Bathurst Estate, Cirencester - JOB VACANCY applications close on 30th Nov

[Iain Garett]

Forest Craftsperson – JOB VACANCY

The Bathurst Estate is one of the country’s oldest and most beautiful rural estates and is set in the heart of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Estate covers some 15000 acres of parkland, woodland, and farmland, of which the woodlands comprise approximately 3000 acres.

We are currently looking for an enthusiastic and motivated person, preferably with experience of working or training in forestry, to join our woodland team. The role will be to assist in the management of estate woodlands and the obligations of a higher tier stewardship scheme, as well as helping with the firewood business and wider estate maintenance tasks including trimming the tallest Yew hedge in Britain once a year.

The job is predominately set outdoors and although there is a range of mechanical equipment available to help with most tasks, there shall also be a level of manual work which makes it quite physically demanding.

Your responsibilities shall include:

·        Processing & delivering firewood, to include order taking and customer service

·        Tree planting & establishment

·        Weeding/cleaning

·        Herbicide application

·        Coppicing

·        Tree felling

·        Harvesting & extraction

·        Chainsaw and equipment maintenance

·        Woodland & Estate maintenance (to include dealing with windblown trees/fallen branches, fencing repairs, hedge cutting, track maintenance)

·        Carrying out risk assessments

·        Reporting to the forest foreman and manager

Essential skills and experience (allowances may be made for the right candidate)

·        Full UK driving licence

·        NPTC chainsaw certificates (minimum – maintenance & cross cutting & felling and processing trees up to 380mm)

·        Experience in forestry or related areas

·        A positive approach to health & safety

·        Good problem-solving skills, and being able to work on your own or as part of a team

Desirable skills

·        Emergency First Aid at Work

·        NVQ Level 2 in Forestry (or related subject)

·        Pesticides certificates (PA1/PA6)

·        Forest Machine Operations certification (base machine plus winch, forwarder, skidder etc.)

·        Driving licence to tow trailers

·        Powered Access Licence (IPAF) for use of mobile elevated work platforms

You will normally work for 40 hours per week and will benefit from a competitive wage (dependent on qualifications and previous experience) and 20 days holiday per year in addition to Bank Holidays.

To apply, please email your CV and covering letter to [email protected]. Previous applicants need not re-apply. For more information on the Bathurst Estate please visit our website www.bathurstestate.co.uk.

Closing date for applications: 30th November 2021