Job summary
This post offers an exciting opportunity to join Forestry England�s Community Woodland team in Southeast England where, as the �Beat Manager�, you will oversee a small team responsible for creating and maintaining community woodlands and managing the visitor experience across Forestry England�s Thames Beat.��
Never has there been a more important time for trees and forests, to help tackle the climate emergency and provide a much-needed sanctuary for people and wildlife. You will play a part by delivering new woodland creation projects on greenfield and brownfield sites, whilst maintaining and enhancing the existing community woodland estate.�
Job description
As Beat Manager you will be responsible for operational delivery and visitor safety and experience across the community woodland estate in Thames Beat, working to the Community Woodland Lead. You will be based out of the Thames Chase Forest Centre, near Upminster, Essex.�
Purpose of the role:
Through the management of the Thames Beat team and working with partners, manage and sustainably expand the Thames Beat woodlands for people, wildlife and the climate. Take responsibility for operational delivery and visitor safety and experience across the Thames Beat woodlands.
Key Work Areas:
People Management - line manage, mentor and support assigned personnel in the Thames Beat team in the delivery of Beat programmes and in their professional and personal development.�
Operational Programmes - plan and deliver operational programmes (including woodland creation & maintenance, vegetation management, tree safety and harvesting) working with staff, volunteers, contractors and partners. Ensure that programmes are delivered efficiently, safely and to schedule, and in line with district and national guidance. Create and maintain management plans and programmes of work for each woodland.
Recreational Programmes - take responsibility for the development, inspection and maintenance of recreational facilities (eg trails, play, car parks) and the promotion and safe management of events and activities to connect people with the nation�s forests. Hold regular reviews with tenants, as set out in the tenancy agreement.
Health, Safety and Wellbeing - promote a safe working environment by role modelling high standards of health, safety and wellbeing, through regular monitoring and recording of H&S compliance and the prompt reporting and investigation of accidents and near misses, ensuring that lessons learned are shared and implemented. Review or prepare risk assessments, method statements and other health and safety documentation for operations and facilities and undertake pre-commencement meetings with staff and contractors, in line with established procedures.
Financial Management - Seek out and deliver opportunities to improve the financial sustainability of Thames Beat through cost control, income generation, partnership working and funding. Prepare, monitor and review the Beat budget and resources needed to deliver programmes.�
Representing Forestry England - develop and maintain good working relationships with partner organisations, such as the Thames Chase Trust, and support the Community Woodland Lead with representational work, including site visits and partnership meetings.
A Forestry England vehicle will be made available for business use only.
Further Information
Thames Beat covers ~ 500 hectares of community woodland within the Thames Chase Community Forest to the east of London. The estate consists of several woodlands, created close to communities over the last decade on greenfield and brownfield land. They support a range of habitats from established woodland, traditional orchards, wildflower meadows and offer a diverse range of community involvement and recreational opportunities. The Thames Beat team is made up of seven staff who specialise in woodland creation and community engagement.
The Thames Chase beat team is part of Forestry England�s East England Forest District. The district employs over 150 staff and covers an area of 35,000 ha from North Norfolk to Brighton. The district�s woodlands are varied and range from the conifer plantations of Thetford Forest to the Ancient woodlands of the Southeast and the community woodlands of Thames Chase on the outskirts of London. The woodlands are important for timber production and conservation, with a large proportion of the landholding designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and offer opportunities for a wide range of recreation from the informal use of open access woodland to the adventurous play and trails at three Forest Centres at Bedgebury, Wendover and High Lodge.
Person specification
Essential Professional and Technical Experience
1. Proven experience in managing and leading teams in a countryside management setting ( forestry, community woodland, country park) including contract, volunteer and health & safety management.
2. Sound understanding of health and safety management in forest operations.
3. Proven experience in leading a team in project delivery.
4. Experience of developing and managing successful relationships with stakeholders.
5. Competent IT user with experience of MS Office
Desirable Professional and Technical Experience
6. Proven experience working in the forestry sector.
7. Chartered membership of Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF).
8. Project Management Qualification.
9. Proficient in use of GIS.
Qualifications
A degree or HND in forestry, countryside management or other relevant discipline (or be able to demonstrate significant current management experience in a forestry or community woodland setting).
GCSE or O Level in Maths, English and a Science (Min GCSE 4-9 or A* to C; O Level A-C) or an NVQ level 2 as base educational requirements.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
10. Delivering at Pace
11. Making Effective Decisions
12. Working Together
13. Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �34,080, Forestry Commission contributes �9,872 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
14. Learning and development tailored to your role.
15. An environment with flexible working options.
16. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
17. A with an average employer contribution of 27%.
18. Please see our benefits page for further information: .