Background Information

Forestry England is the nations largest land manager. We have around 1,000 staff and 20,000 volunteers looking after more land and more trees than any other organisation. We also work in partnership with others across government and the charitable and private sectors.

North England Forest District is the largest in England, with 130 staff helping care for some 86,000ha, made up of 61,000ha of forest and 25,000ha of open land in Cumbria, County Durham, Tyne & Wear, Lancashire and Northumberland. Annual timber production is 550,000m3 and the current planting programme is more than three million trees per annum. We operate in some of Englands most remote areas, generating significant economic impact, and we are important stakeholders in many regional initiatives.

The district is home to 45 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), covering over 10,000ha, and is a major contributor to nationally significant biodiversity projects supporting red squirrels, water voles, ospreys, red kites, forest rewilding, 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.

Rothbury beat comprises of 22 woodlands ranging in size from 100ha 3500ha, with a wide variety of conifer and broadleaf species. Some of the woodlands are in the Northumberland National Park and all are managed for multi-purpose objectives, determined by their individual character and location.

The Beat has an annual restocking programme of about 100 hectares and a timber harvesting programme of around, 50,000 m3 each year from clear felling, thinnings and low impact silvicultural systems.

This role is responsible for the line management of a Forestry Works Supervisor and three Forest Craftspersons.

Initially there will be a focus on recovery operations related to significant storm damage from winter 2021, primarily Storm Arwen.  This will include the continuation of harvesting operations within windblown areas and follow up ground preparation and restocking operations.

Purpose of the Job:

• To manage the Rothbury Forest Beat, Team and resources effectively, efficiently and safely
• Deliver the economic, social and environmental work programmes to achieve the District Business plan and Forestry England Strategic Framework targets.

Key Work Areas:

1. People

• Line manage a team including a Works Supervisor and 3 Forest Craftspersons.
• Provide a clear sense of direction for the beat. Lead and inspire colleagues to work in synergy and deliver excellent results aligned to the Forestry England Leadership Model and Strategic Framework.
• Encourage and assist the team to innovate and deliver significant programmes, collaborating to embed shared delivery of goals and targets in demanding and busy environments.
• Maintain and grow a positive culture within the Beat team and actively foster cross-functional collaboration and support as part of the wider District team.

2.  Beat Planning & Operational Management

Prepare and implement plans to deliver high quality forest operations across the Beat through harvesting, forest and environmental management operations, including:

• Forest Design, Scheduled Ancient Monument and SSSI plans.
• Completion of Operational Site Assessments for all works.
• Completion/coordination of all necessary survey works.
• Completion/supervision of Forest Management Programmes.
• Completion/supervision of clear fell programmes.
• 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.

3. Health and Safety

• Oversee all aspects of Health and Safety across the Beat, promoting and improving our safety culture.

4. Communication and External Liaison

• Be a key part of the process of building and maintaining excellent working relationships with statutory consultees, local communities/landowners and internal FE functions.
• Liaise with customers to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes.

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.

Please clearly demonstrate how the above applies to you throughout your application. Failure to do so will mean that your application is automatically sifted out.

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.

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Developing Self and Others
• Managing a Quality Service

• 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 Public, privilege and additional holidays

Job contact :

• Name : Liam Hodgson
• Email : [email protected]
• Telephone : 07920784210

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]