Trainee Harvesting Machine Operator Santon, England
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Location
About the job
Job summary
Background Information
Do you have a passion for working in the outdoors? Do you want to work with the latest in timber harvesting technology? Do you want to join a dedicated, diverse team of staff managing forests in Eastern England? If so, Forestry England are looking for ambitious and motivated individuals who are looking for a rewarding and challenging career as technically excellent and responsible machine operator working in a natural environment. Full training will be provided for applicants without their FMOCS qualification, to enable them to operate forest harvesting machinery.
East England Forest District, with over 150 directly employed staff, covers an area of 35,000 ha from North Norfolk to Brighton; including Thetford Forest and the outlying beats of Sandlings, Kent, East Sussex, Chilterns and Thames Chase Community Forest.
The Harvesting Machine Operator will be based at Santon Downham as part of the Direct Production Harvesting Team working throughout the Thetford Beat. The Beat is located on the Norfolk/Suffolk border and covers an area of approximately 19,000ha. Thetford Forest is England’s largest pine forest and whilst the forest delivers an important resource for people, it remains a vital centre for timber production.
The direct production harvesting team harvests approximately 50,000m3 of timber a year. The team is made up of a Harvesting Forester, a Forestry Works Supervisor and 5 Machine Operators operating a harvester, two forwarders, a front end loader, and a mini forwarder.
Job description
Purpose of the Job
Using purpose built forestry machines you will work as part of a dedicated team to plan and carry out tree harvesting. You will do this by operating both a forwarder and harvester to both mechanically fell trees and extract timber to roadside. You will be required to meet targets in terms of production outputs but more importantly in terms of ensuring all Health, Safety and Environmental conditions are met.
If recruits do not already have suitable qualifications; undertake all necessary training to become a competent machine operator of both Harvesters and Forwarders.
Key Work Areas
- Pass the Forest Machine Operator Certification Scheme (FMOCS) qualification within 6 months of commencing employment, to be a fully capable and competent machine operator
- Undertake tree felling and forwarding operations in clear fell and thinnings;
- Complete all forest operations in line with health, safety and environmental standards using tools such as site management plans and risk assessments
- Undertake all necessary maintenance on machines liaising with the workshop as required
- Work with the Forester and Works Supervisor to ensure stock control is maintained by measuring roadside and on site timber
Contractual hours are 37hrs/week, operators work additional overtime hours meaning early starts each day. The successful candidate will be expected to work the same pattern of hours as the rest of the team.
Person specification
This post involves physically demanding work in a forest environment; applicants need to be able to perform under these conditions.
Experience - Essential
- Demonstrate a keen interest in forestry and working in an outdoor environment
- Demonstrate a practical aptitude for working with and maintaining machinery
- Ability to obtain Forest Machine Operator Certification scheme (FMOCS) qualifications with 6 months of appointment
- Ability to obtain trailer towing certificate within 9-12 months of appointment.
- Full UK driving license
Experience - Desirable
- Experience of working with or around heavy plant machinery
- Basic computer skills
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Successful candidates invited to interview will be asked to undertake a short practical exercise as part of the interview process. This will involve operating harvesting machinery under instruction.
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%
Candidates will start on the trainee salary of £23,098. After obtaining a after obtaining a harvester qualification and becoming proficient, the salary will increase to £26,534.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements.
- A Statement of Suitability (in no more than 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
We expect interviews to be held 28th to 30th March 2023, although this date is subject to change. The interviews will take place on site and be based on Behaviours, Strengths and a technical assessment.
Further Information
This is a Fixed Term Appointment for 24 months with the possibility of extension or permanency but no guarantee.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 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 a 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.
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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