Woodland Creation Officer

North Devon UNESCO Biosphere; Barnstaple; Hybrid; GBP 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional environmental organization in Barnstaple is seeking a Woodland Creation Officer to lead diverse woodland creation projects. This role involves planning, stakeholder engagement, and project delivery, with opportunities for community involvement. Ideal candidates should have strong ecological knowledge and a creative approach to project management. A hybrid work model is available, contributing to the sustainability of Devon's woodlands.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Flexible working hours

Community engagement opportunities

Qualifications

• Understanding of woodland creation principles and standards.
• Experience in project planning and delivery.
• Ability to engage with stakeholders and landowners.

Responsibilities

• Planning and delivering UKFS compliant woodland projects.
• Surveying and researching project sites.
• Consulting with landowners and stakeholders.

Skills

Ecological knowledge

Creative flair

GIS (ArcGIS)

Project management

Job description

Devon Woods Project
Salary: £32,500 PAYE (subcontractor considered)
Hours: 37.5 per week (flexible)
Holiday: 25-days plus bank holidays
Location: Main office in Barnstaple but hybrid/home working possible. Site visits across Devon.
Position Term: Until end of March 2027 – (subject to funding review in March 2026)

A Woodland Creation Officer role has become available with the Biosphere’s Devon Woods team – a rewarding opportunity for someone who aspires to put their skills to the test delivering diverse woodland creation projects.

The team provides woodland creation advice and facilitates grant applications and capital works on behalf of farmers and other land managers across Devon. We also support wetland creation projects where suitable. Devon Woods is a partnership project, and we work closely with the Forestry Commission, Environment Agency, Woodland Trust, Devon Wildlife Trust, and other projects being facilitated by Local Authorities.

Our woodland creation projects are varied and diverse, from small-scale creation of copses and shelterbelts, through to large-scale projects where the whole farm-business model is being adapted. The benefits that trees and woodlands provide are widely recognised, however there is a need to balance woodland creation with farming and other land uses and the team works closely with landowners and other advisors to achieve this. A key objective of the Devon Woods project is to use woodland creation to improve the water quality, and there is a focus on opportunities for riparian woodland creation, wetland creation, and natural flood management.

As the project’s Woodland Creation Officer, you will be responsible for planning and delivering UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) compliant woodland creation projects. These will consider the landowner’s requirements, benefits and risks to wildlife, climate change, historic environment, local landscape, long-term sustainability, and the green economy. The work will involve surveying and researching sites, discussing plans with landowners, consulting stakeholders, designing woodland concepts with GIS (ArcGIS), producing grant applications, and liaising with contractors. There will be opportunities to be involved in tree planting days and other community engagement events. You will work closely with the Project Manager and collaborated with project partners and stakeholders.

This is an opportunity for someone with both ecological knowledge and a creative flair, who wants to achieve a real and lasting impact as part of their career.

For further information and to apply, please click here

Deadline for applications is 11.59pm on Monday 25th August 2025 (with interviews expected to take place week commencing 1 September 2025).