Community Woodlands Officer

Forest of Mercia CIC is part of the England Community Forest network and has a long track record of delivering successful environmental projects in Staffordshire and the West Midlands.

We use the natural environment to educate, improve health and wellbeing and encourage everyone to use the outdoors in a way that is right for them.

We are one of fifteen Community Forests that are delivering a major national tree planting programme. We are a small team and are looking for a person who is dynamic, motivated and committed to improving the environment in the local area.

We need an individual who is keenly committed to trees, tree planting and the environment. They will need to be able to work with a wide range of partners and plan, fund and deliver planting schemes across the area.

The post will be based at the Forest of Mercia CIC, Hilton Green, Essington. Work will be across South Staffordshire and the West Midlands.

Contract will run from April 2026 to April 2027. Continuation will be subject to funding.

National pension scheme with optional top up.

You will need to be a key holder for the site and some weekend, evening and bank holiday work may be required with time off in lieu.

Role Description:

• You will be working with the team to identify partners for tree planting then creating and delivering tree planting schemes of all sizes. Partners may be private or public sector landowners, schools, groups and individuals.
• You will be mapping sites on GIS and submitting them to the Forestry Commission for the public register and checking for Environmental Impact assessments.
• You will work with the team to check that Trees for Climate grant scheme conditions are being kept to and will administer the issue of grant offers, monitor site development and report on this.
• You will locate, plan, cost, and co-ordinate tree planting, development and establishment, and then the management at a variety of sites.
• You will carry out tree planting and woodland management work with volunteers of all ages, and contractors.
• You will train and supervise volunteers and other interested individuals to help with this work as part of the team or individually.
• You will develop long term management plans as required.
• You will need an understanding/working knowledge of risk assessments.
• You must be happy to work outside in all weather conditions.
• You may be asked to deputise for directors at meetings / events and carry out any other duties commensurate with the post.

Essential Criteria:

• A recognised qualification in English and Maths.
• A relevant degree or experience in tree planting and forestry.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience of GIS mapping systems especially for the creation of shapefiles and similar data sets.
• Experience of working with a wide variety of groups and individuals to find and develop tree planting schemes of all sizes.
• Be able to demonstrate project management skills, especially reporting and managing project funding.
• Be able to demonstrate tree planting schemes where you have had experience of finding, planning, costing, managing and doing tree planting on a variety of sites and locations.
• Be able to demonstrate the reasons for tree planting with individuals, schools, groups etc and show how you worked with teachers and pupils to deliver successful planting and maintenance.
• Be able to work with limited or no supervision on a variety of sites and schemes.
• Be able to share a strong knowledge of trees and woodland.
• To have a clean full driving licence and use of a vehicle.
• To behave in a professional manner at all times.

Desirable Criteria:

• Clear understanding of Forestry Commission processes and regulation of planting including Environmental impact assessments and the public register.
• Working knowledge of other available tree planting schemes.
• Knowledge of the South Staffs and West Midlands area.

We offer

• 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays.
• Company Mobile phone & laptop.
• A fantastic opportunity to help reduce the impact of climate change.

All offers will be made subject to a clear enhanced DBS check and a 6 month probationary period.

Any questions about this post please call David Knowles on 07525119169.

Previous applicants need not apply.