Tree Felling Lecturer (Variable Hours)

Wiltshire College & University Centre; Chippenham; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Teachers' Pension Scheme

Generous holiday entitlement

Employee Assistance Programme

Free on-site gyms

Lifestyle discounts

Cycle-to-Work Scheme

Professional development and CPD

Job summary

Wiltshire College & University Centre seeks a Tree Felling Lecturer to deliver forestry, arboriculture and woodland management sessions at Lackham Campus to adult learners. Work is offered as required, with roughly 3 hours per week over 10 weeks and embedded practical teaching activities.

Applicants should have a Level 3 qualification or higher in forestry/arboriculture, relevant practical tree felling experience, and chainsaw qualifications.

Qualifications

• A relevant Level 3 qualification or higher in forestry, arboriculture, land-based studies, or a related subject.
• Relevant practical experience in tree felling, forestry operations, or arboriculture.
• Appropriate chainsaw, tree felling, and forestry qualifications for practical teaching.
• Strong understanding of risk assessment, PPE, equipment safety, and emergency procedures.
• Knowledge of tree biology, woodland management, and environmental considerations.
• Ability to explain technical information clearly and support learners with different levels of experience.
• Commitment to safe working practices and responsible forestry management.
• Good communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills.
• Flexibility to teach at Salisbury Campus and other college sites.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver engaging tree felling, forestry, and arboriculture sessions.
• Prepare lesson plans, demonstrations, and learning resources for adult learners.
• Teach principles of tree assessment, site preparation, and planning forestry operations.
• Develop learners' understanding of chainsaw safety, equipment maintenance, and PPE.
• Explain tree biology, woodland management, and environmental considerations.
• Introduce safe working procedures, hazard identification, risk assessment, and emergency planning.
• Promote responsible forestry practices, biodiversity and habitat protection.
• Help learners understand relevant legislation and professional standards.
• Use demonstrations, case studies, and supervised practical activities appropriate to learners' experience.

Skills

Risk assessment

Communication

Organisational skills

Interpersonal skills

Teaching flexibility

Technical explanation

Education

Level 3 qualification or higher in forestry/arboriculture/land-based studies

Tools

Chainsaw qualifications

Job description

Tree Felling Lecturer (Variable Hours)Location: Cross College/LackhamSalary: £21.13- £25.34 per hour, plus holiday pay

Are you passionate about forestry, arboriculture, and practical woodland management, and keen to share your knowledge with adult learners? Whether you're an experienced lecturer, qualified tree feller, forestry professional, or arborist with a passion for sharing your knowledge and practical expertise, we'd love to hear from you!

Please note: This is a Variable Hours position, with work offered as required, subject to adult learning course provision, curriculum delivery, learner demand, and the needs of individual college sites.

Course Structure

Courses typically run for approximately 3 hours per week over 10 weeks, subject to the course content, practical requirements, facilities, and learner needs. Delivery may include classroom teaching, demonstrations, and supervised practical activities where appropriate.

What We Offer

• Unqualified Lecturer: £21.13 per hour plus holiday pay


• Qualified Lecturer: £25.34 per hour plus holiday pay

Contract Type: Variable Hours

Location: Lackham Campus, with opportunities to teach at other college sites as required.

Working Pattern: Approximately 3 hours per week over 10 weeks, depending on course provision and learner demand.

Benefits

• Teachers' Pension Scheme


• Generous holiday entitlement


• Employee Assistance Programme


• Free on-site gyms


• Lifestyle discounts


• Cycle-to-Work Scheme


• Professional development and CPD opportunities

A flexible and rewarding opportunity to share your forestry expertise, develop learners' practical knowledge, and promote safe and responsible woodland management.

What You'll Do

• Plan and deliver engaging tree felling, forestry, and arboriculture sessions.


• Prepare lesson plans, demonstrations, and learning resources for adult learners.


• Teach the principles of tree assessment, site preparation, and planning forestry operations.


• Develop learners' understanding of chainsaw safety, equipment maintenance, and appropriate personal protective equipment.


• Explain tree biology, tree identification, woodland management, and environmental considerations.


• Introduce safe working procedures, hazard identification, risk assessment, and emergency planning.


• Explain directional felling principles, tree lean, site conditions, and factors affecting safe operations.


• Promote responsible forestry practices, biodiversity, and the protection of surrounding habitats.


• Help learners understand relevant legislation, industry guidance, and professional standards.


• Use demonstrations, case studies, and supervised practical activities appropriate to learners' experience and course requirements.


• Assess learner progress and provide constructive feedback to support skills development.


• Ensure practical activities follow appropriate risk assessments, site controls, and safety procedures.


• Maintain high standards of health and safety, safeguarding, and professional practice.


• Work collaboratively with colleagues to support high-quality adult learning across college sites.

What You'll Bring

• A relevant Level 3 qualification or higher in forestry, arboriculture, land-based studies, or a related subject, and/or significant relevant industry experience.


• Relevant practical experience in tree felling, forestry operations, or arboriculture.


• Appropriate chainsaw, tree felling, and forestry qualifications for the practical activities being taught.


• A strong understanding of risk assessment, personal protective equipment, equipment safety, and emergency procedures.


• Knowledge of tree biology, woodland management, and environmental considerations.


• The ability to explain technical information clearly and support learners with different levels of experience.


• A commitment to safe working practices and responsible forestry management.


• Good communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills.


• Flexibility to teach at Salisbury Campus and other college sites as required.

Teaching or adult education qualifications are desirable but not essential. Experienced tree fellers, arborists, forestry workers, and land-based professionals with appropriate technical qualifications who are looking to develop their teaching experience are encouraged to apply.

Why Join Us

• Flexible working opportunities: Variable hours that reflect course provision and learner demand.


• Share your expertise: Bring your forestry and tree felling experience into adult education.


• Develop practical skills: Help learners build their knowledge of forestry techniques and equipment.


• Promote safety: Support learners to understand the importance of professional standards and safe working practices.


• Encourage sustainability: Promote responsible woodland management and environmental awareness.


• Make a meaningful difference: Support learners' personal development and progression into land-based industries.


• Short-course delivery: Typically around 3 hours per week over 10 weeks, depending on course requirements.


• Professional development: Access opportunities for continuing professional development and CPD.

Turn your passion for forestry and tree felling into an opportunity to develop practical skills, promote safe working, and support lifelong learning across Wiltshire College & University Centre.

Inspire Skills Through Forestry and Tree Felling

If you're ready to share your forestry expertise, inspire adult learners, and help people develop the knowledge and skills required for safe and responsible tree work, we'd love to hear from you!

Safer Recruitment

Wiltshire College & University Centre follows Safer Recruitment Guidance outlined by the Department for Education in ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education'. This involves conducting enhanced DBS checks, including checks against the children's barred list, and other employment verifications, including an online presence review for shortlisted candidates.

We embrace diversity, recognising the valuable perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and cultures individuals from different backgrounds bring. Committed to safeguarding, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we pledge to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a job vacancy and assess them based on their abilities.

Closing date: 9 th November 2026

Shortlist date: 10 th November 2026

Interview date: TBC