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Want to work at the cutting edge of environmental science? Passionate about making a difference and playing your part in tackling the climate and nature crisis? Forest Research is all about giving top quality evidence and advice to policymakers and practitioners to make a positive impact on the ground. Internationally recognised, we need people who have the skills and passion to work on excellent science and provide practical solutions for nature.

We’re small enough that your voice is heard, yet large enough, as part of the Forestry Commission, that we have everything on hand to get the job done, as well as a variety of career pathways. Our staff are dedicated to their work and sharing it with others to bring positive change for our planet. And you will find us a flexible and inclusive employer, so you can have a work life balance that is tailor-made to your circumstances. So whether it’s climate or carbon, pests or pathogens, behaviour or biodiversity that interests you, you can be assured of a warm welcome to the team. Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role. To find out more, visit forestresearch.gov.uk.

This role sits within the Forest Research Technical Services Unit (TSU) which through a network of field stations provides a capacity to conduct field work across Great Britain. TSU establishes, maintains and assesses field experiments for the science centres within Forest Research and on behalf of other customers, Forestry Commission, Forestry and Land Scotland, Natural Resources Wales and other external clients.

It also provides local contact and liaison between Forest Research (FR) and networks of regional Forestry Commission (FC) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) staff, partner organisations and private woodland owners and managers.

To carry out the delegated research, survey and forest work programmes to prescribed standards, budget and deadlines. The successful applicant will work as part of a small team of Forest Research Workers based at Haldon Forest Park, near Exeter, carrying out a wide range of environmental, plant health and crop surveys; lay out, maintain and assess field experiments; and in cases assist with managing contractors and auditing their work. They will carry out tasks including pesticide applications and use power tools including chainsaws. The job involves working with partners both internal and external to Forest Research (FR) across a wide geographical area and so will require flexibility in terms of staying away overnight and working day pattern.

• Working with people:
  By regular contact with colleagues, communicate and encourage ideas for solutions to problems or improved working practices.
  
  • Listen attentively to others, understand, respect and accept the value of different views, ideas and ways of working.
  • Confidently handle challenging conversations or interviews.
  • Communicate effectively both verbally and written.
  • Promote adherence to relevant policies, procedures, regulations and legislation, including equality and diversity and health and safety.

• There is a requirement to work as a lone worker as well as being able to work within a wider team
  
  2. Quality Assurance and Delivering the Work Programme:
  
  • Manage and deliver the delegated work programme to ensure all work complies with Forest Research’s QA policy and systems.
  • Produce accurate and professional work, applying cross checking methods to ensure accuracy.
  • Plan and organise work programme as specified by line manager to complete tasks to meet deadlines. Make regular progress reports and draw attention to potential difficulties before they occur.
  • Understand and apply technology to achieve efficient and effective business and personal results
  • Where required work independently with autonomy.
  
  3. Use of resources
  
  • Achieve efficient use of Field-Station resources in all areas of work through planning and efficient management.
  • Carry out standard maintenance and report repair needs as required.
  • Understand that all actions have a cost and choose the most effective way to do something in a resource efficient way.
  • Take opportunities to challenge misuse of resources to achieve value for money and sustainable ways of working.

Essential Criteria

Demonstrable experience working outdoors in all weathers.
Demonstrable work experience in forest and woodland management.

Literacy Level 2 qualification or equivalent experience (e.g. GCSE, NVQ, Key Skills, Welsh Baccalaureate Intermediate, Scottish National Certificate level 5)*

Numeracy Level 2 qualification or equivalent experience (e.g. GCSE, NVQ, Key Skills, Welsh Baccalaureate Intermediate, Scottish National Certificate level 5)*

• The qualification examples provided is not an exhaustive list

Desirable Criteria

Experienced chainsaw operator able to safely fell trees up to 760mm diameter

Experienced pesticide user able to safely apply pesticides using knapsack sprayers

Experienced strimmer / brush cutter / clearing saw operator able to safely use these machines for mechanical weeding and cleaning

Experience of unmanned air vehicle (drone) operation

Experience of Arc 10 GIS applications

Experience of driving 4WD vehicles

Experience of trailer towing

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Managing a Quality Service

• work and family responsibilities
• A generous annual leave allowanceof 25 days per year, rising to 30 days after 5 years (pro- Excellent professional development opportunitieswhich are tailored to your role, with paid professional membership subscriptions, mentoring, and Civil Service Learning available to all
• access to world class laboratory facilities, as well as state of the art buildings within forest or science park settings

Your work/life balance

• flexible working options such as: up to two days flexi leave per month, blended working, part-time working, paid special leave, career breaks, and unpaid leave. Parents and carers will be supported to enable you to manage rata for part-timers). Plus 2.5 days of additional leave and 8 days’ paid bank/public holidays

Your wellbeing

• Wellbeing support and staff networks and including Mental Health First Aiders, Rainbow Canopy (LGBTQ+) and an Employee Assistance Programme
• We want you to feel part of something bigger and we encourage a community feel in our workplaces, with everything from cookery competitions to Pilates and fell running, plus topical talks at Wellbeing Wednesdays and Feelgood Fridays
• Paid volunteering leave of 3 days per year so you can give back to your community and charitable causes by sharing your skills and time

Your benefits

• a highly competitive Civil Service Pension where employer contributions are up to 26% of your salary
• an employee benefits scheme offering discounts on groceries, gym memberships, holidays, days out, online retailers and high street shops
• Cycle to Work scheme and Interest free loans
• Free parkingis offered on-site, alongside electric car charging ports
• With maternity, adoption, and/or shared parental leave there’s the flexibility to have up to 26 weeks full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid leave. Paternity leaveof up to two weeks is available with full pay.

Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Any move to Forest Research from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

Job contact :

Name :
hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk
Email :
hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk

Recruitment team

Email :
hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk