Bedgebury Pinetum Craftsperson

To work as part of the Tree Team at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest completing a wide range of tasks to help meet the sites work commitments, H&S responsibilities and ongoing routine maintenance tasks., Help manage, maintain and develop Bedgeburys internationally important botanical collection of trees. The work will involve planting, pruning and weeding trees and shrubs.
Maintain various habitats within the Pinetum tree collection using a variety of machinery.
Operate tractors and mowers to complete work programmes across the Bedgebury estate.
Carry out a range of practical maintenance jobs throughout the Bedgebury estate, working effectively as part of a team, when requested responding quickly to unexpected work and issues raised by supervisors.
Undertake maintenance, monitoring and data-gathering tasks such as the assessment of newly planted trees.
Help support the other teams on site to deliver Bedgeburys business needs.
The role involves manual work almost entirely spent outdoors in all weathers in the forest environment. The job is varied and wide ranging, requiring close team working, enthusiasm and ability to deliver at pace across a range of skills and disciplines.
We require all our staff to be welcoming, enthusiastic and approachable, with a willingness to engage with team discussions and with the visitors to Bedgebury in a polite and appropriate manner, As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and 500-word personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form and below.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the personal statement.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview. We typically interview no more than 10 to 12 candidates over two days.We expect to carry out interviews at Bedgebury National Pinetum (TN17 2SL). At interview, you will be asked Behaviour questions and after the interview, there will be an outdoor practical assessment. Further information will be provided if you are invited to interview.
Please bring appropriate outdoor clothing suitable for the weather on the interview day including safety boots. Other PPE will be provided if required.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to FC from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Good understanding of health and safety issues relating to working in a public access site. Experience of groundwork or site maintenance. Ability to use a wide range of hand tools.
Desirable
Experience in the use and maintenance of a range of landscaping, arboriculture or forestry tools and machinery
Experience of working in a botanic or landscape garden. A relevant qualification in horticulture, land management or forestry.
Driving Licence
A full UK driving licence is essential for this role. The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. However, the Forestry Commission is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.

Forestry England is seeking a motivated individual to join the team managing the botanical tree collection at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest.
The job is at the Bedgebury office in Goudhurst, near Tunbridge Wells and is part of the East England Forest District. The East District employs over 150 staff, covers an area of 35,000 ha from North Norfolk to Brighton. Huge conifer plantations in Norfolk contrast with small ancient woodlands in Essex and Kent; along with two beautiful arboretums - the National Pinetum at Bedgebury and the Lynford Arboretum.
Bedgebury is home to the National Conifer Collection which is managed for a range of purposes, such as: to support the conservation of conifers; to improve people’s understanding of trees and the environment; to be a research site for the trial of future forestry species; and to provide opportunities for outdoor recreation. The National Pinetum borders Bedgebury Forest and there are visitor facilities that cross the boundaries between these areas.

Alongside your salary of £24,323, Forestry Commission contributes £7,046 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role
+ An environment with flexible working options
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
+ A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
+ A range of wellbeing benefits including discounted Civil Service Healthcare, access to an Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, Bike to Work Scheme, plus many more.
+ 25 days annual leave, with 1 additional day for each years’ service up to 5 years (pro rata), plus 10.5 bank holidays/privilege days (pro rata).
+ Ability to buy or sell 5 days annual leave.
+ 3 days volunteering per year (pro rata).