Area Land Agent - West District
Forestry Commission
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 3rd November 2024
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About the job
Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join Forestry England, the country's largest land management organisation. The West Forest District is responsible for the sustainable management of over 37,500ha of woods and forests across the west and south-west of England, covering an area from Shrewsbury in the north to Truro in the south-west.
The West District team consists of over 150 employees, with 12 forest area and 3 recreation hub delivery teams operating from 11 office/depot/visitor centre sites. The Estate Management team in West Forest District consists of two Area Land Agents, both supported by an Assistant Land Agent and the Head of Estates. Also in the team is the Deputy Gaveller (mine surveyor for the Forest of Dean), Land Surveyor, Estates Officer and two Forest Wardens, all supported by three Admin Officers. A third Land Agent manages our Buildings and Projects Team, which consists of two Building Surveyors and two Project Development / Delivery Managers, as well as business administration support.
The vacant Area Land Agent post covers the north half of the district: the counties of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Wiltshire, and Shropshire in which our main forests are: the Forest of Dean, Savernake Forest, the Wyre Forest, and Mortimer Forest.
The post is based in the Grade II listed historic office Bank House in Coleford in the heart of the Forest of Dean. This post will line manage an Assistant Area Land Agent, the Deputy Gaveller, Land Surveyor and Estates Officer.
The Area Land Agents have a pivotal role in the West Forest District team, both providing the forestry area, and recreation management teams with professional advice and support; as well as proactively leading on the management of and legal negotiations for the renewal of a wide range of property related agreements for agricultural, sporting and commercial properties on both Forestry England freehold and leasehold land.
In addition, the role will involve the management of third-party liability claims in liaison with our legal advisers, undertaking RICS Red Book valuations for financial purposes, dealing with capital investments in redundant properties as well as new buildings, handling wayleaves and deeds of grant for access with utility companies and developers and working on tenders and leases for new recreation activities and development projects.
The Area Land Agent is also cost centre manage for the Estates Management budgets within their area.
Job description
As the largest land manager in England, delivering for people, for wildlife and the climate, Forestry England has a large and extremely varied property portfolio. The team has responsibility for nearly 200 built assets, including houses and farms, offices and depot facilities and visitor centres, along with quarries, telecommunication masts, agricultural land, sporting lets and recreation activities, the portfolio brings a diverse range of challenges to the Estates team, with often complex and long-term relationships with many landlords, tenants and neighbours.
The Area Land Agent's work covers:
- Working as an integral part of a team of dedicated professional advisers, providing support to the front-line delivery teams on a varied number of matters including boundary, access tenancy and neighbour relation issues.
- Proactively leading on negotiations regarding new or renewals of property agreements, tenancies, deeds of grant etc.
- Leading the management of third-party liability claims in liaison with our legal advisers.
- Undertaking RICS Red Book valuations for financial purposes and working with colleagues in support of major development and investment projects.
- Budget management.
- The Land Agent team is a highly valued part of the District management team, providing strong and reliable leadership in addition to their specific professional services.
Person specification
The Area Land Agent role is a professional position requiring current membership of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) as either MRICS or AssocRICS - this is Essential.
Applicants will be either Registered Valuers (desirable) or working towards being Registered Valuers (Essential).
Proven experience in mixed use property management, managing landlord and tenant relationships, negotiating rent reviews, lease renewals and new agreements and undertaking valuations is considered essential.
The successful candidate will have experience working within a team and with external consultants. Whilst the post will directly line manage staff, experience of line management is not required as full training and support will be given.
The role requires flexibility and an ability to switch from one task to another according to the short and medium term priorities of the team (Essential).
The ability to analyse complex and unusual estate management issues and develop detailed solutions would be advantageous.
Conflict resolution and management is part of the role which requires tact and diplomacy. (Essential).
Forestry England values diversity and inclusion, and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to volunteer to act as an Inclusion Ambassador, Mental Health First Aider, Wellbeing Champion or First Aider within the team. The district also supports volunteering in the community and all staff are permitted to use three working days per annum to volunteer in the community as part of our commitment to social responsibility and personal well-being.
Forestry England supports continuous professional development and all team members are expected to have and maintain a Learning Plan that supports their own, and the team’s development.
Forestry England uses the Microsoft Office Suite – Outlook, TEAMS, Sharepoint, Word, and Excel, as well as a GIS system. Working knowledge of these systems would be an advantage. Full training can be given in the specifics of the organisations own GIS system.
Qualifications
Applicants must be MRICS or AssocRICS.
Memberships
Applicants must have current Associate or Chartered membership of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
- 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%
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 career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided any reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
- A personal statement of suitability (max 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal experience is relevant to this role. Please demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the person specification.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Interviews will be conducted in person. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.
Candidates will be further assessed on Behaviours/Experience at interview.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 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.
The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.
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 : Estates West England
- Email : Estates.West.England@forestryengland.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
