Senior Forester - Morpeth
Summary
INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY PLEASE
Your role will be key and hands-on in helping to maintain excellent standards of presentation, woodland management, and conservation in order to deliver a visitor experience worthy of one of the north east’s major visitor attractions.
The estate is a grade 1 registered landscape, and the emphasis is, therefore, on Arboricultural principles and practices, rather than commercial forestry.
The working pattern is Sunday to Thursday, including Bank Holidays. You'll also be part of the duty manager rota for daily operations on the property meaning you'll be responsible for the smooth running of the property during opening hours, acting as the main contact point for staff, volunteers, and customers in case of emergency, enquiry or complaint.
Internally you'll be known as a Senior Forester - Commercial Forestry Ops.
What it's like to work here
You'll join a high performing property team, experienced in a broad range of disciplines. Everyone works closely together to look after Cragside for our visitors – both present and future – to enjoy.
Cragside is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the Northeast, welcoming around 250,000 visitors every year. Located in stunning, rural Northumberland 15 miles from the coast, and only 30 miles from the vibrant city of Newcastle, living and working at Cragside allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Managing the extensive landscape requires close co-operation between the outdoor teams, especially when it comes to delivering an exceptional, seamless visitor experience across the property. Visitors have access to the entire estate should they wish to explore it fully.
What you'll be doing
As the Senior Forester, working within the forestry team, you'll be responsible for helping care for, and manage the estate. This will include carrying out a wide range of tree and woodland practical maintenance activities, along with some wildlife conservation activity.
You'll also be responsible for supervising the forestry team activities in the absence of the Head Forester. This will include some administrative responsibilities including meetings, planning, and ensuring compliance and essential tasks are completed.
A natural ambassador for the National Trust, you’ll be responsible for helping with excellent communication of our conservation and woodland management work to a wide range of audiences, both new and existing, as well as contractors.
Who we're looking for
To deliver this role successfully, you'll need:
- strong practical outdoor experience covering the main aspects of Arboricultural and woodland work supported by appropriate qualifications to level 3 (or equivalent level of vocational experience).
- NPTC certificates including chainsaw units 201, 202, 301, 302 (maintenance and cross cutting, Small, med fell, assisted fell, and windblown timber). Climbing certificates NPTC CS38/203, CS39/204 Tree climbing and aerial rescue and using a chainsaw from a rope and harness
- PTC tractor, PA1/PA6 spraying, chipper, and forestry machine operator units FMO 208, 209 (base unit and line skidder)
- to be able to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, contractors, and visitors
- to have strong organisational skills including work programming
- supervising contractors or working with outside agencies
- have a full UK Driving licence
- you’ll be required to be First Aid at Work qualified
The package
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
Rental deposit loan scheme
Season ticket loan
EV car lease scheme
Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
Flexible working whenever possible
Employee assistance programme
Free parking at most Trust places
Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.
