Hamsterley Forest Craftsperson

This post is an exciting opportunity to join the Hamsterley Beat team, part of North Forest District. You will play a key role in the hands-on delivery of practical land management and recreational work for Forestry England.
The Hamsterley Beat comprises 3,200 hectares of diverse woodland and forest located in County Durham, Northumberland and Tyne & Wear.
There is a staff team of 11.5 full time equivalent roles, supported by volunteers and on site business partners., To help maximise the value of the nation’s forests for the benefit of people, nature and the economy on the Hamsterley Beat, by using a full range of practical forestry and countryside skills. To support the delivery of a high quality experience for visitors. To help maintain productive links with neighbours, local communities, external partners, contractors and volunteers.
Key Work Areas
Forest and Estate Management: Carry out a wide range of practical works including tree planting, weeding, fencing, dry-stone walling and tree felling.
Recreation Facility Maintenance: Carry out a wide range of practical works including trail and path repairs, vegetation cutting, litter picking, installation and maintenance of signs, picnic tables and other fixtures.
Surveying and Record keeping: Undertake condition surveys of recreation facilities, potentially hazardous trees, forest boundaries and other estate features. Mark, count and measure trees.
Represent Forestry England: Actively maintain productive relationships with a variety of stakeholders. Represent Forestry England at recreation events and on volunteer work days. Be willing to take time to help visitors enjoy their experience., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Working Together
+ Managing a Quality Service
+ Delivering at Pace, As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete the following:
A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
A Personal Statement, in no more than 500 words, showing how you meet the criteria of the Person Specification.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV.
Interview
Face to face interviews will take place at Redford, Hamsterley Forest, Hamsterley, Co. Durham DL13 3NL at a date to be confirmed.
For candidates invited to interview you will be asked behaviour-based questions, where we will be asking for evidence from your previous roles, and questions to see whether your experience reflects the needs of the role.,
As part of the interview there will be a practical test during which we will assess you against:
+ Ability to follow written instructions.
+ Ability to select appropriate tools/aids.
+ Hand-eye coordination.
+ Awareness of safety.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Forestry Commission 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
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
The duties of this post require frequent travel including to remote areas, therefore applicants need to have a full driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by other means.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Reasonable Adjustment
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.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
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.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
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+ Demonstrable experience of practical rural estate management work and a good understanding of forestry, nature conservation, outdoor recreation and countryside related issues.
+ Familiarity with a variety of mechanical and hand tools and an ability to demonstrate competence in their use (eg City & Guilds/National Proficiency Tests Council, or LANTRA certificates of competence).
+ Evidence of relevant skills through assessed training and the ability to develop these. E.g. possessing one, or more, forestry, rural skills or trade related certificates of competence such as NPTC certificates in chainsaw, clearing saw or herbicide application.
+ Demonstrable evidence of good interpersonal and communication skills.
+ Current driving licence.
+ GCSE at level C or above in Maths and English Language, or equivalent.
Please clearly demonstrate how the above applies to you throughout your application. Failure to do so will mean that your application is automatically sifted out.
Desirable
+ Experience of working with the public in rural enterprise, community or conservation land management situations.
+ A National Vocational Qualification in visitor management, forestry or other land-based activity.
Other
The post holder will be expected to work overtime as requested by the job.
This post includes rostered weekend working., GCSE at level C or above in Maths and English Language, or equivalent.
One, or more, forestry, rural skills or trade related certificates of competence such as NPTC certificates in chainsaw, clearing saw or herbicide application.

North England Forest District has a complement of 132 staff who care for 61,000 hectares of forest and 25,000 hectares of open land. Annual timber production is 550,000 m3 and there is a planting programme in excess of 3 million trees a year. The District has 45 SSSIs totalling over 10,000 ha and is a major contributor to local and national biodiversity. The District has four visitor centres at Grizedale, Whinlatter, Kielder and Hamsterley. The public forest estate in North England District attracts over one million visits per annum.
The Hamsterley Beat includes mature mixed woodlands on the urban fringe at Chopwell and conifer dominated upland forests at Slaley and Hamsterley.
The beat’s timber harvesting programme is circa 20,000 cubic metres per annum, all delivered via standing sales. The majority of the harvest is through clear fell however, Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) and conventional thinning also feature, most notably at Chopwell which is gradually being restored to semi-natural forest. Restock activity mixes replanting of clear felled areas with opportunities for shelterwood approaches in less exposed locations.
Hamsterley Forest is an important recreation destination, attracting 200,000 day visits per year. Visitors come to enjoy nationally renowned mountain bike trails, walking and horse riding routes, an innovative play trail and a café. Throughout the year a range of activity and cultural events are hosted in the forest. There is significant opportunity to position this forest as an important part of County Durham’s tourism offer.
All our sites across the Beat are vital recreation resources to neighbouring communities and host a wide range of volunteering activity with local charities. Two Active Forest co-ordinators deliver outreach activities into the communities around Chopwell Wood and Hamsterley.

Alongside your salary of £24,323, Forestry Commission contributes £6,567 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role
+ An environment with flexible working options
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
+ A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
+ 25 days annual leave increasing to 30 days after 5 years plus 10.5 Public, Privilege and Additional holidays