Business Support Officer
Forestry Commission
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 27th October 2024
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About the job
Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join Forestry England and play your part in shaping the future of the nation’s forests in Yorkshire. At Forestry England we believe the nation’s forests are a living treasure through which we can have an incredibly positive long-term impact on people’s lives, nature recovery, the climate emergency, and the green economy, all built on a foundation of world-class sustainable forestry.
The Yorkshire Forest District covers an area from Hartlepool to Spurn Head, stretching over the North York Moors National Park, to the Yorkshire Dales and Huddersfield in the west. The district is responsible for the sustainable management of a 21,000-hectare estate, and the team currently consists of over 60 employees, supported by dedicated volunteers.
Based at our offices in Pickering, our Business Support Officers support the administration of the many and varied departments within the district. Although each member has a specific area of responsibility, all Business Support roles are considered integral and interchangeable, providing back-up for colleagues during times of absence or peak workflow, so there’s always something to learn that’s outside of your immediate remit.
We’re passionate about looking after our people and this vacancy is primarily concerned with the administration of Health and Safety compliance, covering such areas as Health & Safety, Staff Training, Fleet Vehicle Administration and Building Management.
Job description
The successful candidate will be part of a team of 6 Business Support staff, who efficiently support the running of the district.
Your Key Work Areas will be to:
- Provide comprehensive administrative support to the Office Manager for People.
- Maintain accurate records regarding Health & Safety compliance.
- Book Training courses for staff, monitor mandatory training completion and maintain accurate records of course completion and certification, providing reports to Senior Managers as requested.
- Maintain accurate records to support our fleet vehicles. Monitoring fuel usage, mileage, MOT renewals, servicing etc.
- Be the main point of contact for the purchase, recording and distribution of Corporate Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment.
- Communicate and engage effectively with a range of people, including internal and external staff and stakeholders. This will include dealing with stakeholder enquiries promptly and courteously by email, telephone, letter or in person, referring to the relevant lead where appropriate.
- Follow corporate guidance in the procurement of appropriate resources, adhering to budgets and monitoring usage.
- Support the development of systems and procedures where necessary to ensure efficiency, quality and cost effectiveness across the business support and administration function.
- File, scan, print and assist with office duties and maintaining accurate and up-to-date records and spreadsheets.
- Answering telephone calls, booking meeting rooms, assisting visitors to the office, handling mail (physical and electronic, incoming and outgoing) and other general administrative tasks requested by Senior Managers
- Responsible for organising and controlling own workload ensuring deadlines are observed and duties performed accurately and efficiently.
- Embrace the Forestry England Values in your everyday behaviour – Think beyond a lifetime, Be adventurous, Do it together and Look out & look after.
- Adhere to the Civil Service Code and its core values of Integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
The duties/responsibilities listed describe the post as it is at present and is not exhaustive. The post holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary to the business.
Person specification
Essential:
- Very competent IT user with practical experience of Microsoft Office applications.
- Experience of working in an office environment, ideally providing administrative support.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team.
- Strong organisational skills and good attention to detail.
- Experience of working under pressure handling multiple tasks and prioritising your own workload.
- Maths and English GCSE/O Level at Grade 4/C or equivalent.
Desirable:
- Proven working experience in either a Health & Safety and/or Training environment.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role.
- An environment with flexible working options.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
- A range of wellbeing benefits including discounted civil service healthcare, access to an Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, Bike to Work Scheme, plus more.
- 25 days annual leave, with 1 additional day for each years’ service up to 5 years (pro rata), plus 10.5 bank holidays/privilege days (pro rata).
- Ability to buy or sell up to 5 days annual leave.
- 3 days volunteering per year (Pro rata).
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
- A CV setting out your work history with key responsibilities and achievements. Please give reasons for any gaps in your employment within the last 2 years.
- A Personal Statement (no longer than 750 words) explaining why you are applying for this vacancy and how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable for the role - with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and we will also assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Forestry Commission from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Where a role has been identified as one which falls under the scope of the Public Sector English Language Requirements, within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English. Applicants will be assessed in the selection process in accordance with the requirements.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Mrs Lee Burkill
- Email : lee.burkill@forestryengland.uk
- Telephone : 07342 086423
Recruitment team
- Email : fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
