with Area team colleagues to ensure their activity is properly targeted and delivered effectively.
• Liaison with existing Deer Advisor, National Office teams and other groups including landowner representative's groups to gain their opinions and feedback on PSS including their challenges and suggested improvements
• Apply a pragmatic approach that recognises the limitations but creatively challenges these to seek and deliver achievable outcomes
• Work alongside Area and SFM colleagues to drive suggested changes forward into practical solutions.

Person specification

EXPERIENCE

Essential criteria

• Proven and extensive experience in developing and delivering strategic forestry, wildlife management, environmental management or closely related work programmes
• A proven track record of engagement with diverse stakeholders, developing constructive partnerships to deliver shared objectives with tangible results, ideally at a national level.
• Competent IT user experienced in using MS Office, remote working and associated communications management.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Essential criteria

• Degree level or equivalent professional qualifications in forestry, land use planning, environmental management, or a related subject
• Clear understanding of strategic wildlife and deer management and forestry issues in England
• Demonstrable skills in influencing the long-term development and successful delivery of policies and programmes.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge and understanding of deer legislation.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £48,765, Forestry Commission contributes £14,127 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.

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.

This is a Fixed Term Appointment ending 31st March 2027, with possibility but no guarantee of extension or permanency.

As part of the application process, you will complete the following:

1. A tailored CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements, of no more than two pages. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
2. A personal statement – in no more than 750 words showing how you meet the criteria of the Person Specification.
3. You will also be asked to provide 250-word statements relating to the Behaviour' Making Effective Decisions.

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 lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions.

Applications will be sifted week commencing 13th April 2026. This date is subject to change.

Interviews will be held week commencing 20th April 2026. This date is subject to change.

At interview candidates will be assessed on Behaviours, Experience and Strengths.

Candidates will be advised in advance whether interviews will be face to face or on line using Microsoft Teams. If interviews are being held online, candidates will need to have access to a computer and internet.

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. Determine your eligibility at visit the Childcare Choices website.

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-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

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.

The post is full time. 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.

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.

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.

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 FCERecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Contact Government Recruitment Service via fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

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.

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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

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
• Email : fs.recruitment@forestrycommission.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.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 FCE by email: englandhr.services@forestryengland.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.