At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a hands-on team managing forestry and estate maintenance across beautiful Scottish landscapes.
- Company: Forbes Estate, a vibrant working estate in Aberdeenshire.
- Benefits: Full-time permanent role with diverse tasks and outdoor work.
- Other info: Ideal for those who love nature and want to work in a dynamic rural setting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the environment while developing practical skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in forestry, building maintenance, and a full UK driving licence required.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
The Forbes Estate is a working Scottish estate based near Keig in Aberdeenshire, encompassing productive farmland, managed woodland and a range of residential and agricultural properties. We are seeking a skilled and versatile Estate and Forestry worker to join our small team on a full-time permanent basis. This is a hands-on, varied role working across multiple sites on the estate.
Approximately half of your time will be spent on forestry and woodland operations, with the remainder covering general estate maintenance across buildings, grounds, roads and water infrastructure. The successful candidate will be confident working both independently and as part of a small team, taking ownership of tasks while also responding to direction from estate management.
Key Responsibilities- Forestry storage and stacking of timber cut on the estate (equipment to be acquired).
- Tree planting, establishment and general woodland management tasks as directed.
- Maintenance of forestry access tracks across estate woodland sites including Corrie Hill and Cattie Hill.
- General Estate Maintenance:
- Building Repairs re-pointing stone walls.
- External painting of houses and buildings including paint removal, preparation and application.
- Repair of rotten timbers, doors and doorframes and re-glazing of windows.
- General joinery and building fabric repairs across estate properties.
- Meter readings in estate properties.
- General office maintenance e.g. lighting replacement.
- Escorting council staff to inspect wells and water infrastructure, assist with risk assessments.
- Supply to Castle of logs and wood.
- Management and audit of estate supplies and materials e.g. water infrastructure equipment, tools, building supplies.
- Roads:
- Use of vibrating roller and plate.
- Cutting of asphalt roads using disc cutter.
- Digging and clearing of road offlets and drainage ditches.
- Water Supply:
- Repair of burst mains across the estate water supply network (MDPE, alkathene, polythene, copper and concrete pipe).
- Knapsack spraying around gathering and reservoir tanks and stop cock tobbies.
- Routine inspection and maintenance of gathering and reservoir tanks across estate locations.
- Grounds further units an advantage).
- Experience operating forestry machinery (forwarder, harvester or similar).
- Competent operator of a tracked digger.
- Practical skills in fencing — deer fencing, stock fencing and gate hanging.
- General building maintenance skills: painting, basic joinery, slating and glazing.
- Experience of road and drainage maintenance on a rural estate or similar.
- Full, clean UK driving licence.
- Competent tractor driver and experienced 4x4 operator, including off-road use.
- Able to work safely and effectively outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Reliable, self-motivated and able to manage your own workload.
- Experience working on a Scottish rural or highland estate.
- Familiarity with rural water supply systems (MDPE/alkathene pipework, tanks and stop cocks).
- Pesticide application certificate (PA1/PA6 knapsack sprayer).
- Experience with timber processing including band saw operation.
- Experience with grounds maintenance including lawn mowing and hedge cutting.
- Knowledge of deer management or game cover.
Estate & Forestry Worker in Lincolnshire employer: Forbes Estate Office
Joining The Forbes Estate as an Estate & Forestry Worker offers a unique opportunity to be part of a dedicated team in the picturesque Aberdeenshire countryside. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and a supportive work culture, you will enjoy hands-on experience across diverse tasks while contributing to the sustainable management of the estate. The role not only provides competitive benefits but also allows for personal development in a rewarding environment that values teamwork and individual initiative.
