Resident Head Forester

Location

Baronscourt Estate, County Tyrone (on‑site residence required; suitable accommodation provided as part of the overall package)

Reporting To

Estate Manager

About Baronscourt Esate

Baronscourt Estate is a private 2,225 ha Estate located near Newtownstewart, Co. Tyrone. It is widely recognised for its progressive approach to land management and heritage conservation, particularly its long-standing commitment to sustainable forestry.

The Estate’s forest resource extends to approximately 1,400ha and is managed in accordance with the principles of Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF). As an early adopter of CCF (since 2001), Baronscourt is recognised  as a leading practitioner of CCF in Ireland.

The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Resident Head Forester, with on-site accommodation provided, to lead the sustainable management of the Estate’s woodland resource.

This is a senior, hands-on leadership role with responsibility for forestry operations, contractor management, compliance, and strategic woodland development. Key aspects of the role include:

• Continuing to restructure the Estate’s woodlands in accordance with CCF
• Maintaining and updating the established Whole Forest Inventory
• Playing a key role in the Estate’s progressive and nationally recognised approach to deer management
• Ensuring compliance with the Estate’s Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification
• Oversee the operation of the Estate’s woodfuel operations

Key Priorities

• Lead the continued transformation of the Estate’s woodlands under CCF principles
• Oversee timber production and commercial forestry operations
• Ensure compliance with UKFS and FSC certification
• Maintain and develop the Estate’s forest inventory and management plans
• Contribute to wider Estate objectives including conservation and deer management

Key Responsibilities

Woodland and Forestry Management

• Plan and deliver woodland management in line with CCF principles
• Oversee thinning, felling, regeneration, and establishment
• Monitor forest health, pests, disease, and storm impacts
• Develop and implement long-term woodland management plans

Commercial and Operational Management

• Plan and supervise harvesting operations
• Manage timber sales and relationships with buyers
• Oversee wood fuel operations and support other forestry-related enterprises
• Oversee all existing Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) Projects
• Instigate WCC (new planting) and IFM (stands in transformation) schemes

Compliance and Regulation

• Ensure compliance with UK Forestry Standard, FSC, and relevant legislation
• Manage felling licences, grant schemes, and audit processes
• Oversee health & safety and contractor compliance

Mapping and Technology

• Maintain accurate woodland mapping and inventory records (GIS-based systems)
• Maintain the database of compartment records
• Utilise appropriate technology (including remote sensing and/or drone surveys where appropriate) to support forest management

Estate Integration

• Work closely with other Estate departments (agriculture, conservation, property, sporting)
• Support biodiversity, carbon, and natural capital initiatives
• Maintain public access infrastructure and liaise with stakeholders

Contractor and Stakeholder Management

• Manage forestry contractors and ensure high standards of delivery
• Provide professional advice to the Estate Manager
• Represent the Estate with regulators, industry bodies, and partners
• Host and organise meetings to the Estate woodlands by forestry societies and professional bodies

Budget and Reporting

• Manage forestry budgets and procurement
• Report on performance, costs, and forward planning

Deer Management (Desirable)

• Support deer management activities to protect woodland regeneration

Person Specification

Essential

• Degree in Forestry, Forest Management, or a related discipline.
• Professional membership of the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF), or working towards
• Strong experience in woodland management (estate or commercial)
• Proven experience in Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) systems.
• Experience managing contractors and forestry operations
• Full UK driving licence

Technical

• Experience with GIS/mapping software (QGIS, ArcGIS, or similar).
• Ability to complete drone surveys and process imagery for forest management purposes.
• Strong understanding of:
  • Continuous Cover Forestry
  • UK Forestry Standard (UKFS)
  • Environmental and forestry legislation
  • FSC certification systems
  • Woodland ecology and biodiversity enhancement
• Strong IT skills, including data management and report writing.
• Chainsaw Certification

Desirable

• Experience in deer management
• Deer Stalking Certification Level 1
• Experience working in a private Estate environment
• Knowledge of grant schemes and regulatory processes

Personal Attributes

• Practical, organised, and proactive
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• High professional standards and accountability
• Comfortable working and living in a rural estate environment

Terms and Conditions

• Contract: Full‑time, permanent
• Accommodation: Suitable Estate accommodation provided (on-site residence requited)
• Vehicle: Estate vehicle provided for work duties
• Pension: Employer pension scheme
• Health Insurance: Private health insurance
• Salary: Competitive, commensurate with experience
• Other Benefits: Training support, professional membership fees, and access to Estate amenities (where applicable)

How to Apply

Please send your CV and cover letter to recruitment@wegobeyondhr.com by the closing date of 22nd May.