Location
New Forest Operations Yard, Southampton Road, Lyndhurst, SO43 7BU (1 permanent post, 1 x 12 month FTA), Ringwood Beat: Ringwood Yard, BH24 2EJ (1 permanent post)
About The Job
Job summary
South England Forest District manages some 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 80,000 m3 of timber each year, of which 20,000 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.
The vacancies are in the following beats:
Ringwood Beat: Comprises of mixed woodland across East Dorset and Cranbourne Chase that varies from ancient broadleaf woodland to pine forests and heathland including areas designated as SSSI. Community engagement is a regular occurrence.
New Forest: A mixed habitat that varies from ancient broadleaf woodland, mixed conifer forests to open habitat. Forest management includes ancient woodland and heathland restoration, diversifying tree species and age structure using continuous cover forestry.
The beat has several designations including SPA, SSSI and SAC, it also has a significant recreational value with approximately 15 million people visiting the New Forest per year and hosts several organised events and permitted activities.
We are looking for enthusiastic, hardworking and highly motivated team players who enjoy 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.
Person specification
K e y W ork Areas:
Woodland Management
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. Occasionally duties may include wildfire control (particularly in the New Forest roles).
C onservation and Environment
Management, maintenance and restoration of the Heathland, Wetland and Ancient Woodland habitats of the forest.
S uch tasks will involve; scrub clearance including the felling of seedling pine and birch and mire restoration works.
R ecr eation
C onstruction 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 communicating with the public.
T eam working and Health & Safety
O perate and maintain available tools and resources to required standards and assessing and managing risks to ensure that a safe working site and safe methods and industry standards are maintained. To work constructively and effectively with immediate work colleagues and the wider Forest District team.
P erson Specification – we are looking for practical people with a passion for woodlands and forests who have;
Essential Experienc e:
- Experience of working in a forest or equivalent land-based environment.
- Ability to work effectively both alone and as part of a team.
- Good numerical and written communications skills.
- Awareness of Health & Safety in the workplace.
- Competent IT skills in Word & Excel, online platforms and mobile phone apps with a willingness to embrace new technologies.
Desirable Experience:
- Strimmer & Brush cutting certification.
- Experience in fencing, planting and weeding.
- Experience in timber measurement.
- NPTC or equivalent certification in chainsaw use.
Beha viours
W orking Together
- Listen to alternative perspectives and needs, responding sensitively and checking understanding where necessary.
- Get to know your colleagues and build supportive relationships.
- Ask for help when needed and support others when the opportunity arises.
- Be aware of the need to consider your own wellbeing and that of your colleagues.
- Understand that bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable.
- Proactively contribute to the work of the whole team and remain open to taking on new and different roles.
M anaging a Quality Service
- Act to prevent problems by identifying issues, reporting them and providing solutions.
- Plan, organise and manage your own time to deliver a high-quality service which gives taxpayers a good return for their money.
- Gain a clear understanding of our customers’ needs and expectations.
- Show our customers where to access relevant information and support that will help them to use services more effectively.
- Keep our customers and all colleagues up to date with progress.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
Technical Skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- IT, numerical and written communications skills.
- Problem solving skills.
- Understanding of how a practical task is completed safely and to a high standard.
- Awareness of health and safety in the forest environment.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £23,098, Forestry Commission contributes £6,260 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Here at Forestry England we offer:
- Pay advances of up to £5,000 for computers, sports equipment, or training costs.
- Flexible working to support a healthy work/life balance.
- Up to 15% discount at Forest Live Events, Forest Holidays cabins, and Go Ape outdoor activity centres.
- 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.
- Numerous retail discounts including 10% off at Forestry Commission shops and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
- 5 days dedicated to your self-driven development each year. (pro-rata)
- Access to our dedicated Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that gives free, confidential and independent support - whether it is personal or work-related.
- Extensive opportunities for further learning through Civil Service Learning.
- The brilliant Civil Service Pensions scheme.
- 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)
- Reimbursement of any professional membership fees.
- 3 days paid volunteering leave every year (once you have passed probation). (pro-rata)
- 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.
- Free eyesight tests and £100 voucher for glasses for visual display usage.
- Access to technical and personal development training and qualifications that are tailored to your role.
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.
This advert is for 2 permanent posts and one 12 months Fixed term appointment with the possibility of extension or permanency but with no guarantee.
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.
You must express a location and role duration preference as part of your statement which will be taken into account but successful candidates will be offered positions in teams that best match their skills and experience demonstrated.
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.
Interview
We aim to carry out an initial sift of applications at the beginning of September 2023.
Candidates who progress past the sift stage will be offered an interview/assessment date which we plan to hold mid September, 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 will 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 here
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances 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.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
This role is full-time 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.
The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving license that enables them to drive in the UK. However, Forestry England is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.
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.
All Forestry England staff are required to complete a medical questionnaire as part of the pre-employment checks and, if needed, you may be referred to our Occupational Health provider for a further assessment prior to formal appointment.
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
[email protected] 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:
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- UK nationals
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working 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.
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 :
Recruitment team
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.
