Forest Planner
We are recruiting for Forest Planners to prepare plans that set out how we are going to care Scotland's national forests and land in the future.
If you enjoy getting outside, working with others and exploring options and ideas about how best to manage the land for future generations; and you are also experienced in analysing information and writing succinct reports, this may be the job for you.
We are looking for enthusiastic people who have an interest in making the most of the opportunities that the land has to offer, are knowledgeable about wider issues such as climate change and long term sustainable land use, and are keen to develop practical solutions to ensure the land is in good heart for future generations.
These posts are based in offices across the country – in one of five Regional teams. We will provide you with training and mentoring and you will be working within an experienced and supportive team to help you settle quickly into this role.
Below you can read some testimonials from current Forest Planners:
"The planning role is all encompassing – a jack of all trades. I can use my experience gained from carrying out most types of manual work to management – involving forest management, recreation, managing buildings, harvesting, private woodlands and plant health. All of this has given me a solid appreciation of most aspects of forestry and provides me a perspective of forestry and land management from multiple viewpoints and considerations. However, I am fully aware that I don’t know everything, and I am not too frightened to ask questions – even if they sometimes sound stupid."
"A Planning Forester may be assigned to carry out 10 year land management plans, but in reality it is a team effort, using as wide a pool of knowledge and experience as possible to reach the best outcome, (with help from colleagues in other organisations and the public too). Forestry and Land Scotland is great at providing training. I may be new to this role, but thanks to all the tremendous colleagues who are so generous with their time and advice I have found myself settling in quickly – and the craic is good too!"
"I started with Forest Enterprise Scotland (now Forestry and Land Scotland) in 2016, having previously worked in the environment sector as an ecologist."
"As a Planning Forester, it’s the diversity in the job that I really enjoy, and spend time both behind a desk and out in the forest. I’m involved with the many facets of land management planning, such as forestry, silviculture, ecology, hydrology, landscape design, civil engineering, with public consultation and project management thrown in to the mix too!"
"Do I consider myself an expert in all these fields? Of course not: whilst I brought some skills and expertise with me from previous experience, I’ve been well supported within Forestry and Land Scotland learning new skills through internal and external formal training, such as Landscape Design, and gained experience and confidence through mentoring and support from some great colleagues."
"I’ve even been supported to start a part-time postgraduate diploma in Forestry through Bangor University to help my development and career progression prospects within Forestry and Land Scotland. All-in-all, it’s a great job, and a great organisation to work for."
"Being a planning forester allows me to get involved across all the different disciplines in Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS). In a typical week I could be marking out a new fence line, setting up a site for monitoring weevil populations, designing felling coupes and consulting with local communities. My job is all about shaping the future of the FLS estate producing management prescriptions to meet a number of different objectives for the region but also a specific block of forest. I have a great mix of indoor work producing Land Management Plans, GIS maps and data analysis and outdoor work (in some amazing places) deciding on suitable felling dates and boundaries, restock species and management type. A large part of my job is working with all members of the internal team such as civil engineers, harvesting and forest management foresters, ecologists, wildlife managers, landscape architects and recreation foresters. I also consult external stakeholders and communities to decide on the best options for the forest. I really enjoy this type of problem solving to find a solution that can meet a number of objectives."
Working for us
We are a Scottish Government agency that looks after nearly 9% of Scotland’s land. We manage woodlands and open hills, peatlands, coastlines and greenspace around towns to provide a wide range of environmental, social and economic benefits for the people of Scotland.
The posts have a generous pay, holiday and pension package, and we also offer:
- Genuine consideration of flexible working options, such as compressed hours, job share and flexible part-time options;
- Flexitime with the ability to accrue and take off up to 2 days per period (in addition to your holiday allowance);
- An environment that supports work/life balance for everyone in the team;
- Personal and professional development, with options of financial and study support to help you expand your knowledge and develop your career.
Person specification
Key duties:
- Preparing land management plans that outline future management of the land and forests;
- Getting out to gain first-hand knowledge of the land and working with others to understand and analyse management options
- Preparing proposals that are practical and can be used to obtain regulatory approval, develop our work programmes, and ensure that our land is well managed.
What we are looking for:
- Experience in forest or land management
- Ability to analyse and solve problems creatively
- Good communication and written skills
- Enthusiasm and someone who is comfortable working in a team
- Ability to think strategically and identify consequences of proposals
You can find further information on the areas you can be based at here.
The closing date for applications is 31 May. Interview are expected to take place between 9 and 16 June via Microsoft Teams.
Get in touch
If you would like further information or have any questions, please contact: