Career Opportunities in the Forest Service

There are no vacancies for jobs within the Northern Ireland Forest Service at the present time. This page may help you better understand our recruitment policies and procedures.

About Us

The Forest Service is an Executive Agency of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for N.I. It is headed by a Chief Executive and managed by a Board comprising of the CEO, 4 Directors and a Non-Executive Director. The Agency’s HQ is at Dundonald House Belfast and its operational activities are organised through three District offices located at Castlewellan, Enniskillen and Garvagh.

Jobs

Forest Service employs approximately 250 Industrial, 70 Professional and Technical and 60 Administrative staff. These include forest workers, harvesters, fitters, mechanics, craftsmen, supervisors, forest officers, engineers, mappers and administrative grades.

Recruitment Procedures

Recruitment of staff in the NI Civil Service is undertaken on behalf of the Recruitment Service by HR Connect. Press advertisement is used and advertisements are placed in Northern Ireland local daily papers and, in the case of certain forestry posts, UK forestry specialist magazines. Administrative posts are filled using the internal mechanisms of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development via Recruitment Service and HR Connect.

Details of vacancies, together with more detailed information on the posts, application forms and the criteria to be used during the recruitment and selection process, can be found on the HR Connect site accessed via www.nicsrecruitment.gov.uk.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What qualifications and experience do I need to become a Forester?

Entry level to the Forest Officer grades is at Forest Officer III level. We currently ask for a minimum of

a BTEC or SCOTVEC Higher National Diploma in Forestry;
at least 1 year’s practical experience in the forestry industry gained within the last 5 years. This may have been gained prior to or as part of the qualification at 1. above; and
a full current driving licence enabling the holder to drive in Northern Ireland and access to a form of transport which will permit the holder to meet the requirements of the post in full.

2. Do you accept degrees from any degree discipline?

Only degrees and qualifications specific to forestry are acceptable. The qualifications mentioned at 1. Above are minimum requirements and equivalent or higher qualifications are acceptable, e.g. ND and HND in Forestry, BSc degree in Forestry.

3. Can you take my name and send me an application when you advertise next?

No, unfortunately neither Forest Service nor Recruitment Service is allowed to do this for reasons of equal opportunity for all.

4. Where will I be posted to if I am successful in getting a job?

Applicants could be posted anywhere in N.I. and the initial posting will be determined by business needs at the time of recruitment.

5. How will I know when Forest Service is recruiting?

Details of any job opportunities within the Forest Service will appear on this page. In addition for people resident in Northern Ireland, advertisements will normally appear in all three main daily papers i.e. Belfast Telegraph, Irish News and News Letter.

For those outside Northern Ireland the Belfast Telegraph has a Website where you can access vacancies advertised under “Job Finder”. Forest Officer posts are advertised in the popular UK wide forestry journals.

Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for the trees and timber industry, provides information and advice to help increase your skills.