Job summary
About Forestry England
For over 100 years, we have been growing, shaping and caring for over 1,500 of our nation�s forests for the benefit and enjoyment of all, for this generation and the next. We care for more land and trees than any other organisation in England. Shaping landscapes for people, wildlife and timber.�We supply England�s largest amount of sustainably-sourced timber, and conserve thousands of plant and animal species. We care for some of the country�s most important habitats, home to our rarest wildlife. We are recovering vital ecosystems and returning missing species to our landscapes.�With careful planning and expert management, our forests will continue to thrive. Forests store carbon, reduce flooding and provide people of all ages and abilities with fresh air and spaces to breathe. We are always thinking beyond today, planning and planting forests that will help create a sustainable future.
This post is based in the East England Forest District.� The District, with over 150 directly employed staff, covers an area of 35,000 ha from North Norfolk to Brighton; including Thetford Forest and the outlying beats of Sandlings, Kent, East Sussex, Chilterns and Thames Chase Community Forest. The District has a varied landholding including the large pine forest at Thetford, community woodland on the outskirts of London and a range of mixed woodland, many of which are on sites of Ancient Woodland. There are numerous sites of Conservation interest designated across the District, including SPA, SAC, SSSI, AONB, ASNW, CWS and Scheduled Monuments. The District offers outdoor recreation activities to hundreds of thousands of people each year at its recreation centres and the whole freehold estate is dedicated for public access on foot, with numerous small carparks and informal access points.
As an Assistant Area Land Agent, you will be an integral part of the Estates team working directly with our Area Land Agents and other Forestry England teams. �You will hold an appropriate RICS qualification (MRICS or FRICS) and have relevant land and property management experience. �You will be involved in a wide variety of estates work, which will keep your days varied and interesting whilst building your knowledge and experience.
Job description
The post will require regular travel throughout the East England District as well as to other offices nationally.� Therefore, car use is an essential requirement due to remote locations of parts of the District.� Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.
In your role as an Assistant Area Land Agent there will be opportunities for you to develop yourself further as you get involved. You will be involved in wide range of work, including:
1. Managing landlord and tenant relationships, undertaking timely rent reviews, lease renewals, new lettings of commercial, residential, sporting and agricultural agreements and telecoms together with other opportunistic letting arrangements.
2. Assisting in the planning and delivery of commercial projects and improving the financial and environmental sustainability of the estate.
3. Assisting with potential development opportunities and enhancements to income from FC land or property.
4. Providing professional advice to colleagues in other departments and working with a wide range of stakeholders and partner organisations.
5. Supporting the District Building Surveyor in the delivery of asset maintenance programmes and projects.
6. Assisting in the management of litigation claims and legal matters, including protecting Forestry England's assets in relation to access, encroachments, boundary disputes and claims.
7. Assisting in the acquisition and disposal of land and property
Estate Management in East England Forest District is divided into two distinct areas, each headed byan Area Land Agent. East Anglia is managed from the District Office at Santon Downham and the South East is managed from the Bedgebury office. Both areas include extensive areas of forestry and other land, houses, offices, workshops, visitor centres and various other buildings, assets and�facilities. The Estates team also provide extensive support to the forestry, environmental and recreation management departments.�
Person specification
This role is aimed at someone who is either working towards or already RICS qualified and has relevant land and property experience.
Essential:
You will hold at least one of the following qualifications/memberships
8. qualified (or in the process of qualifying) as a Chartered Surveyor (MRICS/FRICS), ideally in rural practice. However, we would consider other pathways, if you can demonstrate the pathway you have followed would be suitable for this role.
9. Fellow of the CAAV (FAAV)
Desirable:
You will have experience of working as a Rural Surveyor in a professional estates service and able to demonstrate detailed knowledge in one or more of the following areas:
10. A good understanding of planning, property and compensation legislation and of compulsory purchase procedures.
11. Providing advice on land and property related matters to minimise project risk and compensation liabilities. Negotiating access to land, securing appropriate interests and settling compensation claims.
12. The management of a diverse land and property portfolio including property management, valuation and landlord and tenant issues to provide sustainable land use and deliver best practice.
13. Experience and competency in IT packages including Microsoft Office.
14. A full and valid UK driving licence.��
You should be able to balance work to ensure that tasks are achieved and have good interpersonal skills in order to build networks and influence both internal and external customers/stakeholders and the effective resolution of issues. You should be able to identify and implement areas of best practice.
Qualifications
You will hold at least one of the following qualifications/memberships:
qualified (or in the process of qualifying) as a Chartered Surveyor (MRICS/FRICS), ideally in rural practice. However, we would consider other pathways, if you can demonstrate the pathway you have followed would be suitable for this role.
Memberships
You will hold at least one of the following qualifications/memberships:
qualified (or in the process of qualifying) as a Chartered Surveyor (MRICS/FRICS), ideally in rural practice. However, we would consider other pathways, if you can demonstrate the pathway you have followed would be suitable for this role.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
15. Working Together
16. Communicating and Influencing
17. Delivering at Pace
18. Making Effective Decisions
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �37,485, Forestry Commission contributes �10,859 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
19. Learning and development tailored to your role
20. An environment with flexible working options
21. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
22. A with an employer contribution of
23. 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.
24. 25 days annual leave, with 1 additional day for each years� service up to 5 years (pro rata), plus bank holidays/privilege days (pro rata).
25. Ability to buy or sell 5 days annual leave.
26. 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. Further information will be available for candidates invited to interview.