Ips typographus Outbreak Response Officer

Job summary

The Plant Health Forestry (PHF) team is a high-performing, geographically distributed team working across Great Britain (GB) to support healthy trees, woods and forests now and for the future. Together we deliver essential work to prevent the entry of harmful tree pests and diseases, enable early detection, minimise their impact, and ensure the traceability of forestry planting material.

PHF collaborates with a broad network of partners, including other Forestry Commission teams, Forest Research, the Devolved Administrations of Wales and Scotland, government agencies, and sector stakeholders such as trade bodies, importers, processors, forest management companies, and landowners.

By joining PHF, you will become part of a passionate, expert team driving ambitious work to protect and improve GB’s valuable woodland assets.

Job description

We are seeking an Ips typographus Outbreak Response Officer to help detect, contain and eradicate Ips typographus outbreaks across South-eastern England. Ips typographus is regulated in the UK as a Quarantine Pest and we are obligated to act against the current findings to support maintaining this status.
The beetle poses no threat to human health but can be a serious and destructive pest of spruce species and poses a serious threat to the GB forestry sector. Spruce trees are a major component of our forestry industry, making up around 50% of commercial planting in the UK and supporting thousands of jobs.

The aims of the Ips typographus management programme are:

• Deliver strategic plans: Develop and implement England-wide strategies to prevent, detect, control and ultimately eradicate Ips typographus incursions, interceptions and outbreaks.
• Outbreak response: Rapidly identify and respond to outbreaks of the pest, coordinating multi-agency resources to contain spread, minimise impact and achieve swift eradication.
• Surveillance: Maintain a systematic, risk-based surveillance programme for vulnerable spruce stands. Collaborate with Forest Research on the management of pheromone trapping detection networks. Coordinate and execute targeted ground-inspection responses to various intelligence streams.
• Authorisations: Oversee the timely response to spruce felling, movement and processing inspection requests, ensuring compliance with biosecurity requirements and issuance of authority letters. Maintain detailed records of all authorisations ensuring compliance with auditing requirements.
• Contractor Management: Coordinate procurement, assignment and performance monitoring of contractors tasked with surveillance, felling, sanitation and other control measures, ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Support policy objective of reducing host presence in high-risk areas: Align operational activities with policy goals by encouraging proactive removal of spruce material in zones most vulnerable to Ips typographus establishment.
• Data collection and reporting: Lead the gathering, validation, and analysis of surveillance, pest distribution, outbreak response status data, producing clear, timely reports to drive informed decision-making and optimise management tactics.
• Training, communications and guidance: Provide best-practice training programmes, clear sector guidance and ongoing stakeholder engagement, ensuring that forestry workers, landowners, partner agencies and the wider forestry sector are fully equipped to implement and support Ips typographus control and eradication measures.
• Project work: Collaborate with Forest Research and government partners to deliver R&D initiatives on Ips typographus control, spanning remote sensing applications, debarking-equipment efficacy trials, and canine detection methodologies.

KEY WORK AREAS

Responsibilities

The purpose of the Ips typographus Outbreak Response Officer is to:

Support the Ips typographus Programme Manager and line manage Ips typographus Support Officer/s to deliver England’s eradication response to Ips typographus. Lead and coordinate activities to prevent, detect, contain, control and eradicate incursions and outbreaks, ensuring statutory plant health requirements are implemented effectively and consistently.

Serve as the primary point of contact for statutory outbreak response activities at confirmed infestation sites. Coordinate the delivery of Statutory Plant Health Notices (SPHNs), ensuring landowners, agents and contractors understand legal requirements, operational timescales and biosecurity obligations. Lead the mobilisation of multi-disciplinary response teams, prioritise sites according to risk, coordinate resource allocation and oversee delivery of eradication operations within statutory deadlines.

Support compliance and enforcement activities associated with Ips typographus outbreaks, working closely with Forestry Services Enforcement colleagues and other regulatory partners. Monitor progress against statutory requirements, maintain appropriate records and evidence, and support proportionate action where compliance issues arise.

Collaborate with Forest Research on the deployment and management of pheromone trapping networks across outbreak and post-eradication sites. Coordinate rapid investigation of trap catches, including targeted surveillance, ground inspections and escalation of suspected infestations to support early detection and containment.

Brief contractors undertaking sanitation felling operations at Ips typographus outbreak sites, ensuring a clear understanding of statutory requirements, biosecurity protocols and eradication objectives. Monitor delivery of felling works providing assurance that operations are completed within statutory timescales and in accordance with approved methodologies.

Oversee operational compliance at outbreak sites, verifying that eradication measures have been completed to the required standard and within statutory timescales. Support inspections, maintain accurate records of operational activity and contribute evidence required for regulatory decision-making.

Drive proactive spruce removal policy objectives in high-risk areas, engaging local landowners and the wider forestry sector. Promote best-practice approaches through stakeholder workshops, site visits and targeted engagement activities.

Lead the gathering, validation and analysis of operational and surveillance data relating to pest distributions, outbreak status, compliance and eradication outcomes. Produce timely situation reports and operational updates to inform decision-making, resource prioritisation and programme evaluation.

Contribute to outbreak preparedness and contingency planning, supporting the continuous improvement of operational procedures, response protocols and lessons-learned processes arising from outbreak response work.

Person specification

Essential Criteria
• HND qualification (or equivalent) in Forestry, Plant Health, Arboriculture or a related subject, and/or significant practical experience in forestry, the timber industry, ecology, or other relevant field-based operations.
• Confident communicator with the ability to brief stakeholders, landowners, contractors and partner agencies clearly and persuasively.
• Able to prioritise multiple work streams and tasks under pressure, managing time and resources to deliver rapid responses to surveillance pressures and outbreaks.
• Skilled in coordinating on-the-ground operations including surveillance, eradication or pest control with awareness of seasonal field demands.
• Strong working knowledge of MS Office 365 tools (Excel, Outlook, Teams, Word) to produce reports, manage data and communicate effectively.
• Valid UK driving licence and willingness to frequently travel across England for fieldwork in all weather conditions.
• High attention to detail in record keeping, ensuring legal and regulatory compliance across site inspections and authorisations.
• Evidence of contributing to broader programme goals and understanding how local actions align with national priorities.

Desirable Criteria
• Experience supervising contractors or small field teams in forestry operations, surveillance, ecological surveys, eradication programmes or related field.
• Proficiency in GIS or mobile-based mapping and reporting tools (e.g., ArcGIS, Field Maps, Survey123 etc).
• A clear understanding of current UK forestry policies related to pests and diseases and regulations and a working knowledge of regulatory processes.
• Experience delivering training sessions or stakeholder engagement events.
• Familiarity with public-sector working practices, especially within Defra, Forestry Commission or other arm’s length bodies (ALBs)

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

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

• prior to interview candidates will be asked to deliver Presentation: 10-minute presentation on the background of Ips typographus and an overview of the current situation and policy in England.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,537, Forestry Commission contributes £10,874 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.
• 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, Experience and Technical skills.

This is a Fixed Term Appointment until 30th March 2027 with the possibility of extension or permanency but no guarantee.

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

1. A tailored CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. The CV will be split into 3 parts and requests: Job History, Previous Skills/Experience, and Full Qualification Details.
2. A personal statement – in no more than 500 words showing how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the Person Specification.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

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.

Those invited to interview will be further assessed on Behaviours and Strengths and Experience. You will be asked to complete a 10-minute presentation on the background to Ips typographus and an overview of current situation and policy in England

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, office availability, 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.

Should a large number of applications be received, the initial sift may be conducted using a lead behaviour. This will be the behaviour which is listed first in the job advert.

Indicative timeline:

Shortlisting to take place w/c 29th June 2026

Interviews to be carried out w/c 6th July 2026

Dates may be subject to change.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

This role is advertised as a minimum of 44 hours per week. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.

The Forestry Commission is actively working to reduce the carbon emission of official travel and applicants should be aware of the broad principles which are being applied to reduce carbon emissions to less than 50gCO2/km.

Travel options include:

Use of private car: some employee’s choose to use their private car and receive payment for the miles they drive on official business. Emissions are unrestricted below 4,000 miles per year. A reduced mileage payment is applied to travel above 4,000 miles per year, where not in a zero emissions vehicle.

Use of Forestry Commission van: usually based from an FC office (NOTE: such vehicles can only be used for official business).

Use of CAPES (lease) Cars: after an employee has successfully completed their probation, they can opt for a CAPES car (the user pays a monthly rate for private use). All new CAPES vehicles are zero emissions.

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.

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.