Location
Coleford, Forest of Dean, or Haldon, Devon, or another local office within West district of Forestry England. The district extends from the Shropshire Hills National Landscape to Savernake Forest in Wiltshire and Idless Woods near Truro in Cornwall. Travel across the district is an important part of the role.

Hours
37 hours per week

Salary
£33,854 per annum

About the Role
The Volunteering and Community Engagement Officer role balances two pivotal and complementary areas of work. Community engagement involves working across all forest beats to ensure woods are welcoming and safe for local communities, facilitating visits, and increasing understanding and support for Forestry England’s work. The volunteering aspect provides specialist support to those offering volunteering opportunities at forest beats and main recreation sites, ensuring best practice and adding value as the number and quality of volunteering opportunities grow in line with the Growing the Future to 2031 strategy. This role contributes to creating amazing places and experiences, providing vital homes for wildlife, improving air quality, and producing sustainable timber.

Benefits
Forestry England contributes an average of 28.97% towards your pension through the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme. You will receive 25 days holiday per year, increasing by one day per year of service up to 30 days (pro-rated for part-time employees), plus bank holidays. The STaR employee benefits scheme offers discounts on supermarket shopping, hotels, clothing, mobile phones, insurance, holidays, gym memberships, household bills, and wellbeing apps. Free parking at Forestry England sites and free entry to National Arboretums at Westonbirt and Bedgebury are included. Forestry England supports lifelong learning and career development through continual professional development, individual learning plans, and sponsored membership of professional bodies.

Experience
Experience relevant to community engagement and volunteering coordination is desirable. Ability to work across multiple sites and engage with diverse community groups is important.

About you
Passionate about forests and community involvement, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Able to work collaboratively and independently, managing a quality service. Enthusiastic about supporting volunteers and fostering positive relationships with local communities. Willingness to travel regularly across the district.

Qualifications
No specific qualifications are mandated, but relevant experience and a commitment to professional development are valued. Successful candidates will undergo a criminal record check and government baseline personnel security standard check. Ability to communicate effectively in accurate spoken English is essential.