Beat Forester - Kershope & Spadeadam United Kingdom
Job description
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Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
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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 61,000ha 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. 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 540,000m3. 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 focussed on our five Forest Centres: Grizedale, Gisburn, Hamsterley, Kielder and Whinlatter. The public forest estate in North England District attracts over one million visits per annum.
Job description
The Spadeadam Beat comprises the 10,800 hectares of Spadeadam and Kershope forests straddling the border between Northumberland and Cumbria. The beat has an annual planting programme of around 150ha and a timber harvesting programme of around 80,000m3 each year from clear felling sites. The post is based at our office within RAF Spadeadam and the management of the relationship between Forestry England and the RAF, who own a large part of Spadeadam Forest, is vital to the role.
The successful candidate will be required to;
- Manage the Spadeadam & Kershope Beat, team and resources effectively, efficiently and safely.
- Manage and maintain the important relationship between Forestry England and RAF Spadeadam.
- Deliver the economic, social and environmental work programmes to achieve District Business plan and Forestry England Strategic Framework targets.
Responsibilities
Key Work Areas:
People
- Manage one Works Supervisor and contribute to the management of two Wildlife Rangers
- Provide a clear sense of direction for the Spadeadam & Kershope Beat Team: lead and inspire them so that they work in synergy and deliver excellent results which are aligned to the Forestry England Leadership Model and Strategic Framework.
- To encourage and help the team to innovate and deliver significant programmes collaborating with others to embed shared delivery of goals and targets in demanding and busy environments.
- To maintain a positive culture in the Spadeadam & Kershope Beat team and actively foster cross-functional collaboration and support as part of one Forest District team.
Beat Planning & Operational Management
- Prepare and implement plans to deliver high quality forest operations across the Beat, through harvesting, forest and environmental management operations.
a. Implementation of Forest Design Plans, Scheduled Ancient Monument and SSSI plans.
b. Completion of Operational Site Assessments for all works.
c. Completion /co-ordination of all necessary survey works.
d. Completion/supervision of Forest Management Programmes.
e. Completion/supervision of clearfell programmes.
f. Management of the Beat budget.
- Ensure effective contract management for all works carried out across the Beat, ensuring compliance with industry best practice and internal FE procedures.
Health & Safety
- Oversee all aspects of Health and Safety across the Beat, promoting and improving our safety culture.
Communication & External Liaison
- Part of the planning process build and maintain excellent working relationships with statutory consultees, local communities & landowners and internal FE functions.
- Lead on, build & maintain the relationship between Forestry England and RAF Spadeadam.
- Liaise with the MOD to coordinate military training requests for exercises in the Kielder Main Block.
Person specification
Essential
- Experience of leading a team and providing support to staff.
- Experience of planning and delivering of forest operations together with a good understanding of Health and Safety in forestry work.
- Higher level qualification in Forestry / Land management or sufficient relevant industry experience to satisfy the requirements of the post.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
Desirable
- Good working knowledge of IT packages to enable appropriate work planning / monitoring, e.g. MS Office & GIS.
- Associate or full membership of the Institute of Chartered Foresters.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Developing Self and Others
- Managing a Quality Service
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%
- 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after 5 years service plus 10.5 days public, privilege & additional holiday
Things you need to know
Selection process details
The application will require you to complete the following:
1. A CV showing your qualifications and job history including your key responsibilities for each role.
2. A Personal Statement (no longer than 1000 words) explaining why you are applying for the role and how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable for the job, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification and links to the key work areas.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV and Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Interviews will be held at Bellingham, Northumberland on Friday 30th June 2023 - please note that this date could be subject to change.
In addition to questions around experience, the interview 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.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Forestry 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
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 a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service 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.
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.
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 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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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
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