Woodlands Officer

Our new Woodlands Officer role will develop and deliver Woodlands Management Plans on our owned
woodland across the national park, which extends to some 530 Ha (1310 Acres). These woodlands
offer a diverse and rich opportunity for the Lake District National Park Authority to conserve
and create further natural habitats as well as develop and ensure the promotion of access for
all, whilst ensuring sustainable and affordable management plans in place for the future
safeguarding of these special assets.

The post holder will undertake and be responsible for all our health and safety aspect on the
owned woodland assets, including liaison with the Ranger and Property teams to ensure the safe
maintenance of our woodlands where they have high foot fall from visitors and local
communities. 

We’ve moved to hybrid working combining working from home and days at our office base in
Kendal, Threlkeld or our Southern Office in the national park. You’ll be provided with a laptop
to enable you to access our secure IT network when working remotely. 

The role 

As a senior member of the Property team, you’ll support and deliver the day-to-day operation
and management of the Lake District National Park’s woodland assets, including liaising with
stakeholders and communities, developing business rationale, and the delivery and
implementation of policy documents, management plans and grants. You’ll bring all our owned
woodlands into active management to improve biodiversity and secure their futures within the
National Park landscape. Emphasis will be placed on sustainable management and restoring their
ecological value. 

The Woodlands Officer will be crucial in the development and delivery of a more sustainably
focused management of our woodlands. You’ll have the opportunity to become involved in Team
Nature along with the relevant Programme Boards and be familiar with handling project briefs
along with experience in applications for grant funding, specifically woodland management
plans. 

About you 

As well as a strong background in woodland management and a relevant qualification in this
field, you’ll demonstrate membership of a relevant professional body and evidence of continuing
professional development (CPD). In addition, you’ll be experienced at managing and working with
a range of stakeholders.

Other requirements include:

• Understanding the recreational, economic, environmental and social value of woodlands
• Comprehensive understanding and experience in the management of woodland and the associated
  legislation surrounding them
• Knowledge of national and regional policies and regulatory environment as they affect
  woodlands
• Strong commitment to the concept and importance of protected landscapes

In addition, you’ll have experience of:

• Managing woodlands in a variety of settings, including for risk, Health and Safety and
  wellbeing
• Working on woodland strategy, policy, initiatives and practice in protected landscapes
• Leading on woodland management plan creation and applications
• Financial and habitat outcomes from the management and delivery of woodland management
  plans
• Working in partnerships and in multi-disciplinary teams to achieve shared objectives
• Management of contractors and other delivery operatives
• Initiating and developing projects through external funding

Please read the Role Profile for the full person specification on this post.

Working with us, you’ll enjoy

• Generous Local Government Pension Scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Paid time off so you can volunteer
• Subsidised healthcare scheme
• Commitment to wellbeing

We’re happy to talk about flexible working – let us know if you want to find out more.

Contact

For an informal discussion about the position please contact Helen Lancaster, Property Assets Manager on 07827229094, or email [email protected]

Apply

Closing date for applications is midnight on Friday 13th September 2024.

We reserve the right to close this advert early should we receive sufficient applications, so please apply early to avoid missing this opportunity.

Diversity and Inclusion

As an equal opportunity’s employer, the Lake District National Park Authority is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination based on age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. 

Disability Confident Employer 

We guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role. By ‘minimum criteria’ we mean that you must provide evidence in your application which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as well as meeting any of the qualification, skills or experience defined as essential.