ESTATE FORESTER

Location: The Wormsley Estate, Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire

Reporting to: Director, Head of Woodland Management and Arboriculture, Savills UK and Wormsley’s Operations Manager


WORMSLEY ESTATE

Wormsley is the private estate of the Getty Family and is located just off junction 5 of the M40 at Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire. The Estate can trace its roots back to a first mention in the Doomsday Book of 1196 and since 1597 has been in the possession of only two families. Sir Paul Getty acquired the Estate in 1985 and embarked on a seven-year programme of renovation and improvements bringing it back to life. This included the refurbishment of most of its properties creating some wonderful Chiltern barn conversions alongside major projects such as establishing the Lake and Island in the Deer Park, the laying of the now world-famous Cricket Ground, the building of the Wormsley Library (with over 6,000 rare books and manuscripts) and working with Penelope Hobhouse to re-establish the two-acre Walled Garden. Since Sir Paul’s death in 2003, a further broadening of the Estate’s activities has included the expansion of the Wormsley Shoot, the creation of the Robin Snell designed 600-seat Opera Pavilion (home of Garsington Opera) and Island Pavilion and the Boundary Room which overlooks the Cricket Ground. See www.wormsley.com for more information.


THE WOODLANDS AT WORMSLEY

The woodlands at Wormsley cover over 460 hectares. The woods have been managed proactively over the long term and provide a vital backdrop to many of the activities on the Estate. The Estate sits within the Chiltern AONB and the woodlands are one of the largest in single ownership, making them particularly important in this area, comprising mostly of ancient semi-natural woodland as well as one SSSI/SAC. They are mostly mixed broadleaf with some small areas of mixed conifer and large areas of mature beech and ash, the latter of which is being managed intensively in parts over the coming five years to increase species diversity in the light of ash dieback.


OVERALL JOB PURPOSE

This is a practical role to support the forestry and general estate operations. The regular tasks include mechanised forestry extraction, on call reactive work to clear roads of fallen trees and branches, tractor and hedge cutter driving, machinery maintenance as appropriate and estate presentation. You will be the eyes and ears on the ground for the Head of Woodland Management and Arboriculture at Savills UK and will actively assist in the preparation and management of the woodlands at Wormsley.


SPECIFIC DUTIES

Tasks will vary on a daily basis and will include:
• To act as the first point of contact for in-house forestry work
• To plan monthly and seasonal operations in conjunction with the Head of Woodland Management and Arboriculture, ensuring that all tree harvesting, including hardwood, softwood and broadleaf, is carried out as required
• To assist in preparing, submitting and implementing grant schemes for the woodlands
• To carry out forestry planting, restocking and maintenance
• To undertake all mechanical and chemical weeding operations as required
• To act as the first point of contact out of hours for emergency clearance of fallen trees and branches
• To assist in the Deer Count for the Estate
• Machinery maintenance and compliance and operation of the digger and dumper as required, ensuring servicing and health and safety checks are carried out including LOLER as appropriate
• To be responsible for hedge and verge trimming, plus small fence and gate repairs
• To be responsible for acting on blocked rights of way and proactively clearing overgrown areas
• Liaising with staff, tenants, members of the public and stakeholder organisations where necessary, including the on-site firewood business Chiltern Logs
• To be fully conversant with the Estate’s Staff Handbook and supporting policies, including Health and Safety legislation and fire and emergency procedures, attending training courses which are identified as being necessary for the performance of the role
• Undertake additional or amended duties as appropriate to the post as may be allocated from time to time.


PERSONAL QUALITIES

• Initiative, energy and persistence
• Organised individual who has the ability to multi-task
• Attention to detail
• Hands-on, ability to work independently and as part of a team so that goals are met
• Good communicator and team player
• Good presentation skills
• A positive attitude and an ability to work calmly under pressure
• Act as an ambassador for the Estate.


Full details of the post are available at: https://wormsley.com/2022/04/new-opportunity-for-forestry-work/


To apply, please send a CV and covering letter, including details of the relevant certificates you currently hold, to: Penny Manning at penny.manning@wormsley.com by 12 noon on Monday 16th May. Interviews to be held at Wormsley on Thursday 26th May.



Tel: Not Specified | E-mail: penny.manning@wormsley.com
Web: https://wormsley.com/2022/04/new-opportunity-for-forestry-work/ | Closing Date: Monday 16th May 2022

(Uploaded 14/4/22)