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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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About the job
Job summary
North England Forest District is the largest in England, covering some 86,000ha, made up of 61,000ha of forest and 25,000ha of open land in Cumbria, Durham, Lancashire and Northumberland. The District is managed by a multi-disciplinary team of more than 130 staff. Because we operate in some of Englands most remote areas, the economic activity we generate has a big impact locally and we are important stakeholders in many regional initiatives.
The forest area is 90% conifer and 10% broadleaf. Annual timber production is in the region of 540,000m3. The District has 45 SSSIs covering over 10,000ha and is a major contributor to nationally significant biodiversity projects which help red squirrels, water voles, ospreys, red kites, forest re-wilding, limestone woodland and blanket bog restoration. Our built and agricultural non-woodland estate is extensive and we are engaged in a programme of business development which will create opportunities for additional revenue.
Our visitor offer and experience is focussed on our five Forest Centres: Grizedale, Gisburn, Hamsterley, Kielder and Whinlatter. The public forest estate in North England District attracts over one million visits per annum.
The Spadeadam Beat comprises the 10,800 hectares of Spadeadam and Kershope forests straddling the border between Northumberland and Cumbria. The beat has an annual planting programme of around 150ha and a timber harvesting programme of around 80,000m3 each year from clear felling sites. The post is based at our office within RAF Spadeadam and the management of the relationship between Forestry England and the RAF, who own a large part of Spadeadam Forest, is vital to the role.
The Spadeadam Beat team consists of a Beat Forester and one Works Supervisor
Job description
The main responsibilities of the Work Supervisor role are to:
- Support the Beat Forester in all aspects of the day-to-day management of the beat and in planning, organising and supervising forest operations by staff and contractors to ensure agreed work is delivered safely, effectively and efficiently.
- Effectively plan and manage the work of the contractors, with the guidance and support from the Beat Forester.
- Accurately collect site measurements and observations and use these in monitoring outcomes, assessing site conditions, updating records, and informing decisions.
- Manage ordering and deliveries of essential plants, materials and consumables to work sites.
- Communicate appropriately with colleagues and all stakeholders including landowners, neighbours, contractors, customers, and members of the public. Build & maintain the relationship between Forestry England and RAF Spadeadam.
- Supervise all aspects of Health and Safety across the beat, promoting and improving our safety culture across all activities.
The role involves a mixture of office work and time spent in the forest. The job is varied and wide ranging, requiring close team working to continually rebalance priorities as unplanned situations arise that need dealing with whilst maintaining momentum to deliver planned programmes.
Person specification
Essential Experience
- Demonstrable knowledge and experience of woodland and forest management.
- Good understanding of health and safety issues relating to working in a forest or public access site.
- Experience of effective team working.
- Good working knowledge of MS Office packages, including Outlook, Excel and Word.
- Full UK Driving Licence
Desirable Experience
- Hold an NVQ Level 3 in Trees & Timber or an equivalent qualification in Forestry/Land based industry.
- Evidence of ability to develop relevant practical skills through assessed training. E.g., NPTC chainsaw.
- Supervision of staff, volunteers and / or contractors.
- Familiarity with the use of GIS mapping systems.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
£7,164 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- Generous paid maternity and paternity leave which is notably more than the statutory minimum offered by many other employers
- 25 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 30 days after 5 years service. This is in addition to 10.5 public, privilege and additional holidays
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and a personal statement (up to 750 words). Further details can be found on the application form.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Interview
After the face to face interview there will be an outdoor assessment based around supervising a live harvesting site.
We expect to carry out interviews week commencing 11th September 2023, although this date is subject to change.
Please bring appropriate outdoor clothing suitable for the weather on the interview day including safety boots. Please bring your own forestry helmet and high visibility outer layer if you have them. We can provide if you dont. Other PPE will be provided if required.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
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 Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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 licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.
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 FCERecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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 youre 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
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Lee Hollings
- Email : lee.hollings@forestryengland.uk
- Telephone : 07970830413
Recruitment team
- Email : fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
