Woodland Management Officer

Woodland Management Officer

As one of England’s Community Forests, we are seeking a Woodland Management Officer to join our
team. We are looking for a committed individual to plan and deliver woodland management
projects across the region, working with private landowners, businesses, communities, councils
and others, to help bring our Forest of Avon Plan to fruition.

Are you knowledgeable about trees and woodlands? Experienced in working with a diverse range of
partners to produce and deliver woodland management plans? Committed to making a difference and
playing a key role with an ambitious and growing charity? If so, we have just the role for you!

The Forest of Avon Trust is the West of England’s Community Forest, an independent charity and
one of a national network of England’s Community Forests. We are growing our work and impact
through implementing the Forest of Avon Plan, delivering a multi-million pound tree planting
programme ‘Trees for Climate’ as well as delivering many other projects in woodland management,
creation, skills, health and wellbeing.

One-year fixed term contract with the intention to extend this subject to funding, to
start as soon as possible:

• Salary band £29-34,000 gross per annum
• 3 days per week (0.6 FTE)
• Flexible working hours
• Main office base in St Pauls, Bristol, with some homeworking optional
• Travel to sites and meetings throughout the Forest of Avon area will be required
• Employee Pension Scheme with 3% employer contribution
• A very friendly team with training opportunities, a flexible approach to working and an
  opportunity to influence nationally through our network of England’s Community Forests and work
  with Defra and national partners.

Job Description

Delivering on the Forest of Avon Plan: Tree and Woodland Strategy for the West of England goals
relating to woodland management which include bringing 1,000 hectares into management by 2030,
this role will focus on:

1. Providing advice to a diverse range of landowners including authorities, private landowners
   and community groups on woodland management to achieve a range of objectives to include how to
   address:
   a) biodiversity, landscape and/or recreation improvements, timber production and many others
   b) impacts of and responses to Ash Dieback and other tree diseases
   c) impacts and responses to climate change on existing trees and woodlands
   d) control of disease, pests and other factors to optimise their woodland’s condition
2. Producing and securing Forestry Commission woodland management plans, supporting Felling
   Licence applications and securing woodland infrastructure grants.
3. Brokering arrangements which generate income for woodland owners including ‘community
   timber lots’, woodland crafts and products; paid for leisure activities and Forest Schools.
4. Encouraging and supporting co-operative working between woodland owners, making practical
   links between them and existing marketing, machinery and user co-operatives, establishing new
   groups where there is a gap in the market.
5. Identifying, planning, costing, co-ordinating and/or managing woodland management and
   related public access work at a range of sites and locations.
6. Running technical workshops individually or with others to support woodland management in
   the Forest of Avon
7. Supporting and promoting the Forest of Avon Plan and its actions and goals.

Job Specification

Essential Criteria – evidenced with experience and skills

1. Experience of advising private and other landowners on all aspects of woodland management
   meeting multi-purpose objectives.
2. Experience of working with and supporting private and other landowners to put in place
   practical measures to woodland of all types and sizes.
3. Strong knowledge of current tree and woodland management issues including ash dieback and
   other tree diseases; the impacts of climate change and building in resilience; carbon
   sequestration and valuations; silvicultural systems & timber values; and pest control.
4. Experience of producing and securing the adoption of Forestry Commission and/or other
   formal woodland management plans.
5. Strong knowledge of trees and woodlands.
6. Strong attention to detail including Health and Safety procedures.
7. A solution focussed and collaborative approach.
8. Full driving licence and use of a vehicle (mileage paid).
9. Willingness to work at diverse woodland sites, generally without supervision.
10. A professional manner when representing the charity and its work and willingness to promote
    the ethos and values of the charity.

Desirable Criteria

1. Good knowledge of current Forestry Commission regulatory processes including Felling
   Licences.
2. Good knowledge of Forestry Commission and other woodland management grants.
3. Experience of leading practical woodland management and related access public access work.
4. Good knowledge or arboricultural practice.
5. Good knowledge of the Forest of Avon area

A Disclosure and Barring Service check may be required for this role.

We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, in particular candidates from
communities and catchments in which The Forest of Avon Trust is engaged. We are pleased to be
an equal opportunity employer and applications will be considered without regard to race,
colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin,
genetics, disability, veteran status or age. The Forest of Avon Trust is committed to
safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people and expects all members of staff to
share this commitment.

Please send a CV and a written statement of your experience addressing the essential
and desirable criteria above to [email protected] by 5pm on Monday 22nd
April.

Interviews are planned to take place the following week (subject to
variation).

Applications will be anonymised prior to shortlisting.

For more information on the Forest of Avon Trust, please go to: www.forestofavontrust.org

For more information about the role, please call Alex Stone, Forest of Avon Trust
Director, on 07375 842732.