About the Job

Graduate Forestry Assistant - South Wales

The successful candidate will be joining HW Forestry Ltd, based in Carmarthen, South Wales, as a graduate Forestry Assistant.

Responsibilities

Woodland Creation

We aim to plant 130 hectares of new woodland in 2022/23 and we also have contracts to maintain over 150 hectares of new woodland creation sites of our clients. We are also agents to supervise the Woodland Trust’s Brynnau and Prsewlfa woodland creation project in Neath, as well as  agents for the Woodland Trusts MOREWOODS scheme undertaking a number of woodland creation projects each year under this scheme.

The Forestry Assistant will support the delivery of the above by:

  • Inspection – Undertake inspection of sites to determine weeding, tree replacement and maintenance requirements.
  • Work Planning – Produce work plans (maps and specifications) for weeding, tree replacement, ground preparation and other maintenance.
  • Supervision – Ensure our contract teams deliver work to the agreed specification on all sites, reporting any unsatisfactory work to the Directors.
  • Site Layout and Mapping – Assist in the lead out of materials to site and setting out sites in advance of planting taking place.

Restocking and maintenance restocking

We will be undertaking approximately 50 hectares of restocking in 2022/23 and we are responsible for maintaining over 150 hectares of restocking which is under 5 years old.

The Forestry Assistant will support the delivery of the above by:

  • Inspection – Undertake routine inspection of restock sites to determine maintenance requirements – weevil activity, weeding and other maintenance.
  • Work Planning – Produce work plans (maps and specifications) for weeding, weevil treatment tree replacement, ground preparation and other maintenance
  • Supervision – Ensure our contract teams deliver work to the agreed specification on all sites, reporting any unsatisfactory work to the Directors.
  • Site Layout and Mapping – Assist in the lead out of materials to site and setting out sites in advance of restocking taking place.

Estate Management

We manage diverse portfolio of forest and woodlands on behalf of our clients. These range from Upland conifer plantations to mixed estate woodlands and native broadleaf woodlands.

The Forestry Assistant will support the delivery of the above by:

  • Inspection – Undertake inspections of boundaries, roads, tracks to determine maintenance requirements.
  • Tree Safety – Undertake all interim inspections set out in the Tree Safety Reports for all properties and undertake any reactive inspections, requested by the Directors.
  • Work Planning – Produce work plans (maps and specifications) for all estate maintenance work and tree works approved by the Directors.
  • Supervision – Ensure our contract teams deliver work to the agreed specification on all sites, reporting any unsatisfactory work to the Directors.
  • Site Layout and mapping – Assist in the site marking and preparation of all tree works set out in the Tree Safety Reports for all properties.

Harvesting and Marketing

Each year we sell several timber parcels on a standing sales basis for our clients.

The Forestry Assistant role will assist the Managing Director in the delivery of this work by:

  • Forest inventory – Carrying out pre- sale inventory of stands.
  • Site Survey – Carrying out pre-sale survey of site to identify constraints/ hazards and updating site records as required.
  • Site marking – Marking out site boundaries, site constraints and marking thinning.
  • Site Inspection – Routine inspection of ongoing sales sites to check site standards and adherence to contract and maintenance of a site diary for each site. Reporting any issues of concern to the Managing Director.
  • Site Security – Placement and servicing of site-based security measures where required.

Skills / Competencies

Essential

  • A degree in Forestry, Woodland. Management or related areas.
  • A full driving licence and own transport.
  • Aged 18 – 30 years.
  • A love of working outdoors.

Desirable

  • Mensuration experience.
  • GIS mapping experience.
  • Woodland Management Planning experience.
  • A good understanding of the UK Forest Standard UKFS.
  • First Aid Certificate.

Personal Attributes

  • Excellent timekeeping, flexibility and attention to detail.
  • Professional approach when dealing with clients, other organisations and the public.
  • An interest in a career in forestry and woodland management.
  • Willingness to learn.

Terms & Conditions

  • Holidays: 20 days per annum + bank holidays.
  • Term: 1 year fixed term contract with a one month probationary period.
  • Up to 20 days paid release to attend fully funded CPD training.
  • The position is subject to satisfactory references, evidence of the right to work and live in the UK, other pre-employment checks as required and a contract of employment.
  • PPE & necessary equipment to undertake the role will be provided by HW Forestry Ltd.
  • There is access to a £300 relocation grant available upon request from RFS.

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