Spatial Analyst

Job summary

The Forestry Commission increases the value of woodlands to society and the environment. Our work with England’s trees, woodlands and forests is vital to helping tackle climate change and providing a much-needed sanctuary for people and wildlife. Our government is committed to increasing tree canopy and woodland cover to at least 16.5% of total land area by 2050, and restoring or creating more than 500,000 hectares of a range of wildlife-rich habitats outside protected sites by 2042.

We aim to expand, protect, improve and connect woodlands across the country. If you are passionate about the role of trees, woodlands and forestry in creating a better future for England and want to play a key part in realising that we want to hear from you.

This role is located in Forest Services’ (FS) Strategy and Transformation Team which enables FS staff to do their best work. This role is in the Economics, Evidence and Analysis team which provides a range of analytical multi-profession support. The team supports colleagues in forestry policy, grants and regulations and front-line delivery across England.

We are looking for a Spatial Analyst to produce, deliver and advise on geospatial data, maps, statistics, and data visualisation across Forest Services. The role will focus on using geographical and statistical evidence and analysis to support work on any of the Forestry Commission’s aims and goals for the natural environment, people and economy.

You will be guided and supported by the team leadership as well as working closely with customers across the organisation. You will liaise regularly with stakeholders in Forest Research and beyond.

The successful candidate for this post will be competent working with geospatial data, producing high quality maps and statistics, well able to carefully follow professional processes and communicate accurate, relevant and timely evidence.

You will need a diplomatic and positive approach to the work to build and maintain relationships with all stakeholders. Problem solving will be needed to define, document and implement a range of short term and some larger analytical projects with precision.

The post holder will be responsible, able to think carefully through, agree and carry out analytical projects. Tasks will include computing, collating, quality assuring, managing, analysing, documenting and aptly presenting geospatial and statistical data and metadata. Tasks will principally use geographical information systems (ESRI ArcGIS), spreadsheets and data visualisation techniques to serve customers, putting their needs at the heart of everything you do.

Job description

Key work areas

• Work with others and self-reliantly to plan, agree and conduct bespoke desktop GIS and statistical analyses for Forest Services customers, using GIS software (including ESRI ArcGIS and Python), office software (including MS Excel & MS Word) and delivering appropriate visualisations in maps, tables and text to agreed timescales and professional standards (some MS PowerBI).
• Work across the Forestry Commission and sometimes Defra group computing, collating, quality assuring, managing, analysing, documenting and aptly presenting geospatial and statistical data and metadata.
• Help manage data for our enterprise-wide GIS systems and data sharing and licencing.
• Contribute to Forestry Commission Official Statistics and management information and to other analyses for the FC in support of its goals.
• Support policy and delivery colleagues by giving technical advice on policy questions at meetings.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Ability to compute, collate, quality assure, manage, analyse, document and aptly present geospatial and statistical data and metadata to meet customers’ requirements to professional standards.
• Experience in the successful use of desktop GIS software; e.g. ESRI ArcGIS Pro, and spreadsheet software; e.g. MS Excel, to produce maps, statistics and text reports. Experience in interactive data visualisation (tables, graphs and maps); e.g. MS PowerBI. Experience in or willingness and aptitude to learn to produce deliverables in Python programming language.
• Experience of successful data management and quality assurance. Experience of successful analysis and presentation of geospatial and statistical reports including management of these projects.
• A degree in Geographical Information Systems or a related field, and/or equivalent relevant experience.

Desirable criteria:

• Experience in using natural environment, social and economic data.
• A Master's degree in Geographical Information Systems or a related field, and/or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience in project management.
• Experience of using spatial data within the context of policy development.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Experience in using GIS software (e.g. ESRI ArcGIS Pro), MS Excel and Power BI to produce maps, statistics, reports and interactive data visualisations, and experience in or the aptitude to learn to produce deliverables using Python.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £40,388, Forestry Commission contributes

£11,700 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• A range of family friendly benefits.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment.
• A range of wellbeing benefits including discounted Civil Service Healthcare,access to an Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, Bike to Work Scheme, plus many 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 5 days annual leave.
• 3 days volunteering per year (pro rata).

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

This is a Temporary Appointment until 30 March 2027, with the possibility of extension or permanency but no guarantee.

As part of the application process, you will complete the following:

• A tailored CV setting out your career history with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
• A personal statement – in no more than 750 words showing how you meet the essential criteria of the person specification.
• 250 word statement in relation to the behaviour being assessed for this vacancy (Making Effective Decisions).

Applications will be sifted week commencing 14th September 2026. This date is subject to change.

We will be conducting online interviews with the use of Microsoft Teams or equivalent online communication methods. Candidates would therefore require access to a computer and internet at interview stage. The interviews will be based on Technical Skills, Experience, Strengths and Civil Service Behaviours.

Interviews will be held in the week commencing 28th September 2026. This timing is subject to change.

• Further Information  
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• 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 visit the Childcare Choices website .  

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.

Existing Civil Servants (excluding Forestry Commission employees) and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, and will only be considered on a loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant.

Existing Forestry Commission, Forestry England and Forest Research employees are eligible to apply for this Fixed Term Appointment and will only be considered if there is written confirmation from their line manager and HR that their current role will be temporarily backfilled or held open before commencing the application process.

This is a full-time role, or part-time for a minimum of 30h/week. 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

Travel options include: -  

Some occasional travel may be required as part of the duties of this post. The FC is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any method of travel, subject to prior approval. Successful candidates wishing to use their own private vehicle for business travel will need to comply with the FC Travel Policy on CO2 emissions.

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. 

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• If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 
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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 ema