Forest Craftsperson

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

Job summary

A dynamic environmental organization seeks a motivated individual for outdoor management tasks in Peacehaven, UK. The role requires physical fitness, teamwork, and the ability to operate various equipment safely. Candidates should be comfortable working in diverse weather conditions. Responsibilities include tree maintenance, safety assessments, and effective collaboration with the beat team. This position offers an engaging opportunity to contribute to important conservation work in the South Downs region.

Qualifications

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must be comfortable working in outdoor environments.
• Experience with health and safety protocols.

Responsibilities

• Complete management and maintenance tasks for the South Downs beat.
• Operate tools and maintain safety standards.
• Assist with the annual tractor programme of works.

Skills

Teamwork

Physical fitness

Problem-solving

Tools

Vibrating power tools

Job description

What you’ll do…

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. You will be part of the South Downs beat team completing a wide range of management and maintenance tasks to help meet the team's and District's work commitments as instructed by the beat manager.

This role can be physically challenging, and you will be working outdoors in all weather conditions using a variety of equipment including vibrating power tools.

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

Where you’ll work…

The South Downs 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. The Beat team are based at Forestry England Operations Yard, Liss, GU33 7QP.

Operational:

• restock and establishment work: hand planting, tree guard construction, repairing fences and controlling clearing and maintaining trees: high pruning, cutting back and tree safety work: surveys, putting up safety signs and safety tree survey work related to managing potentially hazardous estate maintenance work such as high pruning operations to maintain access and the management or clearance of trees or other vegetation.
• make sure work programmes you are responsible for are delivered effectively and surveying, including measuring/tariffing, tree safety, stocking density and a variety of recreation when needed, gather operational data accurately and efficiently and maintain appropriate up to date records to the standard required.
• assist with delivering the annual tractor programme of works – mowing, flailing, reinstating tracks, recovering timber and delivering materials amongst the key tasks.

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 standard by effectively 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.