Forester

National Trust; Rothbury; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

National Trust at Cragside in Rothbury is seeking a Forester to maintain the estate’s woodland health and safety while supporting conservation goals. You will work with the forestry team on practical maintenance and arboricultural tasks, contributing to a safe visitor environment and high presentation standards.

You will be based at Cragside, with training in tree inspections, felling techniques, and forestry equipment operation, while upholding National Trust values and visitor experience

Qualifications

• Experience in arboricultural and woodland work with safety compliance.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors.
• Full UK driving licence and relevant certificates are essential.

Responsibilities

• Care for and manage the Cragside estate through practical tree and woodland maintenance.
• Contribute to wildlife conservation work and woodland safety practices.
• Represent the National Trust and communicate conservation work to audiences and contractors.

Skills

Outdoor experience

Health and safety focus

Communication with staff/visitors

Full UK driving licence

Education

Level 2 arboriculture qualification

NPTC tree maintenance certificates (201/202)

CS38/203 climbing certificates

First Aid at Work – Forestry First Aid +F

NPTC tractor, PA1/PA6 spraying

Job description

Location: Cragside, Rothbury, NE65 7PX

Contract Type: Permanent

Reference: IRC180359

Closing Date: 18th October

Salary: £28,000 per annum

We’re looking for a Forester to join us at Cragside! You’ll play a key hands‑on role in maintaining excellent presentation, woodland and tree safety, and conservation, helping deliver an excellent visitor experience. As a Grade I registered landscape, the role focuses on arboricultural principles and practices rather than commercial forestry.

You’ll work 37.5 hours per week, Sunday to Thursday, including Bank Holidays.

Interviews will be held on Monday 26th October

What it's like to work here

Cragside welcomes around 250,000 visitors each year. Set in rural Northumberland, 15 miles from the coast and 30 miles from Newcastle, it offers the best of both worlds.

You’ll join an experienced property team working together to care for Cragside for future generations. Our outdoor teams collaborate closely to manage the landscape and deliver a seamless visitor experience across the estate.

What you'll be doing

As a Forester, you’ll work within the forestry team, caring for and managing the Cragside estate through practical tree and woodland maintenance, and some wildlife conservation work.

You’ll be an ambassador for the National Trust, communicating our conservation and woodland management work to audiences and contractors.

We’ll provide training in tree safety inspections, medium and assisted felling, windblown timber, using a chainsaw from a rope and harness (CS39/204), and forestry machine operation (FMO 208 and 209, including base unit and line skidder).

Who we're looking for

We'd love to hear from you if you have:

• strong practical outdoor experience covering the main aspects of arboricultural and woodland work, supported by appropriate qualifications to Level 2 (or an equivalent level of vocational experience)
• NPTC certificates, including chainsaw units 201 and 202 (maintenance and cross‑cutting, small fell) and climbing certificates CS38/203 (tree climbing and aerial rescue) with refresher evidence, and First Aid at Work including Forestry First Aid +F
• NPTC tractor, PA1/PA6 spraying and chipper certificates
• competent in the use of machinery and equipment, including routine maintenance
• experience of tree safety work
• a proven track record in health and safety and environmental compliance
• the ability to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors
• a full UK driving licence