Woodland Creation Assistant

About the Job

To assist in the delivery of new native woodland creation schemes within the North York Moors National Park to fulfil the requirements of the Section 106 agreement attached to the Woodsmith Mine development.

Would you like to work with landowners in the North York Moors National Park to help create the woodlands of the future?

This is an exciting opportunity to join our woodland team to help establish new native woodlands within the National Park. This permanent post will help deliver our ambitious long term woodland creation targets associated with the Woodsmith Mine’s Section 106 agreement.

We are looking for someone who has experience of working with landowners to deliver conservation work, particularly tree planting schemes. You will need to have a practical understanding of land management and woodland creation as well as a methodical and organised approach to work.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

1. Assist the Woodland Creation Officer in the development of new woodland creation schemes which will involve establishing good working relationships with landowners and partners such as the Forestry Commission and Natural England. This involves the drafting of legal agreements between the Authority and the landowner. Ensure the relevant regulatory processes are followed, including carrying out necessary surveys and obtaining permissions.
2. Ensure the effective implementation of capital and maintenance works associated with woodland creation projects on the ground, through close working with landowners, contractors, the Authority’s own Woodland Operations Team and leading volunteer groups where appropriate. This will involve the writing of job specifications, the procurement of trees and other supplies as well as appointing and managing contractors.
3. Check woodland creation works on site independently, deal with any issues arising and subsequently process payments to contractors and grant claims for agreement holders.
4. Work with the Authority’s volunteer service to carry out various woodland creation and monitoring tasks, including collecting tree seed and removal of tree guards. This will involve acting as a line manager for some volunteers and developing volunteers’ skills to allow them to work independently.
5. Work with other colleagues to establish a methodology to assess the short term and long term environmental impact, including on wildlife, of woodland creation projects in partnership with other organisations such as universities.
6. Enthusiastically promote woodland and wood pasture creation with land owners/managers in the National Park and identify other wildlife conservation opportunities on land holdings.
7. Work with the woodland team to investigate the most environmentally sustainable ways to create woodland, including plastic and pesticide use.
8. Ensure that all work is carried out in accordance with the Authority’s values, health and safety and equality policies.
9. Undertaking such other duties commensurate with the Grade as the Woodland Creation Officer may reasonably request.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in an appropriate subject such as forestry, ecology, conservation or rural land management or at least 2 years relevant experience in an appropriate field.
• Full clean driving licence.
• Experience writing land management agreements, including costed woodland creation plans.
• Experience managing land management agreements with landowners, including calculating and paying grants.
• Experience writing job specifications, obtaining quotes and ensuring CDM regulations are carried out.
• Experience managing contractors and/or staff carrying out practical conservation tasks.
• Experience working with volunteers, particularly in carrying out practical work e.g. tree planting.
• Experience establishing new woodland sites and/or managing existing ones.
• Experience of various IT packages, including GIS mapping
• Practical understanding of land management, inc. farming, forestry and sporting.
• Understanding of woodland ecology.
• Good interpersonal skills and good negotiation/persuasion skills.
• Good verbal and written communication skills and ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely.
• Able to communicate effectively with a range of different groups including landowners, land agents, contractors and other agencies.
• Ability to build strong working relationships with landowners and contractors.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Able to work to tight deadlines and prioritise a diverse workload.
• Methodical in approach to tasks to ensure processes are followed correctly.
• Able to work well as part of a team.
• A keen interest in, and a firm commitment to, the aims of the National Park Authority and partner organisations.
• Available for occasional evening and weekend work.

Desirable:

• Evidence of continued professional development
• Experience of developing woodland schemes at scale and building long-term programmes of work.
• Assessing landscape impact of woodland creation and other works.
• Wider nature conservation experience, including woodland management and natural colonisation.
• Understanding of developing and delivering land management agreements in protected landscapes which require multiple consultations and consents.
• Knowledge of current land management funding opportunities, especially Countryside Stewardship and EWCO.
• Able to be persuasive and instil trust.
• Creative approach to problem solving
• Drive and determination to achieve challenging targets.

North York Moor Values

Our Values reflect the way in which we all deliver our work and interact with people.  The Values are visible in our work, and we hold each other to account for them, celebrate when we demonstrate them, and use them to help us make decisions and consider our priorities.

•              Proud: We are proud to be a part of an organisation that conserves, enhances and champions this spectacular landscape – each of our roles makes this possible.

•              Professional: We are doers, enablers, inspirers – we uphold the highest professional standards to bring about positive change for the National Park.

•              Welcoming: Inclusivity and empathy are at the heart of who we are and what we represent – the National Park is a place for all.

•              Collaborative: We work positively and proactively with others to achieve our shared vision of the North York Moors.

Conditions of Service

The appointment is based at the Old Vicarage, Helmsley. Hours are 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday. A flexitime system is in operation.

The postholder will be eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme. Full details of the LGPS, together with information about how to join, will be sent to the successful applicant.

New starters will be entitled to 25 days annual leave rising annually by one day, to 30 days after 5 years service, plus eight public holidays. The leave year runs from April to March.

Selection and Interviews

Applications must be completed by midnight Monday 14 April 2025

Interviews are to be held on Tuesday 22 April 2025

For further information or to discuss the role please contact Sam Newton, Woodland Creation Officer, on 01439 772700 or s.newton@northyorkmoors.org.uk.

Apply Here