Forest Craftsperson FM & Stewardship

We’re a flexible employer and encourage applicants who wish to work a flexible working pattern to apply - all requests will be considered.

Nationality Requirements

It’s essential you have the right to work in the UK before applying to work with us, as we’re currently unable to offer sponsorship.

You’ll also need to meet the requirements of the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Disability Confident Scheme

If you apply under the Disability Confident Scheme, you’ll be invited for interview/assessment, so long as you meet any elements of ‘Experience’ or ‘Technical’ marked as essential and can demonstrate the relevant Behaviours set out in the Success Profile.

Further Information

If you have any questions about this post, please email Fraser.Macdonald@forestryandland.gov.scot

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, or require any adjustments, please email HR@forestryandland.gov.scot

About the team

We are looking for an enthusiastic person who has experience of working in forestry operations or other relevant land management areas to join the delivery teams in Forestry & Land Scotland (FLS). The organisation is responsible for taking care of public land to meet a variety of objectives including producing a range of timber products, increasing biodiversity and managing the maintenance of recreation sites.

The Central Region of Forest and Land Management Scotland covers a wide geographical area from Tyndrum in the north to Whitelee in the south. All FLS forests in the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park are contained within the regional boundary. This position will be based in the Forestry and Land Scotland office, Glenbranter, Strachur, Dunoon, Argyll PA27 8DJ and covers Cowal and Argyll Forest Park.

What you will do

This is an opportunity to join a large FLS team working in Central region delivering multi-purpose forestry operations certified to United Kingdom Woodland Assurance (UKWAS) standards.

Your role will assist in the delivery of the forest management and stewardship program. You will be working as part of a frontline Forest Craftsperson team covering a wide variety of tasks. The work will be predominantly outdoors and physically demanding, assisting in forest management tasks such as tree felling, planting and tending to the maintenance of recreational facilities including footpaths and carparks. The team also provides on the ground support to all other aspects of the business facilitating delivery of timber harvesting, environment and conservation.

Main Duties

• Planting and plant maintenance including fence surveys, repairs and construction.
• Tree/trail safety inspections and maintenance of visitor infrastructure.
• Estate maintenance using a range of tools. For example: grass cutting and chainsaw work (basic felling/wind blow and tree safety works once endorsements are obtained), scrub clearance, path repairs, litter picking, forest furniture installation and pesticide and herbicide weeding.
• Supporting other aspects of the business (timber harvesting, environment and conservation).
• Assist in carrying out risk assessments and take a positive approach to the health and safety of yourself and others.

Success Profile

The Success Profile below sets outs the essential and desirable elements that make up the vacant position - you’ll be expected to demonstrate these elements in your application and/or during your interview and/or assessment.

Experience

Essential:

• You will have a demonstrable passion for working outdoors.
• An excellent problem solver, both on your own and as part of a team.
• You will be a good communicator.

Desirable:

• Experience in forestry or related land management work.
• Experience in forestry operations, such as tree planting, fencing and chemical/hand weeding.
• Experience in tree/path safety inspection and maintenance of visitor infrastructure.
• Knowledge and experience of applying Health and Safety in the work environment.
• You will be familiar with using computers and have basic skills in Microsoft Word, emails and using handheld devices.

Technical

Essential:

• Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable:

• NPTC Chainsaw and Pesticide certificates, although consideration will be given to candidates without these certificates, providing they achieve certification within their probation period.
• Licence to tow a trailer, although consideration will be given to candidates willing to achieve this within 1 year of commencing employment.

Behaviours

On the application form you’ll find four free text boxes to provide your behaviour responses. Please note, you’re only required to provide evidence against the below behaviours on your application. This means that if fewer than four behaviours are noted, you can leave the relevant free text(s) box blank on your application.

Behaviour 1 and Lead Criteria: Working Together.

Behaviour 2: Making Effective Decisions.

Behaviour 3: Managing a Quality Service.

Strengths

You will not be assessed against this at application stage. However, this will be assessed if you are successful for interview.

Driving licence

This role requires you to have a full UK driving licence, however, we are willing to consider any proposals that would allow you to do the job by other means.

Travel

As this role involves working with colleagues across the region, there will be regular travel involved which may include overnight stays away from home.

What we offer you

If successful, you will be entitled to a wide range of benefits, the detail of which can be found here.

Additional information

We believe it’s important to create an inclusive and supportive work culture, and we welcome applications from everyone, regardless of background.

It’s important you complete the entire application form (where relevant) in sufficient detail – this will give you the best chance of being invited for interview and/or assessment. Where a vacancy attracts a higher number of applications, only ‘Behaviour 1 - lead criteria’ will be assessed at sift stage. However, it is still important that you complete the entire application form in sufficient detail, as there is no way of knowing that a vacancy will have a high number of applications.

Pre-employment health assessment

This position involves the use of powered hand-held tools, such as chainsaws and strimmers. Our pre-employment checks will include an appointment with our occupational health provider, where they will test for any pre-existing conditions that may prevent you from using such tools.

Any offer of employment is conditional upon a satisfactory outcome from these tests. You’ll also be required to participate in regular occupational health surveillance - part of a range of measures that help us ensure any risk(s) from vibration and noise are properly controlled.

Concerns about our recruitment

If you believe the Civil Service Recruitment Principles have been breached, you can submit a complaint to the Head of People and Organisational Development - they will assess compliance with the principles but will not review the decision(s) of the recruitment panel.

Closing date: Applications will be accepted until 11:55 pm on 3 April 2022.  APPLY HERE.