Forest Craftsperson – New Forest Open Forest Team

South England Forest District manages some 46,000 (ha) of public forest estate and national parks that stretch from Sussex to Dorset, and from Berkshire to the Isle of Wight.

The varied, mixed woodlands produce some 80,000 m3 of timber each year, of which 20,000 m3 is hardwood. The Land Management Team have responsibility for an extensive programme of habitat restoration, principally ancient woodland and lowland heath.
Much of this land is of high national importance for nature conservation and wildlife, and of international importance for biodiversity. We are responsible for land that includes Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Ramsar sites, Areas of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The District is actively managed for people, nature and climate.

The new Forest Open Forest team delivers key open habitat work programmes effectively, efficiently and safely to maintain the heathlands and woodlands in accordance with Forestry England’s economic, social and environmental management programmes arising from Forest District Plans to meet Business Plan targets.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, hardworking and highly motivated team player who enjoys practical tasks in an outdoor environment. You must be able to work independently as well as part of a team. You will be part of the Open Forest team completing a wide range of management and maintenance tasks to help meet the team's and District's work commitments as instructed by the Open Habitats and Beat Managers.

This role can be physically challenging, and you will be working outdoors in all weather conditions using a variety of equipment including vibrating power tools. During the prescribed burning and fire danger season there will be times when working outside of contracted hours on weekdays and weekends is necessary. Overtime or toil will be offered.

Appropriate on the job training and formal qualifications as well as Personal Protective Equipment will be provided.

Woodland Management

Tasks will include vegetation control/management, fence/gate erection and maintenance, drainage, assisting in the clearance windblown trees and boughs.

Conservation and Environment

Managing Open Forest habitats including seedling pine and birch cutting, holly management & prescribed burning. Delivering the Passage & Access summer programme. Recognition of the ecological importance of the Open Forest habitats, to deliver all works with consideration of the need to minimise disturbance and damage, to be able to demonstrate responsible habitat management

Recreation

Construction and maintenance of recreational facilities. Tasks will include: maintenance of paths/tracks, erection and maintenance of gates, barriers, signs, posts and rails together with vegetation management and communicating with the public.

Team working and Health & Safety

Operate and maintain available tools and resources to required standards and assessing and managing risks to ensure that a safe working site and safe methods and industry standards are maintained. To work constructively and effectively with immediate work colleagues and the wider Forest District team.

We are looking for practical people with a passion for woodlands and forests who have;

Essential Experience:

• Experience of working in a forest or equivalent land-based environment.
• NPTC or equivalent certification in chainsaw use (maintenance, cross cutting and felling up to 380mm), issued within the last 5 years.
• Awareness of Health & Safety in the workplace.
• Ability to work effectively both alone and as part of a small team.
• Basic IT, online platforms and mobile phone apps skills with a willingness to embrace new technologies.
• Experience in fencing and gate erection.

  
  Please clearly demonstrate how the above applies to you throughout your application. Failure to do so will mean that your application is automatically sifted out.

Desirable Experience:

• Brushcutter/Clearing saw qualification.
• Mini digger/excavator tickets.

Behaviours

Working Together

• Proactively contribute to the work of the whole team and remain open to taking on new and different roles.
• Get to know your colleagues and build supportive relationships.
• Listen to alternative perspectives and needs, responding sensitively and checking understanding where necessary.
• Ask for help when needed and support others when the opportunity arises.
• Be aware of the need to consider your own wellbeing and that of your colleagues.
• Understand that bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable.

Managing a Quality Service

• Gain a clear understanding of our customers’ needs and expectations.
• Plan, organise and manage your own time to deliver a high-quality service which gives taxpayers a good return for their money.
• Act to prevent problems by identifying issues, reporting them and providing solutions.
• Keep our customers and all colleagues up to date with progress.
• Show our customers where to access relevant information and support that will help them to use services more effectively.

Technical skills

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

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

• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

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

• A practical skills test to evaluate your experience.

• Flexible working to support a healthy work/life balance.
• 25 days holiday pa with an extra day’s holiday entitlement each year over the first 5 years up to a maximum of 30 days per year, plus bank holidays and 2.5 extra days leave. (all pro-rata)
• 3 days paid volunteering leave every year (once you have passed probation). (pro-rata)
• Access to technical and personal development training and qualifications that are tailored to your role.
• 5 days dedicated to your self-driven development each year. (pro-rata)
• Extensive opportunities for further learning through Civil Service Learning.
• Reimbursement of any professional membership fees.
• Employee benefits that include (but are not limited to) the Cycle to Work scheme, free high-street and online discounts and offers through ‘STaR’, and the opportunity to join the Civil Services Sports Council.
• The brilliant Civil Service Pensions scheme.
• Access to our dedicated Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that gives free, confidential and independent support - whether it is personal or work-related.
• Free eyesight tests and £100 voucher for glasses for visual display usage.
• Pay advances of up to £5,000 for computers, sports equipment, or training costs.
• Free parking at all Forestry Commission sites (including Moors Valley Country Park and Alice Holt Forest) and free entry into our National Arboretum in Westonbirt.
• Up to 15% discount at Forest Live Events, Forest Holidays cabins, and Go Ape outdoor activity centres.
• Numerous retail discounts including 10% off at Forestry Commission shops and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

Job contact :

Name :
Phil Stride
Email :
Phil.Stride@forestryengland.uk

Recruitment team

Email :
fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk