Forest Craftsperson

What you’ll do…

You will support the beat forester in shaping the land we manage, undertaking a range of operations and inspections in the forest, and assisting with practical matters that may arise. You will be a champion of our health and safety culture, demonstrating our value of ‘look out and look after’ in our work.

Please see the job description below for more information and details about what we need from you.

Where you’ll work…

This role is based in the Chilterns beat, covering Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Berkshire. You will be based from The Forestry Commission office near Wendover Woods, situated in the beautiful surroundings of the Chiltern Hills, Upper Icknield Way, Aylesbury, HP22 5NF.

Key responsibilities & accountabilities
Operational:

• restock and establishment work: hand planting, tree guard construction, repairing fences and controlling vegetation.
• clearing and maintaining trees: high pruning, cutting back and felling.
• tree safety work: surveys, putting up safety signs and safety fencing.
• tree survey work related to managing potentially hazardous trees.
• estate maintenance work such as high pruning operations to maintain access and the management or clearance of trees or other vegetation.
• make sure work programmes you are responsible for are delivered effectively and efficiently.
• surveying, including measuring/tariffing, tree safety, stocking density and a variety of recreation trails.
• when needed, gather operational data accurately and efficiently and maintain appropriate up to date records to the standard required.

Team working and health and safety:

• operate and maintain tools and resources to required standards and make sure work on site meets our health and safety standards.
• by effectively liaising with colleagues and stakeholders, plan, implement and deliver efficient work programmes that help meet Forestry England’s aims and objectives.
• engage proactively and respond constructively to existing and prospective customers and present the highest standards of professionalism when representing Forestry England in the marketplace.
• carrying out risk assessments working to high health and safety standards which are guided by FISA (Forest Industry Safety Accord).
• And any other tasks, reasonably requested by your line manager.

Person Specification

Essential Professional & Technical Experience

• practical experience in forestry or countryside / environmental management.
• general understanding of forestry, arboriculture, nature conservation, outdoor recreation and countryside- related issues.
• competently use a range of hand tools.
• awareness of health and safety systems relevant to practical countryside work e.g. risk assessments, Forest Industry Safety Accord (FISA) guides and lone working systems.
• competent IT user with experience in MS Office suite of applications.
• good interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to work effectively alone and as part of a team.

Essential Qualifications

• City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Award or equivalent in one or more practical forestry skills such as chainsaw maintenance, cross cutting, and felling and processing trees up to 380mm or equivalent qualification.
• full UK driving license; 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

• forestry or land management qualification.
• further NPTC and Lantra qualifications in Forestry based skills.
• emergency first aid at work + forestry (F).
• a GCSE in Maths and English or functional skills equivalent

How to Apply

You will be asked to write a 200 word statement on your relevant experience and career history, along with a personal statement of no more than 500 words. You will be assessed on both during sifting. More details about how to apply are listed on the application form.

During the interview stage, you will be assessed on technical skills, strengths, and behaviours.

The Behaviours being assessed at interview are –

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

Successful candidates will undergo a criminal record check and the government baseline personnel security standard check.

If you require any reasonable adjustments, please email fcrecruitmentteam@forestryengland.uk.