The Commission dates back to 1954 when Civil Service Commission was established by British Colonial Government following Holmes Commission Report, 1948; Civil Service Commission was advisory to the Governor in matters of appointments;

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities at this level will include:-

• Advising the Principal Secretary on matters relating to legislation, policy, coordination, regulation and monitoring of Forest Conservation and Ecological Restoration;
• Overseeing the formulation, implementation and review of forestry and ecological restoration policies, strategies, legislations, guidelines, regulations, standards and plans;
• Supporting implementation of climate change/action policy initiative and spearheading and monitoring development and implementation of national forestry, ecological restoration, green value chains, commercial forestry, agroforestry, dry land forestry programs and projects and forest carbon management;
• Coordinating forestry development, forestry research, innovation, education, and technology transfer;
• Creating awareness and promoting public participation on forest conservation, landscape and ecological restoration;
• Coordinating resources mobilization for implementation of forestry sector programs, projects and strategies;
• Providing guidance on establishment and maintenance of integrated forestry management information system;
• Spearheading the domestication and implementation of multilateral forestry agreements and conventions and promoting partnerships and collaborations in forest conservation, protection and ecological restoration, agroforestry and commercial forestry;
• Guiding the development of a sector-wide framework for mobilizing resources under comprehensive public-private-partnerships to support forestry sector reforms and development;
• Providing leadership in the development and implementation of intergovernmental relations framework to ensure harmony for forestry sector programs;
• Spearheading the adoption of bi-annual National Status reports on Management and Conservation of forests;
• Overseeing the development of a framework to incorporate payment for ecosystem services (PES) and natural capital accounts (NCA) into national income accounts (NIA);
• Overseeing development of forest access roads, wood-based facilities, soil, mining, water harvesting and conservation structures;
• Ensuring establishment and operationalization of forest conservation trust fund;
• Spearheading the development and implementation of the strategic plan,     work plans, budget, performance contract and appraisal;
• Managing and developing staff

For appointment to this grade, a candidate must have:-

• Served for a minimum period of fifteen (15) years in Forest Management and conservation, Ecological Restoration, Agro-Forestry and Commercial Forestry Development or Forest  Policy, three (3) of which must have been in the grade of Deputy Director, CSG 6 and above or in a comparable and relevant position in the wider public service or private sector;
• A Bachelors Degree in any of the following disciplines; Forestry, Agro-Forestry, Wood Science, Industrial Processes and Technology, Natural Resource Conservation, Environmental Conservation, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies and Community Development, Range Management, Environmental and Bio systems Engineering or equivalent qualifications from a university recognized in Kenya;
• A Masters Degree in any of the following disciplines; Forestry, Forest Finance, Forest Economics, Forest Survey, Natural Resources Conservation, Forest Policy, Forest Planning and Management, Agro Forestry and Rural Development, Biodiversity Conservation, Environmental Science, Environmental Governance, Environmental Policy, Environmental Planning and Management, Community Development, Environmental Education or equivalent qualifications from a university recognized in Kenya;
• Demonstrated professional competence, managerial and leadership capabilities as reflected in work performance and results; and
• Exhibited deep understanding of national development polices, goals, legislations, and objectives and ability to integrate them into forestry, ecological restoration, agroforestry development and commercial forestry functions, and related value chain development