Forest Craftsperson

Government Recruitment Service; Micheldever; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A forestry management service in Micheldever is seeking an individual to support the beat forester with a variety of operations and inspections in the forest. Responsibilities include maintaining tree safety, carrying out surveys, and ensuring adherence to health and safety standards. The ideal candidate should be experienced in forestry management and possess strong teamwork skills. This position offers the opportunity to work in a diverse woodland environment, contributing to conservation and public engagement efforts.

Qualifications

• Experience in forestry management or related fields.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Strong understanding of health and safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Support the beat forester in various forest operations and inspections.
• Conduct surveys and maintain safety standards in forest management.
• Engage with colleagues and stakeholders to deliver work programmes.

Job description

What you’ll do…

You will support the beat forester shaping the land we manage doing a range of operations and inspections in the forest, including helping with practical matters that may arise. Be a champion of our health & safety culture demonstrating our value of ‘look out and look after’ in our work.

Please see the job description below for more information and details about what we need from you.

Where you’ll work…

Reporting point: Micheldever Forest Office and Operations Yard, London road, Micheldever, Hampshire. SO21 3BP.

The post-holder will work under the direction of Beat Foresters and Beat Work Supervisors on the following on Beats;

Micheldever Beat:

Comprises of mixed woodland from North and East Hampshire from the Thames Basin Heaths SPA and SSSI in the north through to the Hampshire downs which encompasses significant area of PAWS (Plantation on Ancient Woodland) restoration. Much of these woodlands have significant recreational, heritage and conservation value.

Solent Beat:

Mixed woodland blocks spread across south central Hampshire and including the Isle of Wight. Forest management includes PAWS restoration, diversifying species and age structure and moving to continuous cover forestry, as well as responding to current tree pests and diseases e.g. Ash dieback. The beat area includes several Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It includes several Leasehold woods where public access is limited as well as locally popular woods with members of the public.

The job-holder will work in a team alongside another Forest Craftsperson and a Tractor driver. The Beats are also supported by a Wildlife Ranger and two Recreation Rangers.

Operational:

• Restock and establishment work: hand planting, tree guard construction, repairing fences and controlling vegetation.
• Clearing and maintaining trees: high pruning, cutting back and felling.
• Tree safety work: surveys, putting up safety signs and safety fencing.
• Tree survey work related to managing potentially hazardous trees.
• Estate maintenance work such as high pruning operations to maintain access and the management or clearance of trees or other vegetation.
• Surveying, including measuring/tariffing, tree safety, stocking density and a variety of recreation trails.
• When needed, gather operational data accurately and efficiently and maintain appropriate up to date records to the standard required.
• The right candidate may assist with delivering the annual tractor programme of works – mowing, flailing, reinstating tracks, recovering timber and delivering materials.

Team working and health and safety:

• Operate and maintain tools and resources to required standards and make sure work on site meets our health and safety standards.
• Liaising with colleagues and stakeholders, plan, implement and deliver efficient work programmes that help meet Forestry England’s aims and objectives.
• Engage proactively and respond constructively to existing and prospective customers and present the highest standards of professionalism when representing Forestry England in the marketplace.
• Carrying out risk assessments working to high health and safety standards which are guided by FISA (Forest Industry Safety Accord).

And any other tasks, reasonably requested by your line manager.