Forester

Location

Colden Common, South East England, SO21 1EX

About the Job

As Forester for woodland creation, you will be a part of the South district team, working closely with the national woodland creation team to deliver Forestry England’s ambitions for expanding woodland in England. You will help develop high quality plans and coordinate delivery of forest operations on our new woodland creation sites in Hampshire and Kent. Currently, there are 2 new woodland creation sites amounting to 234.31 hectares. There may be a future requirement to support other woodland creation projects which may involve travel and overnight stays across England.

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

Where you’ll work…

You will be based in the south of England with work in Hampshire and Kent. There may also be a requirement to travel across England occasionally.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities 

• As a core member of the project team, actively work with colleagues to develop high quality woodland creation plans that comply with UKFS and UKWAS
• Plan and implement a range of forest operations on new woodland creation sites following procurement guidelines
• Report on progress and highlight risks to delivery to the national Woodland Creation Team, proactively identifying solutions
• Monitor and supervise contractors to ensure compliance with contract specifications and industry best practice, ensuring health and safety requirements are met
• Manage and monitor project budgets against the agreed bottom line, ensuring compliance with financial guidelines and always seeking value for money
• Build strong working relationships with stakeholders to achieve buy-in
• Support with the delivery of public and stakeholder consultations
• Ensure operations and activities are monitored and lessons

Person Specification

Essential professional and technical experience

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and GIS software
• Experience of contract supervision
• Experience working to meet tight deadlines
• Good understanding of health and safety in forest operation
• Experience of developing and managing successful relationships with stakeholders

Desirable professional and technical experience

• Good understanding of UKFS requirements
• Experience of designing and establishing new woodland

Essential Qualification

• A relevant degree or HND in Forestry or other relevant discipline and/or significant forestry or land management experience