Bedgebury Pinetum Craftsperson

About the Job

Forestry England is seeking a motivated individual to join the team managing the botanical tree collection at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest.

The job is at the Bedgebury office in Goudhurst, near Tunbridge Wells and is part of the East England Forest District. The East District employs over 150 staff, covers an area of 35,000 ha from North Norfolk to Brighton. Huge conifer plantations in Norfolk contrast with small ancient woodlands in Essex and Kent; along with two beautiful arboretums – the National Pinetum at Bedgebury and the Lynford Arboretum.

Bedgebury is home to the National Conifer Collection which is managed for a range of purposes, such as: to support the conservation of conifers; to improve people’s understanding of trees and the environment; to be a research site for the trial of future forestry species; and to provide opportunities for outdoor recreation. The National Pinetum borders Bedgebury Forest and there are visitor facilities that cross the boundaries between these areas.

Purpose of the Job

To work as part of the Tree Team at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest completing a wide range of tasks to help meet the sites work commitments, H&S responsibilities and ongoing routine maintenance tasks.

Job Description

Help manage, maintain and develop Bedgeburys internationally important botanical collection of trees. The work will involve planting, pruning and weeding trees and shrubs.

Maintain various habitats within the Pinetum tree collection using a variety of machinery.

Operate tractors and mowers to complete work programmes across the Bedgebury estate.

Carry out a range of practical maintenance jobs throughout the Bedgebury estate, working effectively as part of a team, when requested responding quickly to unexpected work and issues raised by supervisors.

Undertake maintenance, monitoring and data-gathering tasks such as the assessment of newly planted trees.

Help support the other teams on site to deliver Bedgeburys business needs.

The role involves manual work almost entirely spent outdoors in all weathers in the forest environment. The job is varied and wide ranging, requiring close team working, enthusiasm and ability to deliver at pace across a range of skills and disciplines.

We require all our staff to be welcoming, enthusiastic and approachable, with a willingness to engage with team discussions and with the visitors to Bedgebury in a polite and appropriate manner.

Person Specification

Essential

Good understanding of health and safety issues relating to working in a public access site. Experience of groundwork or site maintenance. Ability to use a wide range of hand tools.

 A full UK driving licence is essential for this role. The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.

Desirable

Experience in the use and maintenance of a range of landscaping, arboriculture or forestry tools and machinery
Experience of working in a botanic or landscape garden. A relevant qualification in horticulture, land management or forestry.

Full job details and how to apply.