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:

• biodiversity, landscape and/or recreation improvements, timber production and many others
• impacts of and responses to Ash Dieback and other tree diseases
• impacts and responses to climate change on existing trees and woodlands
• control of disease, pests and other factors to optimise their woodland’s condition

1. Producing and securing Forestry Commission woodland management plans, supporting Felling Licence applications and securing woodland infrastructure grants.
2. Brokering arrangements which generate income for woodland owners including ‘community timber lots’, woodland crafts and products; paid for leisure activities and Forest Schools.
3. 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.
4. Identifying, planning, costing, co-ordinating and/or managing woodland management and related public access work at a range of sites and locations.
5. Running technical workshops individually or with others to support woodland management in the Forest of Avon.
6. Supporting and promoting the Forest of Avon Plan and its actions and goals.

Job Specification

Essential Criteria – evidenced with experience and skills

• Experience of advising private and other landowners on all aspects of woodland management meeting multi-purpose objectives.
• Experience of working with and supporting private and other landowners to put in place practical measures to woodland of all types and sizes.
• 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.
• Experience of producing and securing the adoption of Forestry Commission and/or other formal woodland management plans.
• Strong knowledge of trees and woodlands.
• Strong attention to detail including Health and Safety procedures.
• A solution focussed and collaborative approach.
• Full driving licence and use of a vehicle (mileage paid).
• Willingness to work at diverse woodland sites, generally without supervision.
• A professional manner when representing the charity and its work and willingness to promote the ethos and values of the charity.

Desirable Criteria

• Good knowledge of current Forestry Commission regulatory processes including Felling Licences.
• Good knowledge of Forestry Commission and other woodland management grants.
• Experience of leading practical woodland management and related access public access work.
• Good knowledge or arboricultural practice.
• 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.