Forester

Location: Cragside, Rothbury, Morpeth, NE65 7PX

Contract Type: Permanent / Full-time

Reference/IRC: IRC162577

Closing Date: 13th April 2025

Salary: £26,793 pa

You’ll play a key, hands-on role as Forester, in helping to maintain excellent standards of presentation, woodland and tree safety management, and conservation, to deliver a visitor experience worthy of one of the north east’s major visitor attractions.

The estate is a grade-1 registered landscape, and the emphasis is therefore on Arboricultural principles and practices, rather than commercial forestry.

We’ll provide the appropriate training, so that you become competent in the following: tree safety inspections, med fell, assisted fell, windblown timber CS39/204 using a chainsaw from a rope and harness, forestry machine operator units FMO 208, 209 (base unit and line skidder).

Internally you'll be known as a Forester - Commercial Forestry Ops.

What it's like to work here

Cragside is a highly-popular attraction in the Northeast, welcoming around 250,000 visitors every year. Located in rural Northumberland, 15 miles from the coast and 30 miles from the vibrant city of Newcastle.

You'll join a high-performing property team, experienced in a broad range of disciplines. Managing the extensive landscape requires close co-operation between the outdoor teams, especially when it comes to delivering an exceptional, seamless visitor experience across the property. At Cragside, visitors have access to the entire estate should they wish to explore it fully.

What you'll be doing

As a Forester, working within the forestry team, you'll be responsible for helping care for, and manage, the estate. This will include carrying out a wide range of tree and woodland practical maintenance activities, along with some wildlife conservation activity.

A natural ambassador for the National Trust, you’ll be responsible for helping with excellent communication of our conservation and woodland management work to a wide range of audiences, both new and existing, as well as contractors.

You’ll be required to be First Aid at Work qualified including forestry first aid +F.

Who we're looking for

• Practical experience of woodland management
• Have in date/refreshed NPTC certificates including chainsaw units 201, 202, (maintenance and cross cutting, small fell). Climbing certificates NPTC CS38, Tree climbing and aerial rescue
• NPTC tractor, PA1/PA6 spraying, NPTC chipper
• Able to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, contractors, and visitors
• Full UK Driving licence
• Strong practical outdoor experience covering the main aspects of Arboricultural and woodland work supported by appropriate qualifications to level 2 (or equivalent level of vocational experience)
• Competent with machinery and equipment including routine maintenance
• Experienced in health and safety and environmental compliance

Apply: IRC162577 - Forester