Senior Forester

The Role

Forestry England is looking for an accomplished forestry professional that has led teams to
successfully deliver forestry operations in multipurpose forests, but also has sound experience
in stakeholder engagement. This role will lead and support the work of our two geographical
beats at East Sussex and Kent; and will also lead on some key projects around plant health.

About Us

East England Forest District, covers an area of 35,000 hectares from North Norfolk to Brighton;
including Thetford Forest and the outlying beats of Sandlings, Kent, East Sussex, Chilterns and
Thames Chase Community Forest. The District has a varied landholding including the largest
lowland pine forest in England at Thetford, community woodland on the outskirts of London at
Thames Chase, and a range of mixed woodland, many of which are on sites of Ancient Woodland.

There are numerous sites of conservation interest designated across the District, including
Special Protection Areas to conserve the breeding habitat for the Woodlark and Nightjar,
Special Areas of Conservation, Sites of Specific Scientific Interest, Areas of Outstanding
National Beauty, Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland, County Wildlife Sites and Scheduled Monuments.

The District offers outdoor recreation, leisure and wellbeing activities for hundreds of
thousands of people each year at its recreation centres. Forestry England’s whole freehold
estate is dedicated for public access on foot, with numerous small carparks and informal access
points.

Location

The Bedgebury office, TN17 2SL will act as the parent office and therefore official reporting
point for this role. Blended working arrangements can be considered, there will however be a
requirement for frequent face to face contact with both East Sussex and Kent beat teams.
Blended working is a voluntary, informal, non-contractual arrangement that will be mutually
agreed between the individual and line manager on commencement subject to individual, role,
team, and business requirements that will be continually reviewed. Some overnight stays away
from home may be necessary on an infrequent basis for attending training, team meetings etc to
maximise efficiency in this role.

Job description

As Senior Forester you will be part of the East Forest District’s Forestry and Land Management
senior team, helping to steer and drive our forestry operations alongside other key objectives
in the Beats to deliver against Forestry England’s objectives and our District’s Strategy.

Your specific roles will include:

• Leading, mentoring and supporting East Sussex and Kent Beat Foresters in the operational
  delivery of harvesting, regeneration programmes and public engagement provision in
  collaboration with specialist District leads.
• Leading and managing the District response to Ips typographus (the Greater Eight Toothed
  Spruce bark beetle) and the associated project, budget and the resultant programme of remedial
  works.
• Line managing the two Beat Foresters that cover the East Sussex and Kent beats and
  providing leadership for their associated beat teams.
• Working closely with the specialist District team leads for Planning, Harvesting, Forest
  Management, Recreation and Estates to produce achievable beat delivery plans and budgets that
  deliver National and District priorities.

Being an active part of the District’s Forest and Land Management Leadership Team setting
direction and providing support across all beats, to include:

• Providing cover for other District Foresters and the Head of Land Management during periods
  of holiday and/or other absence to ensure continuity in Forest Land Management support and
  leadership.
• Supporting the Forest Resilience Programme with contributions to developing forest health
  and silviculture strategies.
• Coordinating and leading projects and task finish groups within the District Business Team
  as required that will include work associated with Health and Safety Management.