Forest Planner – SSSI Specialist

About the role

The Forest Planner will be based at The King's House in Lyndhurst and will travel regularly across Forestry England's South District. The role focuses on developing, reviewing and consulting on forest plans to ensure compliance with UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS) and UK Forest Standard (UKFS).

Key responsibilities

• Lead the review and revision of the New Forest Inclosures Forest Plan, ensuring statutory and policy compliance.
• Evaluate existing plan objectives, assess effectiveness, and propose revisions based on current evidence and site conditions.
• Coordinate and conduct consultation with internal teams, statutory bodies, stakeholder groups and partner organisations.
• Prepare clear planning documents and supporting materials for internal governance and approval.
• Collect and verify data for forest plan areas, supporting mapping and monitoring activities.
• Design long‑term forest management prescriptions that deliver resilient forests for people, wildlife and timber.
• Monitor progress and report on delivery against plan targets.

Required profile

• Ability to work independently for up to one third of the time outdoors.
• Strong time‑management skills to maximise efficiency.
• Experience collaborating with a wide range of Forestry England staff, statutory and non‑governmental organisations.
• Commitment to delivering sustainable forest management in line with UKFS and UKWAS.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to influence forest planning across a national estate.
• Regular field work combined with office‑based planning.
• Professional development within Forestry England’s strategic framework.