Working as one of England’s Community Forests, we are delivering and funding up to £1.5 million per year of woodland creation projects in the West of England. We are looking for a team-working, committed individual to join us to deliver tree planting projects across the region, working with private landowners, businesses, communities, councils, schools and others.

Are you knowledgeable about trees and woodlands? Experienced in working with a diverse range of partners to plan, fund and deliver habitat schemes? 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. We are growing our work and impact through implementing the Forest of Avon Plan, delivering the multi-million pound tree planting programme ‘Trees for Climate’ as well as delivering other projects in woodland management, skills, education, community projects and health and wellbeing activity.

Fixed term contract until 31^st March 2025, to start as soon as possible:

• Salary band £29,200 to £33,000 gross per annum, with annual appraisal and review
• 5 days per week (37.5 hours) We would also consider part-time or job share applications
• Flexible working
• 30 days holiday including usual bank holidays
• Main office base currently in Lockleaze, Bristol, with some homeworking optional and attending frequent meetings and site visits in the West of England area
• Employee Pension Scheme with 3% employer contribution
• We are a friendly team offering 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 as well as regional and national partners.

Job Description

• Delivering our Trees for Climate grant scheme – taking landowners, including Local Authorities, through the grant process, completing EIA and other regulatory processes and managing the pipeline of planting, with a target of 110 hectares supported, delivered or funded by the Trust per year across the team
• Identifying, planning, costing and coordinating tree planting, establishment and maintenance projects at a range of sites and locations, registering sites under the Woodland Carbon Code where appropriate
• Leading and undertaking tree planting, establishment and woodland management work with volunteers, contractors and others
• Working with the Forest of Avon Plan Coordinator and wider team to deliver an outreach programme to landowners to identify sites for woodland creation
• Training individuals, volunteers and others to support this work
• Feeding information into regular reporting on planting projects and metrics
• Supporting the Junior Tree Technicians roles in developing their work to support wider planting schemes across the region
• Potentially supporting a large scale woodland creation site being developed by the Trust in partnership
• Building on wider partnerships across the West of England Nature Partnership and woodland creation partners and for example Forestry Commission, Natural England, Bristol Avon Rivers Trust and many others.
• Working in partnership with local authorities.

Job Specification

Essential Criteria

Evidenced with experience and skills, please demonstrate your ability to:

• Display a strong knowledge of trees and woodlands
• Identify and develop tree planting projects, or other habitat enhancement schemes, with a focus on the right tree in the right place
• Manage projects, including managing and reporting on grant funding
• Identify, plan, cost, manage and undertake tree planting, establishment and woodland management work at a range of sites and locations
• Lead volunteers to undertake practical tree planting and maintenance
• Promote the benefits of trees to communities and individuals
• Build partnerships with organisations and local stakeholders
• Prepare risk assessments and to comply with legislation, health and safety elements of the role and GDPR requirements when dealing with people’s personal data
• Work alone, without supervision and undertake practical work at a diverse range of sites
• Travel around the region independently as the role requires – holding a full clean driving licence
• Apply a proactive and adaptable approach, resolution focussed and prepared to tackle challenging and sometimes complex tasks
• Maintain a professional manner when representing the charity and its work
• Support and promote the values of the Trust

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of using QGIS and other GIS mapping systems including the creation of shapefiles and associated datasets
• Good knowledge of Forestry Commission regulatory processes including Environmental Impact Assessment checks and the Public Register
• Good knowledge of planting standard and orchard trees
• Good knowledge of Countryside Stewardship, Forestry Commission and other tree planting grant scheme conditions
• Good knowledge of the West of England area
• Access to a vehicle

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.