At a Glance
- Tasks: Supervise forest operations, ensuring safety and effective delivery of timber production and habitat maintenance.
- Company: Join Forestry England, a passionate team dedicated to protecting and enhancing our forests.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, a generous pension scheme, and discounts on everyday expenses.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for career development and lifelong learning.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on the environment while working outdoors in beautiful landscapes.
- Qualifications: Experience in forestry and strong leadership skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30105 - 30105 £ 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. Together, we’re using our scale and expertise to grow the nation’s forests for everyone. We’re already adapting our landscapes for tomorrow, and getting stuff done today, like creating amazing places and experiences for you to enjoy. We're providing vital homes for wildlife, making our air cleaner to breathe and producing sustainable timber.
As a Beat Works Supervisor in Thetford Forest, you will play a key role in ensuring the safe and effective delivery of forest operations that protect the forest, produce timber, establish restocking, maintain SSSI/SPA habitats for rare Breckland fauna and flora, safeguard our unique heritage, and provide extensive public access. At Thetford Forest, we work at a landscape scale. The 20,000 hectare forest is divided into four beats, each contributing to approximately 85,000m³ typical annual timber production and a planting programme of up to 1 million trees a year. Each beat has a small team managed by a Forester. You will be the Work Supervisor in Thetford East Beat, using your forestry knowledge and experience to support the Forester in planning and organising large‑scale, wide‑ranging beat programmes, including harvesting, restocking, vegetation management and hazardous tree work. These programmes are delivered by Beat Craftspeople and contractors; your understanding of operational forestry will ensure their work meets UKFS, UKWAS and FISA standards.
This post is based at the Santon Downham Office near Brandon, Suffolk (IP27 0TJ). You can expect to spend part of your time in the office, but you must also be prepared to work outdoors in all seasons and be able to walk across rough ground. The standard working pattern is 37 hours per week (7am Monday to Friday), although flexibility is required to meet operational needs, including occasional out-of-hours and on-call working. Sometimes meetings and training events will take place elsewhere in the country, which may require overnight stay.
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. You will receive 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. STaRis 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. We have 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.
Interviews will be held at Santon Downham (IP27 0TJ) and may include tests of forestry experience and knowledge. 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.
Works Supervisor - Thetford employer: Forestry England
Forestry England is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work in the beautiful Thetford Forest while making a positive impact on the environment. With a strong commitment to employee development, generous benefits including a robust pension scheme and increasing holiday entitlement, and a supportive work culture that values lifelong learning, you will thrive in a role that combines your passion for forestry with meaningful contributions to conservation and public access.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Works Supervisor - Thetford
✨Connect with Local Farmers and Co-ops
Don't underestimate the power of local connections in agriculture. Get involved in local farmers' markets or agricultural co-ops. These are great places to meet potential employers and get the inside scoop on job openings before they're even advertised.
✨Get Involved in Agricultural Events
Keep an eye out for agricultural fairs, conferences, and workshops in your area. These events are golden opportunities to network with industry professionals and showcase your passion. You might even stumble across job boards or companies actively looking to hire!
✨Volunteer for Relevant Experience
Consider volunteering with organisations focused on agriculture, sustainability, or community gardening. This not only boosts your CV but also expands your network. You never know who might be watching your hard work and dedication!
✨Keep an Eye on Job Listings at Industry-Specific Websites
Be sure to check out agriculture-focused job boards and websites regularly. Companies like Forestry England often post opportunities on their own sites before anywhere else, so don’t miss out! Apply directly through us to increase your chances!
We think you need these skills to ace Works Supervisor - Thetford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in agriculture, it's crucial to highlight any hands-on experience you have in farming, crop management, or sustainable practices. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're after, so be specific about the responsibilities you've had and any tools or techniques you've used.
Certifications Matter:In agriculture, relevant certifications can really give your application a boost. If you have any qualifications related to agricultural practices, pest management, or environmental regulations, make sure to mention them! They're great indicators of your commitment and expertise in the field.
Tailor Your CV to the Agriculture Sector:Your CV should reflect your passion for agriculture. Structure it to emphasise your field experience and any relevant projects you've been involved in. Don't forget to highlight your soft skills, like teamwork and communication, which are essential in this sector.
Passion is Key in Your Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time position, we want to feel your enthusiasm for agriculture in your cover letter. Share why you're drawn to this industry and mention any long-term goals you have that align with what Forestry England does. This can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Forestry England
✨Get Familiar with Agricultural Technologies
Make sure you're up to speed with the latest agricultural technologies and tools that are commonly used in the field. Whether it’s precision farming tools or crop management software, being able to discuss these effectively during your interview with Forestry England will show that you're technically savvy and ready to contribute from day one.
✨Showcase Your Practical Experience
Since agriculture is a hands-on industry, be prepared to share any practical experiences you've had. This could be through internships, volunteer work, or even personal projects. Discussing specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them can really impress the interviewers, especially in a full-time role at Forestry England.
✨Understand the Sustainable Practices
Sustainability is a hot topic in agriculture right now, so it's important to understand current practices and regulations in the industry. Familiarise yourself with concepts like crop rotation, organic farming, and environmental impact. Having informed opinions on these topics can set you apart from other candidates during your interview.
✨Practice Common Industry Scenarios
Expect to tackle a few scenario-based questions that mimic real-life challenges in agriculture. For instance, you might be asked how you would handle a pest infestation or manage resources during a drought. Practising these scenarios will help you respond confidently and showcase your problem-solving skills during the interview with Forestry England.
