Woodland Officer

Working with the Lead Woodland Officer and as a core member of the Woodland Team, you'll effectively manage and improve the Company's trees and woodlands throughout the North catchment team area, in order to enhance and protect the quality of raw water, habitats, and species, as well as providing opportunities for amenity, and enhancing company reputation.

Working closely with the Woodland Lead, you'll develop and implement forest management plans in line with FSC guidelines for all trees and woodlands within the North catchment. This will include working with the wider team to deliver sustainable woodland management across a diverse portfolio and support the company in delivering great water and more for the North West.

You'll represent UU at meetings with stakeholders including local authorities, utility companies, contractors, partners etc. ensuring that the Company's interests are protected and the Company's reputation enhanced.

**Job Accountabilities**:
With support from the Woodland Lead You'll be responsible for;
- Managing the Woodland Project Officer as well as directing and monitoring contractors, partners, tenants and other stakeholders working on trees and woodlands on the company's land.
- Managing all North woodland / tree records and woodland management plans.
- Supporting the wider woodland team in retaining the company's FSC accreditation.
- Ensuring that contract specifications are fulfilled to the Company's standards. Ensuring method statements & risk assessments (RAMS) of all proposed works are within the requirements of Health & Safety legislation and Company policy and procedures.
- Providing a service to inspect and report on the condition of trees and woodlands, identifying any future thinning, felling, maintenance work and recommended remedial actions for other Company departments, tenants or external customers.
- Ensuring all permissions and licenses are in place for delivering woodland management, such as Felling licenses, EIA, SSSI assent / consent, EPS and species consent etc.
- Developing, gaining approval for and implementing capital schemes on woodland assets and infrastructure.
- Management of woodland revenue budgets to ensure we deliver best value for money, including maximising sales.
- Identifying and securing funding from appropriate grant bodies to support capital and maintenance requirements of woodland assets.
- Maximising sustainable sales opportunities from woodland assets, including preparation and marketing of woodland products
- Manage and deliver tree disease tree safety notifications such as SPHN (statutory plant health notice) and section 154
- Integrated pest management and control of INNS (invasive nonnative species) within woodlands and associated land
- Work with the wider woodland team to deliver the companies tree planting and woodland creation commitment
- Representing the company at local stakeholder groups and visits.

**Knowledge and Skills**:
You'll also have:

- Significant experience in a woodland or forestry management role
- Good understanding of woodland legislative and other planning constraints
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to identify and manage stakeholder relationships
- Full UK Driving License
- Competency in use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) database management/Arc View
- Knowledge of the role land management plays in protecting and enhancing water quality
- People management experience
- Partnership working
- Experience of sound financial management
- Good understanding of conservation, access and recreation

**Additional Information**:
All North area woodlands are certified to FSC standard. The FSC standard is internationally recognised, reflecting careful, sustainable and appropriate woodland management. Woodlands in England are regulated by the Forestry Commission and there is an expectation that as a competent Authority we will ensure our woodlands are managed to the highest standard by qualified personnel.

**We need fantastic people to enable us to deliver a great service to the public. We are committed to reaching and recruiting from every community and then supporting employees to achieve their full potential ensuring they feel valued and included, regardless of their gender, age, race, disability, sexual orientation or social background.**

**Closing Date**:03/05/23