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South England Forest District manages some 46,000 (ha) of public forest estate and national parks that stretch from Sussex to Dorset, and from Berkshire to the Isle of Wight.

The varied, mixed woodlands produce some 80,000 m3 of timber each year, of which 20,000 m3 is hardwood. The Land Management Team have responsibility for an extensive programme of habitat restoration, principally ancient woodland and lowland heath.

Much of this land is of high national importance for nature conservation and wildlife, and of international importance for biodiversity. We are responsible for land that includes Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Ramsar sites, Areas of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The district is actively managed for people, nature and climate.

South Downs Beat beat covers 4,300 ha of mixed woodland that varies from pure beech on the South Downs to ancient broadleaf woodland - remnants of the Royal Hunting Forest of Bere. The woodlands are spread across East Hampshire and West Sussex and include well used recreation sites, conservation areas and sites of Special Scientific Interest. All woods are actively managed for people, nature and the economy, including timber production. The Beat team are based at Queen Elizabeth Country Park just off the A3 near Petersfield in Hampshire

We are looking for an enthusiastic, hardworking and highly motivated team player who enjoys practical tasks in an outdoor environment. You must be able to work independently as well as part of a team. This is a varied role which undertakes a wide range of forest management and maintenance tasks including things such as tree planting, fencing, chainsaw work and tariffing. The work forms a key part in protecting and enhancing the forest landscape we look after. It can be physically challenging, and you will be working outdoors in all weather conditions using a variety of equipment including vibrating power tools. Appropriate on the job training and formal qualifications as well as Personal Protective Equipment will be provided.

Purpose of the Job

To complete a wide range of management and maintenance tasks, meeting beat and district commitments.

Key Work Areas:

Woodland Management:

• Use acquired skills, appropriate materials and equipment for the regeneration, protection and maintenance of woodlands and habitats.
• Tasks will include; tree planting, vegetation control/management, fence/gate erection and maintenance, drainage, tree felling, timber measurement and the use of maps and surveying equipment

Conservation and Environment:

• Apply acquired skills and appropriate resources to perform the tasks required in the management, maintenance and restoration of a variety of habitats and species including, heathland, wetland and ancient woodland habitats, protected species and SSSI's.
• Such tasks will involve; scrub clearance including the felling of seedling pine and birch, coppicing and wetland restoration.

Recreation:

• Apply acquired skills and appropriate resources to the construction and maintenance of recreational facilities.
• Tasks will include; maintenance of paths/tracks, erection and maintenance of gates, barriers, signs, posts and rails together with vegetation management and communication with the public.

Team working and Health & Safety:

• Work constructively and enthusiastically with work colleagues and the wider Forest District team. Operate and maintain available tools and resources to required standards and ensure that a safe working site and safe methods are maintained for health and safety purposes.

• NPTC or equivalent in chainsaw use, chemical application and clearing saws.
• Demonstrate an enthusiasm for practical work in an outdoor environment.

• Basic computer skills

• Proactively contribute to the work of the whole team and remain open to taking on new and different roles
• Build supportive relationships with your colleagues
• Listen to alternative perspectives and needs, respond sensitively and checking understanding where necessary
• Ask for help when needed and support others when the opportunity arises

Managing a Quality Service:

• Act to prevent problems by identifying issues, reporting them and providing solutions

Changing and Improving

• Review ways of working and suggest improvements, including how to make full use of new digital technologies
• Learn new procedures and help colleagues to do the same
• Query any issues that arise from changes in a suitable way
• Respond in an effective and appropriate manner when emergencies arise

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• NPTC or equivalent in chainsaw use, chemical application and clearing saws.
• Tree identification.

Here at Forestry England we offer:

• Flexible working to support a healthy work/life balance.
• 25 days holiday pa with an extra day’s holiday entitlement each year over the first 5 years up to a maximum of 30 days per year, plus bank holidays and 2.5 extra days leave. (all pro-rata)
• 3 days paid volunteering leave every year (once you have passed probation).
• Access to technical and personal development training and qualifications that are tailored to your role.
• 5 days dedicated to your self-driven development each year.
• Extensive opportunities for further learning through Civil Service Learning.
• Reimbursement of any professional membership fees.
• Employee benefits that include (but are not limited to) the Cycle to Work scheme, free high-street and online discounts and offers through ‘STaR’, and the opportunity to join the Civil Services Sports Council.
• The brilliant Civil Service Pensions scheme.
• Access to our dedicated Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that gives free, confidential and independent support - whether it is personal or work-related.
• Free eyesight tests and £100 voucher for glasses for visual display usage.
• Pay advances of up to £5,000 for computers, sports equipment, or training costs.
• Free parking at all Forestry Commission sites (including Moors Valley Country Park and Alice Holt Forest) and free entry into our National Arboretum in Westonbirt.
• Up to 15% discount at Forest Live Events, Forest Holidays cabins, and Go Ape outdoor activity centres.
• Numerous retail discounts including 10% off at Forestry Commission shops and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

Job contact :

Name :
Simon Woodcock
Email :
[email protected]

Recruitment team

Email :
[email protected]