Agroforestry Woodland Officer - Chesterfield
We are seeking dynamic individuals with experience in forestry/farming and/or land management, who are quick to learn and can inspire and enthuse others. The Agroforestry Woodland Officer (AFWO) role can be seen as the ‘face’ of the Forestry Commission to landowners, managers and stakeholders interested in exploring agroforestry, representing Forest Services front-line agroforestry expertise.
As a Forestry Commission Area Agroforestry Woodland Officer, you will proactively advise and support Area based staff on agroforestry, providing expert advice on agroforestry development, implementation, regulation, and environmental benefits, with a particular focus on supporting local forest and farming industries.
Each Agroforestry Woodland Officer role will be Area based (East Midlands and West Midlands), covering potentially large areas, but will be part of a team, working alongside FC Woodland Officers (WOs), Woodland Creation Officers (WCOs) and Land Use Advisors (LUAs), who have their own geographic area.The Agroforestry officer will often be brought in on cases where WO’s, WCO’s or LUA’s identify opportunities for agroforestry. You will be required to stay away from home on business occasionally, both within the Forest Services Area where you work, and for National meetings and training purposes.
Future ELMS grants will deliver agroforestry grants that will require direct technical input from the AFWO. They will also be expected to identify woodland creation opportunities and signpost potential applicants to FC WO/WCO staff. Occasionally the AFWO will deliver agroforestry grant schemes alongside England Woodland Creation Offer grants (EWCO) and the Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG), effectively combining different parts of ELMS.
You will have the ability to assist Forestry Commission staff, landowners, and agents to build strong working relationships in its efforts to encourage integrated land use models involving trees, woodland, and forestry. Local stakeholder engagement will be a core part of the role, bringing interested parties and regulators together to find innovative ways to bring farming and forestry closer together to benefit business and environment.