Full-Time Forester
Job Description
Highlands Rewilding Ltd
Job description – Forester
A flagship nature recovery project in the Highlands of Scotland seeks an experienced Forester to lead on delivering sustainable forestry and woodland management.
The purpose of Highlands Rewilding is to enable nature recovery and community prosperity, through rewilding at scale. Land is managed to facilitate measurable increases in biodiversity and carbon sequestration, to generate ethical profits, and to enable community engagement/involvement in rewilding.
Highlands Rewilding Ltd currently operates in three locations (further sites may be added in the future) with a wide range of forest and woodland types.
At the Bunloit Estate in Inverness-shire there is over 250 hectares of woodland and work is already underway to reduce the area of Sitka spruce and increase the native species, including plans for continuous cover forestry.
The Beldorney Estate in Aberdeenshire currently has around 100 hectares of woodland including the new 18 hectare Forest of Hope where planting is underway; an area of ancient riparian broadleaves; clear-fell sites due to be restocked with natives; and various ages of plantations. New woodland areas are also being considered.
The Tayvallich estate in Argyll and Bute is a recent addition to the Highlands Rewilding portfolio and includes patches of ancient Temperate Atlantic Rainforest. Restoring, connecting and monitoring these habitats (some of which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest) will be some of the main priorities.
The role
The Forester will lead on the planning and management of forestry across the estates, collaborating closely with the local estate and Science teams as wider land management plans are developed. Forestry plans will include elements of sustainable commercial forestry but with a primary focus on native woodland and biodiversity.
With strong forestry experience, you will be innovative and willing to experiment with new approaches and methods.
The role will involve:
• Working with the Science and local estate teams to develop and implement forestry plans consistent with the mission for each estate.
• Building and maintaining excellent working relationships with external organisations, including Scottish Forestry and local authorities for permissions, tree suppliers for planting schemes, and felling contractors.
• Leading on budget planning and control for forestry activities, including preparing long-term revenue and cost forecasts for business planning purposes.
• Undertaking site visits when needed to plan and execute woodland management, including monitoring regeneration, planting, felling, etc.
• Scoping forestry aspects of other candidate estates for potential vertical expansion of our portfolio, and engaging in the team that builds holistic estate-management capacity in HRL as part of our data-driven land-management service offering to other landowners.
• Carrying out tree safety surveys and ensure best-in-class compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Planning and leading on biosecurity to maximise the chances that tree diseases are kept out of the estates.
• Drawing up of best-in-class health and safety policies relating to forestry activities, and leading the execution of them, keeping appropriate records.
• Being an active participant in the team striving to enable nature recovery and community prosperity through rewilding, including being involved in community events and tours.
The role is remote working with trips to site as required. This will be a full-time role of Monday-Friday, 9am–5pm. On occasion, there may be a need to work outside of these hours, particularly when travelling to site. We are open to considering part-time or flexible work arrangements.
The salary will be in the range of £40,000 – £55,000, depending on experience. The successful applicant will report to the Co-chief Scientists.
We are building a team and a culture that recognises and values different backgrounds, mindsets, skills, and experience and we are advertising widely as a result. Additionally, as important elements of the Highlands Rewilding model are its strong connection to communities in the Highlands of Scotland and its aim to create local employment, we will be interested in candidates who may have those connections.
How to Apply
Please email your CV and a cover letter explaining why you are well suited to the role to info@highlandsrewilding.co.uk Application deadline Tuesday 30th May 2023.52 total views, 0 today