Woodland Development Officer

About Us

Applecross Community Company (ACC) is an award-winning community development trust operating on the Applecross peninsula, in the northwest Highlands. A charity and company limited by guarantee, we have been delivering community-led sustainable development on the peninsula since 2008 through the management of community owned land and assets.

ACC is seeking a 0.85 FTE Woodland Development Officer to manage the Coille Coimhearsnachd na Comraich | Applecross Community Woodland Project.

This project was established in 2019 to collectively own and manage the 14.5-hectare site of Coille a’ Thorra Ghairbh (Torgarve Woods), enabling the community to restore the former plantation into a thriving native woodland for the benefit of local residents and visitors. The project is half-way through a four-year development period, 'Restoring the Living Heritage of Coille a’ Thorra Ghairbh’, which is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with additional grant aid from Scottish Forestry and Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

The main objectives of the project are to:

• Restore native woodland through natural regeneration and by enrichment planting of native broadleaf and Scots pine trees, many grown from local provenance seed in our community nursery.
• Promote our cultural and natural heritage by managing the archaeological features of the site, designing Gaelic-led interpretation, and sharing a programme of events and digital resources.
• Increase biodiversity through habitat creation and enhancement including wetland, wildflower meadow, and native woodland to benefit and attract native flora, fauna, and fungi.
• Benefit people with increased recreational amenities, improved access, and a programme of events that promote physical, social, and mental wellbeing including green skills and specialist crafts training, outdoor learning and play, and volunteer sessions.

The role

As a member of the small staff team at the Applecross Community Company you will be responsible for delivering the remaining two years of the 'Restoring the Living Heritage of Coille a’ Thorra Ghairbh’ project. This is a diverse role which combines desk-based project management with on-the-ground development of the woodland and infrastructure, and in-person community engagement and volunteer activities. This role involves working with the Applecross community, the Community Woodland Steering Group, ACC Board of Directors and staff, Applecross Primary School and Nursery, the Applecross Historical Society and wider stakeholders and funders. Together you will deliver a ground-breaking community-led project that restores natural and Gaelic cultural heritage on the peninsula.

Further information about the specific roles and responsibilities of this position are available below.

About you

To be considered for this role, you will need to:

• Be organised, self-motivated and driven
• Be able to demonstrate competency in managing projects (environmental, forestry or community development), including activities, risk assessments, timeframes and finances
• Be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate, connect and collaborate with, and motivate others
• Have experience of working in a rural community setting, including working with volunteers and organising and delivering community events
• Be passionate about community-led approaches to restoring natural heritage and promoting Gaelic cultural heritage
• Be computer literate and familiar with managing social media accounts

Applecross Community Company is an inclusive employer that is committed to creating a culture of diversity and an inclusive workplace that promotes and values equal opportunities for all. We are a Fair Work employer and welcome individuals from all networks of life, backgrounds, and experiences.

Interviews for this role will be held during the week starting 22nd September.