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 100,000 m3 of timber each year, of which 22,000 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.
We are looking for a Works Supervisor for the South Downs Beat �which covers 4,300 ha of mixed woodland that varies from designated ancient broadleaf woodlands and Beech woodland on the chalk downs, to areas of productive conifer plantations. Much of the beat area is contained within the South Downs National Park and includes designated SSSI�s, Sites of Nature Conservation Interests (SNCI�s) and well used recreation sites.
The Beat team is based at Forest Yard, Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Gravel Hill Road, Horndean, PO8 0QE but in summer 2024 will relocate 7 miles to new facilities at Rogate Road, Hill Brow, Liss, Hampshire, GU33 7QP.
The woodlands are spread across East Hampshire and West Sussex. Forest management includes ancient woodland restoration and diversifying tree species and age structure using low impact silvicultural systems.
We are also looking for a Works Supervisor for the Chiddingfold beat which covers 2,800 ha of mixed woodland that varies from designated ancient broadleaf woodlands in the west, to areas of production conifer in the Surrey Hills to the east. Much of the beat area is contained within the Surrey Hills AONB�s and contains designated SSSI�s and Sites of Nature Conservation Interests (SNCI�s).
The Beat team is based at the Forestry England Operations yard just south of Farnham in Surrey, close to the Alice Holt Visitor Centre. The woodlands are spread across Surrey and East Hampshire with a small area in West Sussex. Forest management includes ancient woodland and heathland restoration, diversifying tree species and age structure using low impact silvicultural systems.
All Forestry England woods are actively managed for people, nature and the economy, including timber production.
Job description
Your role will be to provide support to the Beat/DP Forester, through front line supervision and site management. You will assist in setting and maintaining standards in all aspects of forest and woodland management to help meet business plan targets.
You will:
� Assist in leading and managing staff and contractors to deliver outputs and results.
� Assist in setting and maintaining operational / Health and Safety standards.
� Assist in the planning of work programmes by attending to site and operational needs.
� Gather and present operational data as required.
� Procure labour and resources needed to deliver operational objectives.
� Act as Duty Officer providing 24 hr emergency contact cover for a period of one week in approximately every 14 weeks approximately 4 times per year.
Person specification
Essential Experience
1. Relevant experience in forestry or land management or hold a recognised Forestry qualification or similar qualification to National Diploma level.
2. Competence with a wide range of IT applications including Microsoft Office Suite.
3. Competence with GIS applications.
Please clearly demonstrate which applies to you throughout your application. Failure to do so will mean that your application is automatically sifted out�
Desirable Experience
4. Good understanding of the application of Health & Safety in forest operations.
5. A sound understanding in the application of contract management.�
Behaviours
Managing a Quality Service
� Gain a clear understanding of customers� needs and expectations.
� Plan, organise and manage your own time to deliver a high quality service which gives taxpayers a good return for their money.
� Act to prevent problems by identifying issues, reporting them and providing solutions.
� Keep customers and all colleagues up to date with progress.
� Show customers where to access relevant information and support that will help them to use services more effectively.
Seeing the Bigger Picture
� Understand what your responsibilities are and how these contribute to the priorities of your team.
� Consider the varied impact your work could have on individuals with different needs and from other backgrounds.
� Gather information from both inside and outside of the organisation to inform your area of work.
Making Effective Decisions
� Use guidance, analyse relevant information and ask colleagues for input to support decision making.
� Identify and deal with any errors or gaps in information before making a decision.
� Consider the diverse needs of those affected by decisions and how it will impact them.
� Provide advice and feedback to support others in making accurate decisions.
� Ask others to clarify decisions when confused and query any issues that arise constructively.
Delivering at Pace
� Always work with focus and pace to get the job done on time and to a high standard.
� Follow the relevant policies, procedures and rules that apply to the job.
� Use own knowledge and expertise to organise work.
� Keep focused on delivery and take responsibility for the quality of work produced.
� Keep a consistent level of personal performance.
� Keep managers and stakeholders updated on how work is progressing.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
6. Managing a Quality Service
7. Seeing the Big Picture
8. Making Effective Decisions
9. Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
10. Silviculture
11. Contract Management
12. Health & Safety
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �27,941, Forestry Commission contributes �7,544 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Benefits
13. Flexible working to support a healthy work/life balance.
14. 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 extra days leave. (all pro-rata)
15. 3 days paid volunteering leave every year (once you have passed probation).
16. Access to technical and personal development training and qualifications that are tailored to your role.
17. 5 days dedicated to your self-driven development each year.
18. Extensive opportunities for further learning through Civil Service Learning.
19. Reimbursement of professional membership fees.
20. 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.
21. Access to our dedicated Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that gives free, confidential and independent support - whether it is personal or work-related.
22. Free eyesight tests and �100 voucher for glasses for visual display usage.
23. Pay advances of up to �5,000 for computers, sports equipment, or training costs.
24. 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.
25. Up to 15% discount at Forest Live Events, Forest Holidays cabins, and Go Ape outdoor activity centres.
26. Numerous retail discounts including 10% off at Forestry Commission shops and Enterprise Rent-A-Car
27. Learning and development tailored to your role
28. An environment with flexible working options
29. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
30. A with an average employer contribution of 27%