Forester (Machinery Operator)

The Crown Estate; Old Windsor; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading land management organization seeks a Forester (Machinery Operator) to join their team in Windsor Great Park. The role involves operating specialist machinery to maintain the forests, ensuring safety, and engaging with the community. Candidates should have extensive machinery operation experience and a strong commitment to environmental management. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Pension

Private healthcare

28 days holiday

Shopping discounts

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience with heavy machinery in forestry.
• Emergency First Aid qualification.
• Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Operate forestry machinery for forest management.
• Carry out timber harvesting and conservation activities.
• Respond to unforeseen events like storms.
• Maintain and secure plant machinery.

Skills

Heavy plant machinery operation

Land-based health and safety knowledge

Engines and machinery knowledge

Effective communication skills

Teamwork and adaptability

Problem-solving skills

Practical tractor skills

Full, clean manual driving license

Tools

Forestry machinery

Chainsaw

Telehandler

Excavator

Job description

Advert Close date: 24th November 2025

Forester (Machinery Operator) at The Crown Estate, Windsor Great Park.

Purpose of Role

Join The Crown Estate’s Forestry team at Windsor Great Park and play a vital part in delivering a wide range of forest management and maintenance activities. As a Forester (Machinery Operator), you’ll use specialist forestry machinery and equipment to help care for and enhance one of the UK’s most iconic landscapes. This is a multi-skilled role, offering variety and the chance to make a real impact on the environment and the community.

Context of Opportunity / Main Accountabilities

• Operate specialist forestry machinery to maintain high standards of forest management.
• Carry out activities such as timber harvesting, windblow clear-up, mulching, conservation management, access maintenance, site clearance, hedge cutting, mowing, and timber movement.
• Support the growing, harvesting, sales, and delivery of Christmas trees.
• Respond to and help manage unforeseen events in the forest, including storms and wildfires.
• Work collaboratively with the team to deliver wider Estate objectives.
• Ensure all work is carried out safely, following risk assessments, safe systems of work, and relevant health and safety legislation.
• Maintain and secure plant machinery, including timber trailers, cranes, winches, telehandlers, and forestry mowers.

Most Important Skills-Based Requirements

• At least 3 years’ experience operating heavy plant machinery in forestry or similar environments.
• Strong understanding of land-based health and safety practices.
• Demonstrable knowledge of engines, machinery, and hydraulics.
• Effective communicator—confident, friendly, and approachable, able to engage with a wide variety of people.
• Team-oriented, adaptable, and able to work independently when needed.
• Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and effective problem-solving skills.
• Physically fit and comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Emergency First Aid plus F qualification.
• Full, clean manual driving licence.
• Practical skills in tractor driving, telehandler operation, FMO base unit/skidder/trailer/mulcher, pesticide application (PA1 and 6), pole saw, strimmer/clearing saw, side arm flail, excavator-based operations, and chainsaw cross-cutting and maintenance (including felling up to 380cm).

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities. The Crown Estate is committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. If you’re passionate about forestry and want to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Our Offering / benefits:

As well as a competitive salary, pension and performance relatedbonus offering, we have a wealth of benefits available ranging from market leading family policies and shopping discounts in the West End,to private healthcare; life andcritical illness cover and 28 days holiday with the option to buy more. We value work life balance and your wellbeing highly,enabling you to be your best self to work.

Disability Disclaimer:

We are a proud disability confident employer and operate the offer of interview scheme Disability Confident employer scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

We are happy to offer alternative application methods or formats and can be flexible on our process to enable you to have the best opportunity.

If you have any questions about our recruitment process or would like to talk about adjustments, please contact us on [e-mail].