We have an opportunity for a Woodland and Tree Officer to join the team at North Pennines National Landscape until 31 March 2025.We are looking for confident and experienced conservation professionals to help us meet some ambitious targets for tree establishment in the North Pennines National LandscapeWHAT IS INVOLVED?Heart of the Pennines Forest is a three-year project (2022-2025), a collaboration between the North Pennines National Landscape, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, and the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, which will establish the kinds of tree cover which are a good fit for our landscape and work alongside High Nature Value farming systems (small scale woodland planting and low-density wood pasture with scrub and scattered canopy trees). Also included in the project are a deer monitoring and control strategy and a small native upland tree nursery.You will be one of three Woodland and Tree Officers advising land managers on appropriate woodland creation, tree planting and natural regeneration schemes. You will help land managers with scheme design, sources of funding and contractors to meet our targets for tree and scrub establishment, and you will advise on the care or restructuring of existing plantations and woodlands.You will work collaboratively with government agencies, partner organisations, land managers and volunteers to safeguard and increase our woodland and tree natural capital for all the natural services it provides: nature recovery, carbon storage, pollution remediation, engagement with nature and natural flood management.Your work will be focussed on the County Durham area of the North Pennines National Landscape.We would like to encourage applications from as wide an audience as possible and so we may also be able to accommodate working hours outside of those stated above. Please state your preferred hours on your application form.We encourage you to contact Sarah Tooze, Nature Recovery Manager via email at to arrange an informal discussion about the role.WHAT WILL I NEED?Higher Diploma level (Level 5) in conservation, ecology, environmental management, forestry or a related subjectPlease refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria.HOW TO APPLYIn line with the County Council's Recruitment and Selection Policy, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Applications must be submitted on-line via the Northeast Jobs portal.Please use the ‘Person Specification’ section of your application form to demonstrate that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge.Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed.Permanent Durham County Council employees applying are required to seek approval, from their line manager, to guarantee the return to their substantive post at the expiry of the temporary post.Anyone currently listed on the Durham County Council Redeployment Register who is interested in being considered for this vacancy should contact Payroll and Employee Services onINTERVIEWSInterviews are scheduled to be held on Friday 7th June 2024.We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.If you have any support needs or require assistance when applying for this role, please contact the Payroll and Employee Services Team via email or telephone 03000 264469 / 264798 / 264764BENEFITS AND REWARDSWe can offer you a range of employee benefits including competitive salaries, a generous leave entitlement of up to 32 days, a government pension scheme and various flexible and hybrid working options (benefits are subject to individual Terms and Conditions).If you would like to know more, please follow this link:HYBRID WORKINGDurham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. This model is pro-rated for part time roles and arrangements are at managers discretion, alternatively you can work all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer.EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSIONWe are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise the value of difference, having a diverse talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services.As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and can provide support throughout the recruitment process, for more information please refer to the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion page on our website.PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION REGARDING YOUR APPLICATION FOR THIS POST WILL BE SENT TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS THAT YOU HAVE REGISTERED WITH NORTH EAST JOBS, INCLUDING YOUR INVITE TO INTERVIEW IF YOU ARE SHORTLISTED. PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL AFTER THE CLOSING DATE FOR NOTIFICATION FROM AS YOU WILL NOT BE NOTIFIED BY ANY OTHER MEANS. PLEASE ENSURE YOU CHECK YOUR JUNK MAIL.
