Apprentice Forest Craftsperson / Visitor Services Assistant Kielder, England
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About the job
Benefits
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Location
About the job
Job summary
North England Forest District is the largest in England, covering some 86,000ha, made up of 61,000 ha of forest and 25,000ha of open land in Cumbria, Durham, Lancashire and Northumberland. The District is managed by a multi-disciplinary team of more than 130 staff under the leadership of our Forest Management Director, Kevin May. Because we operate in some of England’s most remote areas, the economic activity we generate has a big impact locally and we are important stakeholders in many regional initiatives.
The forest area is 90% conifer and 10% broadleaf. Annual timber production is in the region of 600,000m3. The District has 45 SSSIs covering over 10,000ha and is a major contributor to nationally significant biodiversity projects which help red squirrels, water voles, ospreys, red kites, forest re-wilding, limestone woodland and blanket bog restoration. Our built and agricultural non-woodland estate is extensive and we are engaged in a programme of business development which will create opportunities for additional revenue.
Our visitor offer and experience is focused on our five Forest Centres; Grizedale, Gisburn, Hamsterley, Kielder and Whinlatter. The nations forests in North England District attracts over one million visits per annum with a high proportion of these from tourists as opposed to day visitors.
This role is based at Kielder Water and Forest Park; England’s largest working forest and an increasingly popular recreation area. This apprenticeship presents opportunities to develop experience in the maintenance of our extensive mountain bike and family cycling trail network, including the Lakeside Way and iconic walking trails such as Hindhope Linn.
Job description
The apprenticeship offers an exciting opportunity to work within North England Forest District to gain experience in a wide range of skills working in both forest and other habitats.
The main responsibilities of the Apprentice Forest Craftsperson / Recreation Assistant role are working with other staff to:
- Support the Recreation team in the maintenance of recreational facilities, including the repair and inspection of trails, installation and maintenance of signs, picnic tables, toilet facilities, payment machines, benches and Kielder Castle grounds.
- Deliver an excellent level of customer service to all our visitors by providing information about Forestry England and Kielder Water and Forest Park.
- Undertake forest estate management operations including timber mensuration, fencing, planting, habitat enhancement and protection of historic features.
- Support timber harvesting activities
- Work effectively as part of a small team, and when requested responding quickly to unexpected work and requests raised by supervisors and managers.
The role involves manual work outdoors in all weathers in the forest environment. The job is varied and wide ranging, requiring close team working, enthusiasm and ability to deliver at pace across a range of skills and disciplines.
We require all our staff to be welcoming, enthusiastic and approachable, with a willingness to engage with team discussion and with visitors to the forest in a polite and appropriate manner.
You will undertake the Forest Operative Level 2 apprenticeship and will be trained and obtain awards in:
- Level 3 award in emergency first aid at work (in a forestry context known as +F)
- Level 2 award in chainsaw maintenance
- Level 2 award in crosscutting timber using a chainsaw
- Level 2 award in felling and processing trees up to 380mm
- Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides Guidance OR Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides
- Level 2 Award in the Safe Application of Pesticides using Pedestrian Hand Held Equipment (including application near water)
- Level 2 award in safe use of brush-cutters and strimmers
- Level 2 award in safe use of forestry clearing saw
Throughout the 2-year apprenticeship you will be required to attend formal training which may require you to travel and stay away from home. You will also be required to carry out revision and study and record your work within a portfolio. To successfully complete the apprenticeship, you will be required to pass a final, end point assessment. The Forestry England training team will support you during the apprenticeship. On successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will be offered a post within Forestry England.
In line with legal, Governmental and Organisational policy, Forestry England is committed to promoting equality and diversity throughout the organisation and its workforce. As such, the apprenticeship programme is open to all applicants and there is no minimum academic qualification level required. We will need to ensure that you are eligible for an apprenticeship as part of the process
The duties of the post require a 7 day rostered working pattern allowing for cover at weekends and public holidays (except Christmas Day)
Person specification
Essential Experience
- Evidence of ability to work outdoors and interest in countryside management, forestry, conservation or similar
- Evidence of good people skills and ability to work as part of a team
- Willingness and ability to acquire new practical skills through training courses, practice and by learning from colleagues
- Basic computer, IT and mobile phone skills
- Full UK driving licence
Desirable Experience
- Ability to use MS Office packages, including Outlook.
- GCSE (Grades A-C or 4 and above) or equivalent in Maths and English.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
- Developing Self and Others
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a name-blind CV and Personal Statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed below and on the application form.
We will use your CV and Personal Statement to assess whether you have the Experience we are looking for, so include examples to show us how your past work is similar to the advertised role.
Your CV needs to list your full job history and include a short description of what each job involved. Please provide reasons for any gaps in employment over the last two years.
Your Personal Statement (no longer than 750 words) is an opportunity for you to outline your personal skills, qualities and experience and explain how these make you suited to the advertised role.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using your CV. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview
Interview
Face to face interviews at Kielder Castle, Kielder are provisionally arranged for w/c 20th March 2023. This, however, could be subject to change.
The interview in addition to questions around experience, will include behaviour-based questions, where we will be asking for examples from your previous roles to determine whether your individual qualities reflect those needed for the role.
For candidates invited to interview, there will be a practical assessment. Please bring appropriate work clothing and strong boots. Other PPE will be provided if required.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to FC from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending an Enhanced Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Where a role has been identified as one which falls under the scope of the Public Sector English Language Requirements, within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English. Applicants will be assessed in the selection process in accordance with the requirements.
The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
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