Technical Development Team Leader

Vacancy Description

BACKGROUND ON TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT

Technical Development (TD) is a branch of the Forest Research Agency. TD develops, evaluates, and publicises safe and efficient equipment and methods of work. TD staff become experts and influential in their fields, giving advice to all levels of Forest Enterprise (FE), Forestry Commission (FC) and the private sector. Working at the forefront of forest operations, development can lead to the requirement for their being FC representative on various national or international projects for committees. Travel within the UK (and possibly overseas) is required.

PURPOSE OF JOB

The Team Leader is responsible for liaison with customers at various levels in terms of identification of new business opportunities, project and partnership development, ensuring objectives are clearly defined and fully meet customers’ requirements. This is an exciting post, which will enable the post holder to develop and display a full range of management skills, being responsible for business development, people, project, and financial management of the Rugeley team. You will be at the forefront of industry method and system development, but will maintain links with forest practice, management, and operations. The post requires you to work away from home regularly and to work extended hours at times (mainly for travelling).

KEY WORK AREAS

1. MANAGING THE TEAM - To manage, coach and work with the Rugeley Team in order to meet project requirements as detailed by customers and Forest Research (FR) and to ensure efficient use of staff resources.

2. WORK PROGRAMMES – Support project leaders in their planning and management of their programmes of work, ensuring that all work is to the customers’ requirements and satisfaction.

3. RESOURCE CONTROL – Contribute to the objectives of FR by managing the Business Plan/Budget for the Rugeley Team.

4. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT – Maintain good customer liaison, identifying and developing business opportunities as resources allow.

5. PERSONAL EXPERTISE - To develop personal expertise in harvesting and processing, particularly in the areas of woodfuel production and small-scale harvesting and to provide expert advice to industry.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS AND ABILITIES

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

You should have a forestry degree or higher qualification.

DESIRABLE

You will have experience and knowledge of forestry operations, particularly harvesting, an understanding of basic forest economics and a good understanding of environmental and health and safety guidelines and their application.

ESSENTIAL

MANAGING PEOPLE/LEADING A TEAM

You will be the Reporting Officer for 2 members of staff at Rugeley and 2 based in Wales. You should be an enthusiastic team player who motivates and coaches staff to achieve results, recognising and praising achievements but able to address poor performance, following 'good practice' guidance when required. You will support staff in identifying and meeting personal development needs and have an open and approachable management style, which encourages staff to put forward ideas, views and to give feedback.

ESSENTIAL

PLANNING AND ORGANISING WORK

You are able to identify and agree realistic and challenging objectives which meet both the team’s and Technical Development’s objectives. You can organise work to make effective use of resources in accordance with objectives and plans. You identify others who are involved in the planning process and are able to identify and or obtain the necessary resources to carry out work programmes. Importantly you have a proven ability to deliver work to tight deadlines where necessary and work effectively on several tasks at the same time. You must be adaptable and able to meet the challenges that changes often impose.

ESSENTIAL

PROJECT/PROGRAMME/SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT (SLA) MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Standards are essential in maintaining the quality of work within TD. You must be able to manage the Southern Team work programme in relation to the standards given. Within this framework you must balance the needs with availability of resources and take account of existing workloads in allocating work.

ESSENTIAL

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

You must be able to anticipate problems using your knowledge and experience, be able to identify and clearly define key issues, and decide on and or recommend the most suitable course(s) of action from a range of possible options and ensure that decisions are informed by the relevant technical/specialist expertise or by sound analysis. You should be alert and responsive to the needs and interests of others involved in this process. You should be able to demonstrate a creative and constructive approach to problem solving.

ESSENTIAL

WRITTEN AND ORAL COMMUNICATION

You must have well-developed report writing skills and be able to write clear, well-ordered reports/submissions/briefings, which interpret and present complex or specialist/operational/policy matters and the range of options/recommendations/decisions with logic, authority and persuasion. You must have a proven ability in identifying customers'/colleagues' needs through detailed discussions of complex issues. You need to be a good listener and be responsive to others' reactions and views. You will represent the FC in a professional manner at formal external meetings with other departments, special interest groups, contractors, local authorities etc, and be expected to prepare thoroughly and deliver confidently on such occasions.

ESSENTIAL

REPRESENTATION AND CUSTOMER CARE

You must have a track record in building and maintaining good business relations with customers/suppliers, neighbours/other departments/contractors and the public. During project discussions you will be expected to make realistic comments to others and show commitment to achieving realistic targets and to keep agreements made with others. Where this is not possible, you will be expected to discuss and agree alternative courses of action.

ESSENTIAL

OTHER SKILLS

The duties of this post require that applicants hold a full driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by disabled applicants, whose disability prevents them from driving, that would allow them to do the job by another means. The successful candidate will have to attend a 4-week residential course in work-study as part of their new entrant training.

ESSENTIAL

How To Apply

For an application pack please email: recruitment@forestry.gsi.gov.uk stating your full name and address or write to Shireen West, HR Services, 231 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 7AT.

Quote reference number HR56/144.

Application forms are also available from our website: www.forestry.gov.uk/vacancies.

Applicants who reach a suitable standard in this competition, but are not appointed, may be considered for other vacancies.

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