Apprentice Forest Craftsperson

Apprentice Forest Craftsperson Central England x8 
Various locations
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 12th June 2022
Reference number: 198970
Salary: £19,580
Grade: Administrative Assistant, Pay Band 7
Contract type: Apprenticeship
Business area: FC - Forestry England
Type of role: Environment and Sustainability
Working pattern: Full-time

Summary
Central England Forest District
Central England Forest District is responsible for the management of almost 30,000ha of Forest within a triangle formed by Blackpool, Hull and Milton Keynes.
The district provides a supply of timber supporting the UK timber industry; supports a wide range of important habitats and rare important species and contains some of the busiest public woodlands in the UK.

We are offering apprentice craftsperson roles in several locations throughout the district to work alongside our existing craftspersons and beat teams to gain practical experience whilst following a structured training programme. Job Description The apprenticeship offers an exciting opportunity to work within Central England Forest District to gain experience in a wide range of skills working in both forest and other habitats.

The main responsibilities of the Apprentice Forest Craftsperson role are working with other staff to:

• Undertake forest estate management operations including timber mensuration, fencing, planting, habitat enhancement and protection of historic features.
• Support timber harvesting activities.
• Support Recreation and Public Affairs activities by undertaking practical recreation facility maintenance, tree safety inspection and remedial works.
• Work effectively as part of a small team, and when requested responding quickly to unexpected work and requests raised by supervisors and managers.

The role involves manual work outdoors in all weathers in the forest environment. The job is varied and wide ranging, requiring close team working, enthusiasm and ability to deliver at pace across a range of skills and disciplines.

We require all our staff to be welcoming, enthusiastic and approachable, with a willingness to engage with team discussion and with visitors to the forest in a polite and appropriate manner.

You will undertake the Forest Operative Level 2 apprenticeship and will be trained and obtain awards in:

• Level 3 award in emergency first aid at work (in a forestry context known as +F)
• Level 2 award in chainsaw maintenance
• Level 2 award in crosscutting timber using a chainsaw
• Level 2 award in felling and processing trees up to 380mm
• Level 2 Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides Guidance OR Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Pesticides
• Level 2 Award in the Safe Application of Pesticides using Pedestrian Hand Held Equipment (including application near water)
• Level 2 award in safe use of brush-cutters and strimmers
• Level 2 award in safe use of forestry clearing saw

Throughout the 2-year apprenticeship you will be required to attend formal training which may require you to travel and stay away from home. You will also be required to carry out revision and study and record your work within a portfolio. To successfully complete the apprenticeship, you will be required to pass a final, end point assessment.

The Forestry England training team will support you during the apprenticeship. On successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will be offered a post within Forestry England.

In line with legal, Governmental and Organisational policy, Forestry England is committed to promoting equality and diversity throughout the organisation and its workforce. As such, the apprenticeship programme is open to all applicants and there is no minimum academic qualification level required. We will need to ensure that you are eligible for an apprenticeship as part of the process.

Responsibilities Personal Specification Essential Experience • Evidence of ability to work outdoors and interest in countryside management, forestry, conservation or similar

• Evidence of good people skills and ability to work as part of a team
• Willingness and ability to acquire new practical skills through training courses, practice and by learning from colleagues
• Basic computer, IT and mobile phone skills

Desirable Experience

• Ability to use MS Office packages, including Outlook.
• GCSE (Grades A-C or 4 and above) or equivalent in Maths and English.

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension