At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain recreation facilities and site infrastructure in Kielder Forest for an amazing visitor experience.
- Company: Join the passionate team at Forestry England, dedicated to preserving our forests.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, a generous pension scheme, and discounts on everyday shopping.
- Other info: Opportunities for career development and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on the environment while working in beautiful forest settings.
- Qualifications: Experience in maintenance and a passion for teamwork and outdoor activities.
The predicted salary is between 26959 - 26959 £ per year.
We are Forestry England. We live and breathe forests. Join us. We're foresters, professionals and experts. We are a passionate team who love to share our enthusiasm and want to make a positive difference for you and the environment.
What You’ll Do
We are looking for a Recreation Craftsperson to be an integral part of the Forestry England Northumberland Recreation team to maintain recreation facilities and site infrastructure: car parks, cycle routes and accessible trails within the forest to ensure that we deliver a high-quality visitor experience. Working across The Kielder Forest and supporting wider recreation sites across Northumberland Forests. You will also work with the wider Beat teams and volunteers to maintain our visitor facilities, making sure our visitors have a smooth, inclusive and enjoyable experience. You will help cultivate a supportive and positive work environment that encourages teamwork, productivity and individual growth. Weekend working will be a core requirement of this role to support the team and support wellbeing of the team to be able to have 2 days non work per week as legally required in a 7-day period. During peak loads of visitors to the forests the role will be more supporting visitor services, in quieter periods the role will be hands on maintenance of facilities such as trails on both forest walks and mountain bike trail network in addition to supporting car parks and Kielder Castle centre and also learning how integrated operational works with facility management to best practice standards.
Where you’ll work
Based at Kielder Depot, working across Kielder Forest and also supporting the wider recreational sites located at forests of Northumberland when required.
Benefits
- Alongside your salary, Forestry England contributes an average of 28.97% towards your pension. You will become a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.
- 25 days holiday a year, raising by one day every year’s service, up to 30 days (pro-rated for part-time employees) plus additional days off such as bank holidays.
- STaR is our employee benefits scheme offering discounts on everyday supermarket shopping, as well as other things such as hotel stays, clothes, mobile phones, other electrical items, medical and car insurance, holidays, gym discounts, household bills, Headspace wellbeing app.
- Free parking at Forestry England sites and free entry to our National Arboretums at Westonbirt and Bedgebury.
- A commitment to lifelong learning through career development. Forestry England will support your career development in a variety of ways, including continual professional development, support for individual learning plans and sponsored membership of professional bodies.
How To Apply
You will be asked to write a 200 word statement on your relevant experience and career history, along with a personal statement of no more than 500 words. You will be assessed on both during sifting. More details about how to apply are listed on the application form. You will be assessed on experience, a technical skill and strength based questions during your interview. The behaviours being assessed at interview are: Working Together, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service.
Successful candidates will undergo a criminal record check and the government baseline personnel security standard check. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please email fcrecruitmentteam@forestryengland.uk.
Nationality Requirements
Read more about nationality requirements here.
Working for the Civil Service
Forestry England is part of the Civil Service. The Civil Service has a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS). This means candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria during the application process will be guaranteed an interview. We also offer a Redeployment Interview Scheme to current civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the role. This role is also part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans and Prison Leaver Recruitment initiative.
Within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to provide conversation in accurate spoken English. Our recruitment process makes appointments based on fair and open competition and merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in line with/according to these principles and you wish to make a complaint, please email: englandhr.services@forestryengland.uk.
Recreation Craftsperson - Kielder Forest employer: Forestry England
Forestry England is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that thrives on teamwork and individual growth. As a Recreation Craftsperson at Kielder Forest, you will enjoy generous benefits including a robust pension scheme, 25 days of annual leave that increases with service, and access to a variety of employee discounts. With a commitment to lifelong learning and career development, this role not only allows you to contribute positively to the environment but also supports your personal and professional aspirations in a stunning natural setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Recreation Craftsperson - Kielder Forest
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Forestry England and the Kielder Forest team. Understanding their values and projects will help you connect during the interview and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their passionate crew.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you're in the interview, make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have with maintenance or recreation facilities. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've contributed to similar projects in the past – this will help us see how you can fit into our team.
✨Tip Number 3
Ask questions! Interviews are a two-way street, so don’t hesitate to ask about the team dynamics or what a typical day looks like at Kielder Forest. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you too.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We encourage you to submit your application directly on the Forestry England site. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves and helps us keep track of all candidates efficiently.
We think you need these skills to ace Recreation Craftsperson - Kielder Forest
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Forests:We want to see your enthusiasm for the great outdoors! In your written application, make sure to highlight any experiences or projects that showcase your love for forests and recreation. This will help us see how you fit into our passionate team.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your 200-word statement and 500-word personal statement, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and get straight to the point about your relevant experience and skills. Remember, less is often more!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to align your application with the job description. Highlight your experience in maintaining recreational facilities and working with teams. This shows us that you understand what we’re looking for and how you can contribute to our mission.
Check Your Spelling and Grammar:Before hitting send, give your application a good proofread. Typos and grammatical errors can distract from your message. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is super important for this role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Forestry England
✨Know Your Forests
Familiarise yourself with Kielder Forest and its recreational facilities. Understand the key features of the site, such as car parks, cycle routes, and accessible trails. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your passion for the environment and your commitment to providing a high-quality visitor experience.
✨Showcase Teamwork Skills
Since the role involves working with various teams and volunteers, be prepared to discuss your experiences in teamwork. Share specific examples of how you've collaborated with others to achieve common goals, especially in outdoor or maintenance settings. This will highlight your ability to cultivate a supportive work environment.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical skill questions related to facility maintenance and management. Brush up on best practices for maintaining trails and visitor facilities. Being able to speak confidently about your technical knowledge will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Craft Your Personal Statement
Your personal statement is crucial. Use it to convey your enthusiasm for the role and your relevant experience. Make sure to connect your past roles to the responsibilities of the Recreation Craftsperson position, emphasising your dedication to enhancing visitor experiences in natural settings.
