An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Countryside Service, we are recruiting the team to set up the Derbyshire Heartwood Community Forest.
So-called because of its location at the heart of England, Derbyshire Heartwood Community Forest will occupy a central position between the National Forest to the south and the Greenwood Community Forest in Nottinghamshire, providing the missing link to join up these two woodland areas. Trees will be planted on pockets of available land stretching over a geographic area of approximately 289 square miles within communities along the eastern border of the county and areas in the south of the county including Amber Valley, North East Derbyshire, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Erewash and South Derbyshire.
We are a member of England’s Community Forests – collectively, the work of 15 community forests has formed the largest environmental regeneration initiative in England – and part of the Community Forest Trust, a registered charity, providing all of our team opportunities to work at both local and national levels.
We are now recruiting 2 suitably qualified and experienced Woodland Creation Advisors.
This is a new role created to lead the development of woodland creation projects across the Heartwood Community Forest area working with landowners, local authorities, businesses, and communities.
What will I be doing:
- Engaging local people in the design, implementation, and management of new woodlands, supporting wider public access to nature, using improved landscape for a wide range of community programmes.
- Assessing the viability of locations for the creation of new woods and trees through research, site assessments and surveys.
- Work with stakeholders to collaboratively develop, concepts and final designs, for new woodland creation and tree / hedgerow planting schemes.
- Prepare and mobilise the practical delivery of approved final designs for new woods and trees, considering infrastructure, tree species selection and methods of planting.
- Practical delivery and contract management of works associated with woodland creation and/or maintenance and management, including planting, fencing and ground works.
- Assisting landowners, businesses and communities with the management and aftercare of schemes to ensure successful establishment.
What skills and experience do you need:
Be enthusiastic, versatile and self-motivated with the ability to work well as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Have the confidence to work under pressure and manage several tasks simultaneously.
A relevant Degree or equivalent in forestry, nature conservation, ecology, landscape design or similar disciplines or equivalent demonstrable experience of woodland creation/forestry maintenance and management is essential.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with attention to detail.
What we offer you:
- 27 days of annual leave plus another 5 once you reach 5 years of continuous service, plus 8 bank holidays.
- Flexi time, allowing up to an additional 2 days of leave per month
- Training and development opportunities.
- Generous local government pension scheme.
- Guaranteed incremental annual pay increases.
- Access to a comprehensive wellbeing package.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Discounts at selected county leisure centres.
We are accepting CVs for this position so it’s easier than ever to apply. Please include a covering letter outlining the reasons for your interest and your skills, knowledge and experience, taking account of the requirements set out in the job and person profile (attached). Each document should be no longer than 2 sides of A4 (font size 12).
We're always pleased to hear from talented people so if you're looking to join a dynamic team and have the skills and experience we're looking for, then we'd like to hear from you.
If you would like an informal discussion you can contact Richard Bonner, Head of Countryside services after 21 August on 01629 539657
If you would prefer to submit a standard application form, you can upload this instead of your CV.
Provisional interview date is 25 September 2024.
Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here
Job and Person Profile
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