The Job with Leeds Coppice Workers

Coppicing is an ancient and sustainable method of managing woods where trees that have been cut close to the ground grow back with multiple stems . These are cut on and regular cycle and used to make many useful products.

Job Description

• The tasks below cover the range of things we do. We are a small organisation, and our work varies a little from year to year so while we hope to involve the trainee in all of the tasks, we cannot guarantee that.
• Some work may require formal training before the trainee can do them.
• The work is in its nature physically demanding as it involved being outdoors in all weather and significant lifting and carrying.

Coppicing

• Assisting the team with coppicing of LCW managed woodland.
• Felling coppice in a safe and efficient manner and creating piles to be processed into products.
• Creating a number of different products to a required standard (see products list on the website, take a look here)

Hedge Laying

• Assisting members on hedge laying tasks; siding up, laying and binding.

Firewood Processing

• Processing firewood including sawing, splitting and transporting logs.

Firewood Extraction

• Assisting the team to extract firewood from LCW managed woodland and partnered organisations such as Leeds Tree Care.
• Moving firewood with truck and trailer safely and efficiently to LCW Wood yard.

Firewood and Product deliveries

•   Filling fire wood sacks and delivering to customers.
•  Driving LCW truck or assisting driver with deliveries (i.e. navigation).
•  Liaise with comms team about product requirements and logistics.

Charcoaling

•    Assisting the team with charcoaling at various locations.
•    Preparing timber for charcoal kilns.
•    Lighting and supervision of kilns.
•    Grading and filling charcoal bags.
•    Making deliveries to charcoal customers.

Workshop delivery

• Assist with the delivery of training or therapeutic workshops as and when required.

Administration

• Assisting with the routine running of the business, ensuring we are aware of availability and participating in business discussions. There will be room to discuss this.

General Responsibilities

• Work at all times towards fostering an atmosphere of encouragement and teamwork based on individual commitment to the aims and objectives of LCW.
• Ensure that all staff, including volunteers work as effectively as possible in carrying out their duties.
• Work at all times in an organised and efficient manner, adhering to timekeeping; communicating effectively with other members and customers and the ensuring clarity in the dissemination of information.
• Ensure all work areas including yard and vehicle are neat and tidy and secure at all times, as well as being maintained to the highest possible standard.
• Adhere to LCW’s Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities, Diversity policies and compliance with all statutory requirements.
• Attend regular staff meetings and meetings with customers / clients as required.

Working with other Organisations

It is possible that by negotiation some time will be spent with other allied local organisations, this might be within or outside the formal hours of the traineeship.

About You

Essential Requirements

• Positive, hardworking, and enthusiastic about working within this area of forestry.
• You must hold a clean, UK driving license.

Benefits and more details

Salary -£20,000+

Hours of Work – 32 hours per week on average. As we work outside through the winter with limited light the usual working day is 8am to 4pm. This will average as 4 days a week but may vary week to week, with plenty of notice!

Term – 1 year fixed term with 1 month probation period

Support – Up to 20 days paid release to attend fully funded CPD training (To the value of £2,000)

Regular progress reviews with the RFS and employer.

There is access to a £300 relocation grant available upon request from RFS.

Interview Details

Please be aware that you will need to be available for an interview online, via Teams, on the 16th or 18th July.

Questions

Please feel free to reach out to Alison if you have any questions about the role, the Forestry Roots program, the application process or the interview process.