Communications Officer

We’re looking for an experienced Communications Officer to lead and deliver communications across the Forest of Dean, helping tell the story of one of England’s oldest and most unique forests.

We are looking for someone who has a strong communications background and a love for the Forest of Dean to continue the positive work of telling the rich story of the Forest. You will be responsible for developing and delivering proactive and reactive communications that support organisational objectives, promote Forestry England’s work, and help build public understanding of how we manage the nation’s forests sustainably.

The role involves working closely with our wider marketing and communications team, colleagues in operational roles and a range of partners to identify opportunities, develop content, manage media relations, and ensure consistent messaging across a range of channels.

Please see the job description below for more information and details about what we need from you.

This role will be based in our office in Coleford, Gloucestershire.

Some home working would be considered but you will need to spend the majority of time in the office or on-site.

Alongside your salary, Forestry England contributes an average of 28.97% towards your pension. You will become a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.

• 25 days holiday a year, raising by one day every year’s service, up to 30 days (pro-rated for part time employees) plus additional days off such as bank holidays.
• STaRis our employee benefits scheme offering discounts on everyday supermarket shopping, as well as other things such as hotel stays clothes, mobile phones, other electrical items, medical and car insurance, holidays, gym discounts, household bills, Headspace wellbeing app.
• free parking at Forestry England sites and free entry to our National Arboretums at Westonbirt and Bedgebury.
• a commitment to lifelong learning through career development. Forestry England will support your career development in a variety of ways, including continual professional development, support for individual learning plans and sponsored membership of professional bodies.

Read more about the benefits on the Forestry England website.

Key responsibilities & accountabilities

• Develop and deliver compelling content to tell the story of sustainable forest management, and our work for wildlife, for people, and for the climate
• Promote good news stories and support key projects with activity including press releases, website updates, social media content, and internal communications
• Lead reactive communications for emerging issues, ensuring messaging is timely, accurate and consistent
• Design and implement communications around forest operations and other works taking place within the forest
• Plan and develop interpretative signage, working with our design team
• Collaboratively manage social media channels, creating content and responding to messages
• Oversee the content and quality of relevant pages of the Forestry England website
• Develop and maintain relationships with external partners, e.g. Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, RSPB
• Track and measure the impact and effectiveness of our communications, in line with team KPIs
• Respond efficiently and effectively to emergency situations as they arise, providing crisis management communications support to front-line staff
• Plan work and deliver according to a yearly budget
• Work with the wider district engagement team to plan campaigns and initiatives collaboratively
• Actively engage with local delivery team meetings and build positive working relationships with colleagues in a range of different job roles
• Support internal communications by supplying engaging stories for the…