DIO Forestry Graduate Scheme for Ministry of Defence

Job summary

Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is the estate expert providing advice on infrastructure and estate management across the defence estate in the UK and overseas. Do you want to influence the way almost 1% of the UK land area is managed? DIO manages the largest and most diverse part of the public estate, which has been described as the most important estate for wildlife and natural capital in the country with 37% designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Managing the estate in a sustainable way enables the armed forces and Defence civilians to live, work and train. It also supports wider government objectives and the public by delivering a range of ecosystem services ranging from pollinators, carbon sequestration and nature recovery.

Through our people, experience, skills and data, we are the Defence estate experts. We are the primary provider of Defence infrastructure and estate management advice both in the UK and overseas. We support the Armed Forces to enable military capability, and by delivering infrastructure improvements and estate management in a sustainable way we seek to improve the experience for our service personnel, their families and defence civilians to live work and train across the estate.

Job description

The MOD Estate includes MOD Barracks, Airfields, Naval Bases and a vast training estate that extends from the marine environment, through dune systems and across the UK to the mountainous forests and moorlands of Scotland and Northern Ireland.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Forestry Team supporting the development and management of this multifaceted, heavily designated estate with an emphasis on tree safety management, sustainable woodland management and woodland creation. As a Graduate Forester you will work towards gaining your Professional Membership with the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF).

DIO Technical Services

Technical Services provides in-house expertise to DIO and the wider MOD; the specialist skills available through the Technical Services team span natural capital, environmental planning, sustainable development, climate resilience, forestry, access & recreation, archaeology and historic buildings, as well as ecology.

Person specification

The successful graduates will be expected to start in September 2026. You will work within a small team in the DIO Technical Services Environmental Management, Protection and Sustainability (EMPS) business area. During your time as a Graduate Forester, you will: 

• Support Head Foresters with audit and assurance inspections, which will focus on health and safety, compliance with MOD policy and legislation forestry/arboricultural operations and industry partner contract delivery.
• Adhere to health and safety protocols and guidelines while working in outdoor and woodland environments.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of sustainable forestry practices and management plans.
• Assist in conducting field surveys and assessments to gather data on forest ecosystems, biodiversity, and habitat conservation.
• Assist in the preparation of long-term forest plans, reports, presentations, and other materials related to forestry and tree related projects.
• Collaborate with MoD staff and external partners to support wider engagement and knowledge about trees, woods and forests.
• Support Head Foresters with desktop and site inspections to identify possible woodland creation opportunities, collaborating closely with military representatives and the wider DIO team for each site.

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