Trainee Forestry Surveyor

Barle Valley Forestry is a second generation, family run business with many years’ experience in the forest industry. Operating from bases in Lincolnshire, Devon and Yorkshire we are one of the UK’s leading forest inventory and surveying companies.

At Barle Valley Forestry we are focused on providing forestry managers and owners with reliable data about their woodland resources. Our services enable our clients to maximise the economic value of their woodlands and to ensure the resource can be enjoyed by future generations.

Employing skilled operators and utilising the most efficient working systems and innovative technology, whilst minimising our environmental impact. We work on a wide variety of sites, from commercial softwood plantations to steep sloped, difficult to access woodlands.

We provide advice and services to a range of clients and using our expertise we provide reliable forest metrics for sites; from planning all the way through to harvesting and restocking. For more information please visit www.forestsurveys.uk.

What We Offer

With contracts across England, Scotland and Wales you will have the opportunity to see a lot of the UK whilst working with us, providing a unique working experience, that can be challenging, but also very rewarding.

Employees will receive full training and 5 weeks annual leave per annum (+ public holidays), flexible working and a work vehicle/mileage.

Job Specification

To work as part of the forestry surveying team in the collection of forest inventory field data. Supporting the Surveying & Forestry management team to deliver specified inventory projects following forest mensuration procedures and utilising field data recording equipment. The purpose of this role is to collect data and information needed to make informed forest management decisions; to help plan and conduct the operations necessary to maintain and protect forest growth, including harvesting, replanting, and marketing of forest products.

It would be desirable for the applicant to have an understanding of inventory methods and management skills required to produce woodfiber and forest products; be proficient in selecting and marking trees for cutting or thinning; be able to identify the presence of pests, disease and other damage (herbivore, windsnap, check); understand the composition of forestry sites including the stratification and mapping of landscape features.

Applicants must be prepared to work for 8-10 hours per day on challenging terrain, often in adverse weather and ground conditions. Due to the remote nature of the work, you will be expected to be self- motivated as some of the time you may be expected to lone work. The work is target driven with incentives and bonuses being offered for certain projects. There is also an expectation for working away for extended periods up to 2 weeks and on a regular basis.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan daily work activities to ensure efficiency, diligence and compliance with company and external expectations, often working to strict specification and challenging deadlines.

• Navigate to pre- determined GPS coordinates in often remote, difficult to access work locations using maps and GPS navigation equipment.

• Conduct field measurements according to specified inventory protocols.

• Survey and map features using GPS equipment, i.e. windblown sites, unproductive/failed areas.

• Use and maintain technical surveying equipment to gather precise measurements and information about a variety of woodland habitats.

• Perform quality checks and upload field data daily.

• Provide assistance to the Surveying and Forestry Manager(s).

• Liaise with colleagues and external stakeholders to support programme delivery.

• Uphold health, safety and environment standards and actively report accidents and incidents.

Experience and Professional/Technical Expertise

Essential:

• Excellent navigation skills.

• Excellent knowledge of coniferous and deciduous tree species in the UK.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word, applications and Internet software.

• Demonstrate safe working practices.

• Ability to read, analyse, and interpret technical procedures.

• Ability to concisely describe conditions observed in the field, recorded as notes.

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers.

• Ability to work flexibly throughout England and Wales, staying away on a regular basis.

Desirable:

• Relevant experience in Forestry or related operations and a demonstrable knowledge of forestry management practices.

• Currently hold or are working towards a forestry or related qualification to HNC or above standard.

• Experience and/or training in forest measurement and sampling, statistics, and forest ecology.

• Experience in forest inventory analysis, timber cruising, or other closely related biological sampling, including the use of instruments, electronic devices, and field data recorders.

• Working knowledge of GPS technology and mapping software.

• Experience in the use of GIS software packages.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties and responsibilities of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, traverse challenging terrain/ground conditions and thick undergrowth and communicate risks to teammates.

May frequently be required to; run, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl

Required License or Certification:

The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving license that enables them to drive in the UK.

If you would like to apply, or for further information, please contact us at contact@forest-surveys.co.uk to request an application form/discuss the role.