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Beat Forester - Hamsterley

Job details
Posting date: 15 July 2024
Salary: £34,080 to £36,934 per year
Hours: Full time
Closing date: 04 August 2024
Location: DL13 3NL
Company: Government Recruitment Service
Job type: Permanent
Job reference: 361811/1

Summary

Background Information

Forestry England is the nation’s largest land manager. We have around 1,000 staff and 20,000 volunteers looking after more land and more trees than any other organisation. We also work in partnership with others across government and the charitable and private sectors.

North England Forest District is the largest in England, with 130 staff helping care for some 86,000ha, made up of 61,000ha of forest and 25,000ha of open land in Cumbria, County Durham, Tyne & Wear, Lancashire and Northumberland. Annual timber production is 550,000m3 and the current planting programme is in excess of three million trees per annum. We operate in some of England’s most remote areas, generating significant economic impact, and we are important stakeholders in many regional initiatives.

The district is home to 45 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) covering over 10,000ha and is a major contributor to nationally significant biodiversity projects supporting red squirrels, water voles, ospreys, red kites, forest rewilding, limestone woodland and blanket bog restoration.

Our built and agricultural non-woodland estate is extensive, and we are engaged in a programme of business development which will create opportunities for additional revenue.

The Hamsterley Beat comprises 3,200 hectares of diverse woodland and forest located in Co. Durham, Northumberland and Tyne & Wear. The main forest block is Hamsterley Forest but also includes a mature mixed woodland on the urban fringe at Chopwell (PAWS site) and a conifer dominated upland forest at Slaley. Recreational use across the beat is high, particularly at the forest centre at Hamsterley Forest, where visitor numbers are estimated to be 200K annually.

The beat is managed by a team of 12 full time equivalent roles, supported by contractors, volunteers and on-site business partners. This role is responsible for the line management of three Forest Craftspersons working as part of the Land Management team.

The role will have an initial focus of driving forward the harvesting programme for Hamsterley Forest, including maximising the potential income from a comprehensive long-term thinning programme and meeting the wider felling targets set out in the Forest Management Plan for the respective sites across the beat. In addition, the Beat currently has a small annual restocking programme of about 20 hectares per annum.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/hy309cPI3v8


PURPOSE OF THE JOB

To manage forestry operations and Land Management Craftsperson team across Hamsterley Forest Beat, using resources effectively, efficiently and safely. Responsible for ensuring operations are aligned to industry best practices and Health and Safety regulations.

Deliver the economic, social and environmental work programmes to achieve District Business plan and Forestry England Strategic Framework targets.

KEY WORK AREAS

1. People

  • Manage Forest Craftsperson staff in line with Forestry England’s organisational values and behaviours.
  • Provide a clear sense of direction for your team. Lead and inspire colleagues to work in synergy and deliver excellent results.
  • Deliver a positive and inclusive culture, promote learning and development opportunities and actively foster cross-functional collaboration and support.
  • Maintain professional and productive relationships with stakeholders such as local communities, landowners and customers, and work collaboratively with colleagues across the wider district.

    2. Beat Planning & Operational Management

    Prepare and implement plans to deliver high quality forest operations across the Beat, through harvesting, forest and environmental management operations, including:

    • Forest Design, Scheduled Ancient Monument and SSSI plans.
    • Completion of Operational Site Assessments for all works.
    • Completion/coordination of all necessary survey works.
    • Completion/supervision of Forest Management Programmes.
    • Completion/supervision of clear fell and thinnings programmes.
    • Management of the Beat budget.
    • Ensure effective contract management for all works carried out across the Beat, ensuring compliance with industry best practice and internal FE procedures.
    • Act as vehicles, machinery and equipment liaison with the local mechanical engineering Services team

      3. Health and Safety

      • Working with the Area Manager, oversee all aspects of Health and Safety across the Beat, promoting and improving our safety culture.