Forest Craftsperson

A little about the Estate

The woodlands on the Estate play an important role, enhancing the landscape, increasing biodiversity, offering areas for public access as well as delivering a sustainable supply of wood products for Estate use and wider sale.  

This is a Forest Craftsperson role in the Forestry Department, part of a small in-house team managing the Estate’s woodlands and delivering a high-quality service to the Estate.  Day to day this will include a range of husbandry works including planting trees and hedges, watering trees, tree clearance works, forwarder work, thinning works and woodland management operations.

 Key tasks and responsibilities

This key role will include a wide variety of activities on the Estate, including (but not exclusively):

·      Planting and establishment of trees, woodlands and hedgerows

·      Ongoing husbandry works including mulching, watering, pruning, topping. 

·      Supporting with hand thinning of woodlands / clearance of windblown timber

·      Operation of forestry machinery such as the Estate’s forwarder, bowsers and Avant

·      As part of the team maintenance of the Estate tree nursery

·      Assistance with other Estate activities as and when required e.g. educational events

·      Working as part of the team, maintain department machinery and yard plus welfare area.

The role is part of the whole organisation team and as such requires you to perform such reasonable tasks that are required, as and when are necessary, to maintain, promote, develop and expand the business of our organisation and its interests generally.

You must carry out your duties to the best of your ability, having consideration for the needs of your colleagues and the organisation and its clients/customers.  You must abide by all lawful and reasonable orders given to you and comply with the organisation’s rules, procedures and policies.

   The Person: 

The successful candidate will have a strong background in practical tree and woodland management, with good communication and time management skills, and a strong work ethic.  

·      Practical experience of the full range of forestry operations from establishment through to harvesting

·      Hold current competency certifications in key areas (chainsaws, other machinery) and ideally a forestry qualification

·      Able to interpret and closely follow instructions

·      Good working knowledge of health and safety legislation and implementation

·      Be able to work independently, showing initiative, and as part of a team

·      Be prepared to work flexible hours

·      Strong work ethic

·      Full UK Driving Licence

·      Right to work in the UK

The person will need to have and maintain (with regular training and updates as necessary) the knowledge, technical skills and qualifications that are necessary to perform this role to comply with the requirements of the Estate and any applicable rules, regulations and with any law which applies to the job role.

 A competitive salary will be offered to the successful person who can provide fully checkable references, along with a pension.

To apply please email - jackie@larstonerecruitment.com