We are recruiting for a Work Programme Manager to develop programmes of work across all our forestry, environmental and recreation activities to encourage efficient sequencing and integration of work.
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 interested in working at pace, juggling the sequence and location of activities across a large area, then this may be the job for you.
We are looking for dynamic people with logistical skills, who have an interest in making the most of the opportunities that the land has to offer, and are keen to ensure that the management of our land is delivered in a coordinated and cost effective way, to ensure the land is in good heart for future generations.
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 testiomals from current Work Programme Managers:
Alistair Angus, Central Region
"A work programme manager compiles programmes of work from land management plans and other schedules, and agrees delivery methods and timescales with other colleagues. A programme manager is the interface between planning and delivering what we do, the glue that binds both together.
It is crucial that I have good working relations with my colleagues. My role relies on good quality input from colleagues, and I make every effort to provide colleagues with as much support as I possibly can.
I worked for many years in delivering felling and restock programmes but now I really enjoy the challenge of planning programmes of work. The knowledge from my previous role really help me as a programme manager to understand the requirement of the delivery team.
As a programme manager, I cover a wide range of topics and I like having a feel for what is happening across all the land we manage. I have become accustomed to juggling many different issues at any given time, and deciding on the best outcome. It is essential in my role to be decisive and look for the most productive land management decision, for any given situation.
I think the programme manager role is a very important role in any region, and I would thoroughly recommend the role to anyone. I enjoy the mixture of forwardplanning and the drive provided by working with the delivery team."
Alastair Cumming, West Region
"My job as programme planner involves extracting the management objectives and approvals from land management plans and providing the delivery team with a coherent programme which meets the regions needs and the delivery teams requirements.
I enjoy the mixture of forward planning and the drive provided by working with the delivery team. As I have a holistic view of the programme it enables me to interlink objectives and find synergies between operations which is particularly satisfying. I work within a great team and also get support from national colleagues which allows for great professional development. Whilst working as a Programme Manager I was able to complete my Honours Degree in Forest Management."
Joe Whitelegge, North Region
"Having joined as a programme manager a year ago I am fairly new to the role.
My main focus has been to compile and manage the harvesting, roading and restocking programme but I also have been given other opportunities, including becoming a tree health champion. As a result, I am involved with the planning and management of steep, difficult and high risk Phytophthora ramorum felling sites across the region.
This role really allows me to get in the centre of all aspects of forestry and silviculture and is a key communication point for all areas of the business. My role provides a good mix of desk and field work from Skye to Caithness and allows me to meet everyone working across the Region.
My previous role had been within the operational side of Forestry and Land Scotland where I worked as a Harvesting and Forest Management Supervisor. This has given me good practical grounding and experience to bring to the development of programmes.
The job is challenging and can stretch your patience, but as my predecessor stated to me when I took up the role - “it’s by far the best, most interesting job in Forestry and Land Scotland” and most days I am inclined to agree with him."
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.
This post has 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 3 year programmes of work across all relevant functions – from felling programmes to native woodland restoration and recreation site management;
- Preparing the related detailed ‘work plans’ associated with individual activities;
- Getting out to gain first-hand knowledge of the land and working with others to understand the full breadth of work involved and explore the timing and sequencing options.
What we are looking for:
- Experience in forest or land management;
- Enthusiasm for juggling spatial and sequencing information;
- Good logistical and communication skills;
- Someone who is comfortable working in a team.
You can find further information on the areas you can be based at here.
The closing date for applications is 29 May, with sift due to take place on 31 May and 1 June. Interview dates are to be confirmed, however these will take place over Microsoft Teams.
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