Woodland Creation Officer
Salary - £25,000 to £35,000 dependent on experience.
CFT / Swindon Borough Council
The Community Forest Trust is the national champion for community forests in England. We are passionate about the power of trees to transform places and strengthen and enhance communities.
We work with many forests and Trusts throughout the UK Swindon Borough Council who are a key partner and to whom we provide support and services, including employment of staff.
CFT are therefore looking to employee a Woodland Creation Officer to work integrally with Swindon Borough Council to help promote and deliver woodland creation and other green infrastructure initiatives within the Great Western Community Forest, Swindon Borough Council and strategic partners.
The role will achieve this through positive engagement with communities, partners and other organisations by overseeing the allocation of grant funding, budget provision and contract management for the delivery of projects.
Key duties and responsibilities of the role include:
• Successful delivery of all grant allocated projects and programmed works ensuring on budget and on time. • Work with local communities, landowners, and land managers across the Great Western Community Forest to identify opportunities for woodland creation and tree planting. • Manage on-site works providing leadership, instruction and direction to contractors, community groups and volunteers ensure works are safe, compliant and efficient. • Provide professional technical advice to relevant parties on tree planting, aftercare and woodland management and other applicable environmental matters. • Support and lead on opportunity mapping and tree data information to establish the woodland creation via a landowner engagement plan to bring forward sites and promote woodland creation. • Provide leadership, coaching and development direction to direct reports.
To be successful within the role, the post holder will have (or be working towards) a degree or Higher National Diploma or other relevant qualification in a land management/countryside discipline or other similar land-based disciplines. However, extensive experience within a relevant field will also be considered.
The successful candidate must also have extensive experience in grant applications and governance of funding to third parties, alongside sound experience in managing budgets and producing subsequent reports.
Given the nature of the role, in depth knowledge of ecological benefits of landscape conservation, habitat creation and the protection of species in both urban/peri-urban and rural environments with demonstrable experience are also required.
Although the above requirements are essential, consideration will also be given to those recently qualified in a suitable discipline looking for a chance to develop their skills and experience, or to project managers with adaptable skills, looking to broaden their work experience in the environmental sector.
A driving license with the ability to travel around the Swinton Borough and surrounding area is essential. It is also desirable that applicants are located within one hours commute of Swindon.
Although you will be working via Swindon Borough Council, your employment will be via Community Forest Trust (CFT).
The role offers a competitive rate of pay, generous annual leave of 33 days and offers the opportunity to work alongside an experienced and enthusiastic team who are passionate about the future of our trees and natural environment.
If you are interested in the role, please request a full job description and person specification and send a CV and cover letter to .
The deadline for this advertisement will be 13th November 2023, with interviews to be held shortly after this deadline.