Forester

The National Trust is seeking a Forester for its Cragside estate in Morpeth, UK. This hands-on role involves maintaining woodland and tree safety, delivering an exceptional visitor experience. Responsibilities include tree maintenance and wildlife conservation. Candidates should have practical woodland management experience and relevant NPTC qualifications. The position requires effective communication skills and a full UK driving licence. The role is not remote, as it involves on-site work in a popular visitor attraction.
Yours will be a key, hands-on role in helping to maintain excellent standards of presentation, woodland and tree safety management, and conservation in order 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 will provide the appropriate training, so you are, in time, competent in the following: tree safety inspections, med fell, assisted fell, and windblown timber CS39/204 using a chainsaw from a rope and harness, forestry machine operator units FMO 208, 209 (base unit and line skidder).

The working pattern is Sunday to Thursday, including Bank Holidays.

Internally you’ll be known as a Forester – Commercial Forestry Ops.

What It’s Like to Work Here

Cragside is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the Northeast, welcoming around 250,000 visitors every year. Located in stunning, rural Northumberland, 15 miles from the coast and only 30 miles from the vibrant city of Newcastle.

You’ll join a high-performing property team, experienced in a broad range of disciplines. Everyone works closely together to look after Cragside for our visitors – both present and future – to enjoy.

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.

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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

To deliver this role successfully, you’ll need to:
• Have 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.
• Hold NPTC tractor, PA1/PA6 spraying, NPTC chipper qualifications.
• Be able to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, contractors, and visitors.
• Be a driver with a full UK driving licence.
• Have 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).
• Be competent with machinery and equipment, including routine maintenance.
• Have a proven track record in health and safety and environmental compliance.

The Package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

Benefits include:
• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary.
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest, and your children (under 18).
• Rental deposit loan scheme.
• Season ticket loan.
• EV car lease scheme.
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, and cinema discounts.
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days, relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme (subject to meeting minimum criteria).
• Flexible working whenever possible.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Free parking at most Trust places.

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.