FOREST OPERATIONS TEAM MEMBER

Location: Flexible

Grade & Salary: 2, £19,858 rising to £22,557 over four years

Post number: 202952, 202953

Type of contract: Fixed Term Appointment

Work pattern: Full time

Closing date: 7th November 2021

Benefits: Civil Service pension, 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days over 5 years, flexible working options, occupational health including counselling and advisory services and eye care, childcare vouchers and salary sacrifice schemes.

Role Purpose

Come and play a pivotal role in how Natural Resources Wales cares for the Welsh Government Woodland Estate (WGWE) which is part of the longest running, continuously certified state forests in the world.

You will be using your skills to further strengthen the foundations of our forest operations enabling the WGWE to provide even more public benefit. You will also be contributing towards a business generating c£25M per year that leads to changes to enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation, manage flood risk, provide space for people and nature, and supply timber and other products to grow the Welsh circular economy.

Your delegated responsibilities in forest operations will include the delivery of up to 100ha of restocking/maintenance in South West Wales Forest Operations Team based in Resolven, Neath.

The woodlands of the surrounding area are predominantly upland in character and will include working/managing the forests in the Neath, Afan, Dulais and Swansea Valleys as well as Pembrey in Carmarthenshire. These woodlands encompass many aspects of land administration such as the management of productive high forest, ASNW, Planted Ancient Woodland (PAWS), SSSI’s, heritage features, liabilities and priority open habitats with associated rare flora and fauna.

You will be required to:
o Plant conifer and broadleaf trees at correct spacings to achieve required stocking densities.
o Remove tree shelters and stakes from broadleaves on planted sites and transport the shelters and stakes to roadside.
o Clear vegetation around newly planted trees using hand tools.
o Carry out any other required maintenance and tasks.

Qualifications and Skills

1. Relevant Operators licences for tools, machinery and plant or work towards achieving.
2. IOSH Working Safely.
3. ICT competence. (basic level)
4. Emergency First Aid +F.
5. Previous forestry, construction, agricultural, environmental or plant operators experience is desirable.
6. This is a physically demanding role so reasonable levels of fitness are required.
7. Confident working in and near water.
8. Basic literacy and numeracy skills are required for the role. GCSE grade C (or equivalent) in English and Maths are essential.
9. Full UK driving licence ideally to include cat B + E. (trailer tow)

For more information and to apply, please visit our website.