Apprentice Forest Craftsperson

Role overview

This apprenticeship is based at Low Dalby, Yorkshire and the Humber, YO18 7LT. You will join forest craftspeople and beat teams to build hands-on experience while working through a structured development programme. The role supports practical activities linked to creating, maintaining and harvesting forests within the UK timber industry, with training leading to the Level 3 Forest Craftsperson Apprenticeship.

Key duties

• Carry out forest estate management tasks such as vegetation control, timber measurement, fencing, planting, habitat improvement and protection of historic features.
• Assist with timber harvesting work.
• Help with recreation-related duties, including maintaining practical recreation facilities, checking tree safety and carrying out remedial works.
• Work closely as part of a small team and react promptly to unexpected tasks or requests from supervisors and managers.
• Perform manual work outdoors in all weather conditions across the forest environment.
• Take on a varied workload that spans several disciplines and requires you to work at pace.
• Undertake any other reasonable tasks asked of you by your line manager.

Training and development

You will be supported to gain the training and awards needed to complete the Level 3 Forest Craftsperson Apprenticeship.

Skills, experience and qualifications

To be considered, you should show evidence of working well outdoors and have an interest in countryside management, forestry, conservation or similar work. You should also be able to demonstrate strong people skills, a team-focused approach, and a willingness to learn new practical abilities through training, hands-on practice and guidance from colleagues.

A full UK driving licence is required.

You must also be a competent IT user with experience using Microsoft Office applications. Level 2 English and Maths would be desirable.

Salary and benefits

The annual salary is £24,492. Forestry Commission also contributes £7,095 towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. The employer contribution to the Civil Service pension is 28.97%.

• Role-specific learning and development support
• Flexible working options
• An inclusive workplace that values diversity
• Civil Service pension with employer contribution

Application and selection

You will need to submit a 200-word statement covering your relevant experience and career history, plus a personal statement of up to 500 words. Both parts will be used during the sift stage. Shortlisted candidates will be assessed through experience-based and behaviour-based interview questions.

The interview will assess experience, technical expertise, working together, and developing self and others.

Successful candidates will be required to complete a criminal record check, a baseline personnel security standard check, and a medical assessment.

If you need reasonable adjustments, you can contact fcrecruitmentteam@forestryengland.uk.

Nationality requirements

This role is open to UK nationals, nationals of the Republic of Ireland, Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK, eligible EU/Swiss/Norway/Iceland/Liechtenstein nationals and their qualifying family members with settled or pre-settled status or a valid application under the EU Settlement Scheme, individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply under EUSS on or before 31 December 2020, and Turkish nationals and certain family members who have gained the right to work in the Civil Service.

Public service and equality information

The post is not regulated by the Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service supports diversity and equal opportunities, including a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and a Redeployment Interview Scheme for eligible civil servants at risk of redundancy.

This vacancy is associated with the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. The Civil Service also welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction.

Artificial intelligence guidance

AI may be used to support an application, but every example and statement must be truthful, factually accurate and drawn directly from your own experience. Applications may be withdrawn, and internal candidates may face disciplinary action, if plagiarism or misrepresentation is found.

Further information

Once the role closes, the advert will no longer be available, so a copy may be worth saving for your records. For complaints about recruitment not handled in line with Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles, contact FCE at englandhr.services@forestryengland.uk.