Forestry Commission Hiring for Forestry Craftsperson (X2) at Indiana, United States Full Time

Location

One post will be based at Forestry Commission, Operations Yard, Gravel Hill Rd, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LG. It will cover the Chiddingfold Beat in the South Forest District. The second post will initially be based at Forestry England, Forest Yard, Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Gravel Hill Road, Horndean PO8 0QE. and cover the South Downs Beat. The South Downs Beat team are expecting to move to new premises in summer 2024 based at Rogate Road, Hillbrow, Liss, Hants GU33 7QP. Please refer to the attachment Beat Map South District for more detail of the areas covered

About The Job

Job summary

South England Forest District manages 46,000 (ha) of public forest estate and national parks that stretch from Sussex to Dorset, and from Berkshire to the Isle of Wight.

The varied, mixed woodlands produce some 100,000 m3 of timber each year, of which 22,000 m3 is hardwood. The land management team have responsibility for an extensive programme of habitat restoration, principally ancient woodland and lowland heath.

Much of this land is of high national importance for nature conservation and wildlife, and of international importance for biodiversity. We are responsible for land that includes Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Ramsar sites, Areas of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB) and sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The district is actively managed for people, nature and climate.

We are looking for a Forest Craftsperson for the South Downs Beat which covers 4,300 ha of mixed woodland that varies from designated ancient broadleaf woodlands and Beech woodland on the chalk downs, to areas of productive conifer plantations. Much of the beat area is contained within the South Downs National Park and includes designated SSSI’s, Sites of Nature Conservation Interests (SNCI’s) and well used recreation sites.

The Beat team is based at Forest Yard, Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Gravel Hill Road, Horndean, PO8 0QE but in summer 2024 will relocate 7 miles to new facilities at Rogate Road, Hill Brow, Liss, Hampshire, GU33 7QP.

The woodlands are spread across East Hampshire and West Sussex. Forest management includes ancient woodland restoration and diversifying tree species and age structure using low impact silvicultural systems.

We are also looking for a Forest Craftsperson for the Chiddingfold beat which covers 2,800 ha of mixed woodland that varies from designated ancient broadleaf woodlands in the west, to areas of production conifer in the Surrey Hills to the east. Much of the beat area is contained within the Surrey Hills AONB’s and contains designated SSSI’s and Sites of Nature Conservation Interests (SNCI’s).

The Beat team is based at the Operations Yard, Gravel Hill Rd, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LG. The woodlands are spread across Surrey and East Hampshire with a small area in West Sussex. Forest management includes ancient woodland and heathland restoration, diversifying tree species and age structure using low impact silvicultural systems.

All Forestry England woods are actively managed for people, nature and the economy, including timber production.

Job Description

We are looking for an enthusiastic, hardworking and highly motivated team player who enjoys practical tasks in an outdoor environment. You must be able to work independently as well as part of a team. This is a varied role which undertakes a wide range of forest management and maintenance tasks including things such as tree planting, fencing, chainsaw work and tariffing. The work forms a key part in protecting and enhancing the forest landscape we look after. It can be physically challenging, and you will be working outdoors in all weather conditions using a variety of equipment including vibrating power tools. Appropriate on the job training and formal qualifications as well as Personal Protective Equipment will be provided.

Purpose of the Job

To complete a wide range of management and maintenance tasks, meeting beat and district commitments.

Key Work Areas:

Woodland Management:

Use acquired skills, appropriate materials and equipment for the regeneration, protection and maintenance of woodlands and habitats.

Tasks will include; tree planting, vegetation control/management, fence/gate erection and maintenance, drainage, tree felling, timber measurement and the use of maps and surveying equipment.

Conservation and Environment:

Apply acquired skills and appropriate resources to perform the tasks required in the management, maintenance and restoration of a variety of habitats and species including, heathland, wetland and ancient woodland habitats, protected species and SSSI’s.

Such tasks will involve; scrub clearance including the felling of seedling pine and birch, coppicing and wetland restoration.

Recreation:

Apply acquired skills and appropriate resources to the construction and maintenance of recreational facilities.

Tasks will include; maintenance of paths/tracks, erection and maintenance of gates, barriers, signs, posts and rails together with vegetation management and communication with the public.

Team working and Health & Safety:

Work constructively and enthusiastically with work colleagues and the wider Forest District team. Operate and maintain available tools and resources to required standards and ensure that a safe working site and safe methods are maintained for health and safety purposes. 

Person specification

Essential Experience:

• Experience in forestry, countryside or environmental management at a practical level.
• A familiarity with a range of hand tools and ability to demonstrate competence in their use.
• NPTC or equivalent in chainsaw use, chemical application and clearing saws.
• Demonstrate an enthusiasm for practical work in an outdoor environment.
• Basic computer skills

Please clearly demonstrate how the above applies to you throughout your application. Failure to do so will mean that your application is automatically sifted out.

Desirable Experience:

• An understanding of Forestry and nature conservation issues in general and how these relate to the objectives of Forestry England.

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving

Technical Skills

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• NPTC or equivalent in chainsaw use, chemical application and clearing saws.
• Tree identification

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £24,323, Forestry Commission contributes £6,567 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Benefits

• Flexible working to support a healthy work/life balance.
• 25 days holiday pa with an extra day’s holiday entitlement each year over the first 5 years up to a maximum of 30 days per year, plus bank holidays and 2.5 extra days leave. (all pro-rata)
• 3 days paid volunteering leave every year (once you have passed probation).
• Access to technical and personal development training and qualifications that are tailored to your role.
• 5 days dedicated to your self-driven development each year.
• Extensive opportunities for further learning through Civil Service Learning.
• Reimbursement of professional membership fees.
• Employee benefits that include (but are not limited to) the Cycle to Work scheme, free high-street and online discounts and offers through ‘STaR’, and the opportunity to join the Civil Services Sports Council.
• Access to our dedicated Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that gives free, confidential and independent support – whether it is personal or work-related.
• Free eyesight tests and £100 voucher for glasses for visual display usage.
• Pay advances of up to £5,000 for computers, sports equipment, or training costs.
• Free parking at all Forestry Commission sites (including Moors Valley Country Park and Alice Holt Forest) and free entry into our National Arboretum in Westonbirt.
• Up to 15% discount at Forest Live Events, Forest Holidays cabins, and Go Ape outdoor activity centres.
• Numerous retail discounts including 10% off at Forestry Commission shops and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete:

• A CV  setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
• A Personal Statement (750 words)  explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable for the role, with particular reference to the essential experience specification.

Should a large number of applications be received, the initial sift may be conducted using CV only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the essential experience requirements within the application responses.

Failure to fully complete both sections (CV and Personal Statement) will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification. The panel will look for applications that demonstrate the best fit for the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the job description and responsibilities.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Interview

We aim to carry out an initial sift of applications week commencing 22nd July 2024.

Candidates who progress past the sift stage will be offered an interview/assessment date which we plan to hold during week commencing 5th August 2024 but this may be subject to change.

Interviews will be face-to-face and will involve you being assessed against the Behaviours and Technical Skills listed in the advert. The practical assessment will be ‘hands-on’ so candidates will need to wear suitable clothing for practical outdoor tasks, but any necessary equipment & PPE will be provided by Forestry England.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Forestry Commission from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

This role is full time (with flexible working) only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern

may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Where a role has been identified as one which falls under the scope of the Public Sector English Language Requirements, within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English. Applicants will be assessed in the selection process in accordance with the requirements.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via FCERecruitment.grs @cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality Requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window) .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window) .

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Pete O’Rourke
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

Further information

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact FCE by email: [email protected]. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.