Our client Forest of Marston Vale are looking for two enthusiastic, driven and confident Forest Creation Officers to secure increased levels of woodland creation and tree planting to boost the creation of the Forest of Marston Vale. They’ll work proactively with farmers and landowners to promote, secure and implement new woodland creation projects and schemes, and be instrumental in delivering our c.£8m Trees for Climate programme, supported by Defra, which seeks to create c.500 hectares of new woodland by 2025.
Job description:
To substantially increase tree planting and woodland creation activity across the Forest of Marston Vale.
To work closely with the Forest Development Officer and Forest Director to successfully deliver c.500ha of woodland creation under the c.£8m Trees for Climate programme by 2025.
To be proactive in engaging with land owners and managers to promote and secure opportunities to deliver key Forest Plan objectives regarding tree planting & woodland creation, sustainable woodland management, non-woodland habitat creation & management, access/recreation, and biodiversity.
To provide professional advice and support to land owners and managers regarding tree planting and woodland creation, sustainable woodland management, non-woodland habitat creation & management, access/recreation and biodiversity matters.
To undertake surveys and assessments of land, subsequently design and prepare tree planting, woodland creation and other habitat creation schemes and secure all necessary consents and permissions to enable implementation, working both individually and through providing advice/support to others.
To ensure the successful implementation of tree planting, woodland creation and other habitat creation schemes in accordance with good practice standards/guidance, including managing and supervising contractors, volunteers and others to achieve this.
To serve as a primary contact within the Forest Team for liaison with land owners and managers in the Forest of Marston Vale and ensure positive working relations with the farming community.
To help strengthen and develop external relations with key partners and agencies at operational levels, particularly the Forestry Commission, Natural England, NFU/CLA, land agents and Local Authorities, in the interests of ensuring effective partnership working to deliver Forest Plan objectives.
To both manage and support the delivery of a range of projects compatible with delivering the aims and objectives of the Forest Plan, working closely with other members of the Forest Team and partners, as necessary.
To help develop and implement new projects and initiatives to assist with delivery of the core woodland creation targets of the Forest of Marston Vale.
To manage any staff, budgets and other resources in a responsible manner to effectively deliver agreed duties and responsibilities.
To promote the Forest of Marston Vale, and represent the interests of the Forest of Marston Vale Trust, at public events and with the media, as required.
To apply all policies and procedures of the Trust, including those relating to Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities.
To take a positive role in relation to Customer Care and Quality Programmes and actively foster good public relations.
To undertake duties of a similar level and responsibility as and when required, in accordance with delivering the aims and objectives of the Forest Plan.
Contract: Fixed Term (31 March 2025) with potential to become permanent; Full Time (37.5 hours per week)
Salary:£26,000-£30,000 per annum (plus benefits)