Woodland Restoration Manager (Ref: 6053)

Ash dieback (ADB) is threatening to destroy a large part of the Peak District’s iconic ravine woodlands and that’s what drove the successful bid and subsequent creation of the LIFE in the Ravines (LITR) project. This ambitious Natural England (NE)-led £5 million project is funded by EU LIFE with project partners including Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, National Trust and Chatsworth Settlement Trust.
The ravine woodlands of the Derbyshire Dales is an incredibly special habitat and important on an international scale. LITR aims to tackle the effects of ADB through a programme of tree planting, seed collecting, research and sharing best practice across almost 900 hectares. With the threat of widespread loss of the ash species, the woodland restoration work undertaken by the project will help diversify tree species in the woodlands by 25% over the life of the project and lead to a return to the treescapes that would have been familiar hundreds of years ago. The project will therefore not only help to mitigate the threat of ADB but will also make the woodlands more resilient to any future changes that might threaten these important ecosystems., Do you have a passion for nature and the environment? Do you want to make a real difference and secure significant environmental gains in the present and the future? Do you enjoy working in a team? Can you see yourself advising communities and customers to maximise gains for the Natural Environment?
If this appeals to you, a career at Natural England offers rewarding opportunities to secure environmental improvements and play your part in creating a better future for people and nature.
The priority work Natural England is delivering includes:
+ Establishing a Nature Recovery Network to help wildlife thrive;
+ Monitoring environmental changes to identify and help reduce the effects of climate change;
+ Working with farmers and landowners to develop greener food production methods;
+ Advising on plans for new developments to maximise gains for nature, and
+ Providing ways for people to better connect with nature, including green social prescribing.
We are the Government’s Adviser for the natural environment, playing a vital role in delivering the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, an ambitious vision which brings new opportunities to protect and enhance and to achieve real outcomes for the environment.
Find out more about the work of Natural England at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england
The Role
Natural England are seeking a highly motivated, professional person with a real passion for nature conservation and woodland management, to help deliver the EU grant-funded LIFE in the Ravines partnership project.
The LIFE in the Ravines project is centred within the ravine woodlands of the Peak District Dales Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and aims to:
+ Restore more than 800 hectares of the SAC’s mixed ravine woodland which are currently dominated by ash
+ Diversify existing woodland structures to ensure long-term viability and to lessen the impacts of climate change and future diseases
+ Inspire and promote better knowledge of the value of natural ravine woodland and promote best practice in restoration techniques and practices.
The project will achieve this by working with several partner organisations, including Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, the National Trust and Chatsworth Estate.
The Woodland Restoration Manager will join the core LIFE in the Ravines team. This includes a Project Manager, a Finance Officer, an Engagement and Communications Officer and two other site-based Woodland Restoration staff and several winter seasonal site staff.
Key tasks/accountabilities
Managing and supervising the delivery of site operations by both the project team and external contractors, this role will be wide-ranging. It will require a good practical aptitude, proven experience in Health and Safety and contract management, in addition to excellent team management and communication skills.
As well as being a team player you will also need to work alone so will need good initiative and self-motivation. Day-to-day tasks will be conducted on steep challenging terrain and require working outside in all weather conditions. Therefore, you will need to be physically fit and have the ability to operate safely and effectively in remote locations.
You will be expected to lead demonstration of and safe working practices whilst managing, working alongside and supervising staff and contractors. Managing the site team, you will work with the Woodland Restoration Supervisor to drive work plans, coordinate people and resources and plan logistics. You will need to have knowledge and experience in the safe use of tools and machinery associated with delivering manual practical woodland management, i.e., tree felling, tree planting and aftercare, in addition to instructing and supervising others to do so.
The main tasks associated with the role will be:
+ In conjunction with the Project Manager, reviewing delivery of the site-based team's project milestones and deliverables and, where necessary, adjusting plans.
+ Managing day-to-day project risks relating to delivering work plans on time & within resource.
+ Recruiting winter seasonal site-based staff.
+ Overseeing relationships with landowners and partners to ensure effective delivery of the project's site-based actions.
+ Ensuring woodland management is undertaken to all necessary standards and exemplar working practices are being followed.
+ Operating relevant off-road vehicles, woodland management tools/machinery alongside other associated equipment, and overseeing their associated upkeep and record keeping.
+ Supervising Health & Safety management of the project for the site-based team, through risk assessments, method statements, checks and record keeping.
+ Working with the Project Manager and Engagement & Communications Officer to investigate further opportunities to share learning from the project with wider audiences and other interested groups in the UK and EU.
+ Leading applications for felling licences and other statutory permissions and consents, road closures and any local access permissions. Ensuring that correct licences are in place and team are adhering to any relevant conditions within them.
+ Co-ordinating and forward planning procurement activities required for site-based actions by site-based team and project partners.
+ Contract management to include creating contract specifications, procurement and contract/contractor supervision.
+ Consolidating and overseeing seed collecting, tree cloning and drone seeding strategies.
+ Working in conjunction with the Project Manager and partners to use survey data to inform work planning, including measuring and marking-up of felling coupes and work areas.
+ Mapping of work areas, through both site survey and desk based IT systems (i.e. ArcGIS).
+ Overseeing completion of required monitoring activities by site-based staff and/or external contractors.
+ Using IT and other associated technology to deliver your work, Please state how your technical skills and knowledge match the above requirements.
Competence 2
Professional competency
Detail
Personal Effectiveness
+ Make and explain objective decisions which combine your professional judgement and evidence
+ Use clear and appropriate language, communication styles and techniques that engage your audience, Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult decision that required balancing your professional judgement with evidence.
Competence 3
Professional competency
Detail
Creating resilient landscapes and seas
+ Understand and apply appropriate management techniques to maintain or enhance the condition of sites
+ Assess environmental impacts and identify appropriate avoidance, mitigation and/ or compensation measures
+ Identify how a site interacts with the surrounding landscape, habitats and local communities, Can you give us an example where you’ve had to assess environmental impacts of a piece of work and identify appropriate avoidance, mitigation and/ or compensation measures?
Competence 4
Professional competency
Detail
Work delivery
+ Manage and deliver your work to meet agreed targets and deadlines
+ Understand and apply relevant policy, legislation, governance frameworks and strategies to your work, Give an example of a time when you had to meet strict targets and deadlines. How did you manage your work, and how did you ensure that you complied with relevant policies, legislation, or governance frameworks?
Competence 5
Professional competency
Detail
Working safely
+ Apply the principles of risk management and adopt safe working practices for yourself and the people you work with in everything you do
+ Understand the duty of care owed to all visitors, contractors or others on our NNRs, and adhere to appropriate legislation and Natural England policies and procedures, Describe a situation where you had to manage risks and ensure safety for yourself and others on a site. How did you apply safe working practices and fulfil your duty of care to visitors or contractors, while adhering to relevant policies and legislation?
Competence 6
Professional competency
Detail
Putting people at the heart of the environment
+ Listen to and understand our diverse partners and customers so that you achieve the best outcomes for them and Natural England
+ Nurture trusting partnerships and collaborate to achieve pragmatic outcomes that help deliver Natural England’s vision, mission and aims
+ Understand and explain the outcomes that we seek in your local patch and how these fit in with local and national issues.

+ A qualification, at Level 4 or higher, in a relevant subject (e.g. countryside management, woodland management or forestry) or an employment history which demonstrates operating at, or above, that level.
+ Sound knowledge of trees, woodlands, nature conservation, habitat management and ecology.
+ Substantial relevant hands-on work experience in practical land management, within woodland management, forestry, or nature conservation.
+ Experience of planning, managing, and delivering practical work tasks (in a relevant field).
+ Experience of managing, supervising, and directing people in the safe and effective delivery of practical site work (in a relevant field).
+ Experience of leading partnership working and stakeholder engagement.
+ Contract management experience from creation to execution.
+ Chainsaw qualification, for a minimum of maintenance, cross-cutting and small tree felling (e.g. NPTC CS30 & CS31 or equivalent), with consolidated experience.
+ Full UK Driving Licence.
+ Good knowledge of health and safety, in particular adherence to relevant good practice and legislation and experience of conducting and implementing site and equipment risk assessments.
+ Experience in mapping programs.
+ Good knowledge of relevant legislation/regulations in relation to nature conservation land management.
Additional information
+ A driving licence is essential for the role due to remote/rural locations., + A qualification, at Level 4 or higher, in a relevant subject (e.g. countryside management, woodland management or forestry) or an employment history which demonstrates operating at, or above, that level.
+ Sound knowledge of trees, woodlands, nature conservation, habitat management and ecology.
+ Substantial relevant hands-on work experience in practical land management, within woodland management, forestry, or nature conservation.
+ Experience of planning, managing, and delivering practical work tasks (in a relevant field).
+ Experience of managing, supervising, and directing people in the safe and effective delivery of practical site work (in a relevant field).
+ Experience of leading partnership working and stakeholder engagement.
+ Contract management experience from creation to execution.
+ Chainsaw qualification, for a minimum of maintenance, cross-cutting and small tree felling (e.g. NPTC CS30 & CS31 or equivalent), with consolidated experience.
+ Full UK Driving Licence.
+ Good knowledge of health and safety, in particular adherence to relevant good practice and legislation and experience of conducting and implementing site and equipment risk assessments.
+ Experience in mapping programs.
+ Good knowledge of relevant legislation/regulations in relation to nature conservation land management, Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

+ Limited national or European travel will be required, which will involve some overnight stays and anti-social hours. Natural England encourages staff to travel by public transport wherever this is feasible.
+ Your employment shall, unless terminated earlier by either you or the Employer giving no less than five weeks’ notice, continue for a fixed period until 30/11/25 upon which date it shall automatically terminate without the need for notice by either party to the other. There is a strong possibility that the project will be extended until 30/11/26 in which case your employment would be also extended.
Benefits
Wherever possible Natural England accommodates requests for both full-time and part-time hours and other flexible working patterns to help employees achieve a good work/life balance and maintain their health and wellbeing.
Natural England provides excellent opportunities for career progression, training and development tailored to your role. From induction to ongoing learning and development, everyone in Natural England is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. Everyone has 10 days to devote to personal learning and development, as well as an additional 3 days to volunteer.
You will have access to Civil Service Pension and benefits arrangements and generous leave allowances (33 day per year pro rata), as well as flexible working, to help you achieve a work-life balance that works for you and us.
You will have access to a range of benefits including discounts on shopping vouchers, cycle to work scheme, and childcare vouchers. You can also join the Civil Service Sport club which offer discounts on a range of sports and leisure opportunities as well as social events.
Natural England is a fantastic place to work, where difference is celebrated.
We’re committed to fairness and equality for all, so you feel valued for who you are and what you do. Our shared values help us work together to benefit the communities we serve. Our thriving employee-led diversity networks support our inclusive culture and contribute to our Diversity Action Plan.
Locations
Natural England is adopting hybrid working – which means our staff work from a flexible range of locations, encompassing home, offices (ours and our partners) and relevant sites. All new staff will be formally linked to one of our 25 offices across England and the expectation is that all new staff will be able to access their local office to be part of the community of staff in their geographical area. Full time staff are expected to attend their associated office for a minimum of one day a week.
Staff members are required to carry out all their duties working in this way and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time. Travel expenses will be paid if work related travel is required but does not apply to travel between home and your associated office.
National team roles can be linked with any Natural England office while Area Team roles will be linked with an office in the relevant geographic area.
View a map of our office locations here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-england-office-locations
Pay
It is Natural England policy to employ at the entry point of the salary range., Alongside your salary of £30,850, Natural England contributes £8,937 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%