Woodland / Forestry Worker vacancy

[Julie Hillier]

Woodland / Forestry Worker

Caterham is one of the UK’s leading co-educational schools. It is well placed for access to town and country: the beautiful two hundred acre site is five minutes’ drive from Junction 6 of the M25, twenty minutes’ drive from Gatwick and a short walk from the local station, with several trains an hour into London.

We have 44 hectares of woodland, including ancient woodland, at the head of the Caterham Valley. A management plan has been produced outlining a long term regeneration and coppicing programme, to improve habitat, woodland health, diversity and to provide an educational resource.

The successful candidate will undertake the various silvicultural operations which are outlined in the School’s Management Plan, as well as day to day management of the woodland. Work will include thinning, coppicing, planting, fencing, spraying, ride cutting, arranging the sale of firewood to local merchants, ordering materials and record keeping. The attractive presentation of the woodland will also be important.

Work will include the use of a modest sized forwarder for timber extraction. It is a sensitive site, both ecologically and socially, so the candidate will be very aware of issues of safety, extraction and soil damage, haulage/collection, as well as woodland use by the school and public.

The candidate will be expected to work on their own initiative on a daily basis, though under the general direction of the Estates Bursar, Head Groundsman and a woodland consultant. The work will be assisted by other members of the School grounds staff whilst doing woodland work and in exchange for their time, the woodland worker will also work in the school grounds. The candidate will also work in close association with the School’s Head of Outdoor Learning to ensure that planned works support and enhance the educational use of the woodland.

Salary will be based on the recommended Forestry Commission pay scales, taking into account qualifications and experience.

For further information and to apply, please visit the vacancies page of our website at www.caterhamschool.co.uk

The closing date for applications is Monday 4 December, interviews will take place later that week.

The school reserves the right to appoint at any stage of the recruitment process; early applications are encouraged.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).