Research Worker

Job summary

Part of the Forestry Commission family, Forest Research is a world leader in applied forest science, providing evidence and practical solutions to policy makers, forestry practitioners, land managers and anyone with green space, UK-wide. With climate and biodiversity in crisis, and an increasing number of pests and diseases, our research is more vital than ever before. We advise on how woodlands can help combat climate change. We’re identifying tree species that will thrive in the future and ways of safeguarding those species at risk. Our research supports UK timber production because fewer imports reduce carbon emissions. We provide data on forests in Scotland, Wales and England, and provide evidence of the societal benefits of woodland. We do all this working collaboratively with academia, partners and industry, nationally and internationally.

This role sits within the Field Data Services (FDS) team, which operates field stations across England, Wales and Scotland. These stations are staffed by small, dedicated teams that provide technical support for a wide range of Forest Research fieldwork activities.
Working closely with scientific colleagues, FDS teams use their technical expertise to help plan and deliver field projects safely, efficiently and to a high standard. In addition to supporting Forest Research programmes, teams undertake work on behalf of external clients, including the Forestry Commission (FC) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW). They also act as a local point of contact between Forest Research, government agencies, partner organisations and private woodland owners and managers.
The work is varied and rewarding, with no two days the same. Activities include environmental and forestry surveys, field data collection, GIS mapping, surveying using high-precision Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), sample collection, the establishment and maintenance of field experiments including planting, vegetation control and fencing.

The Talybont Field Team are based near Brecon, in the only Forest Research field station in Wales. From this location, the team delivers fieldwork across Wales and parts of the West of England. The team shares office facilities with colleagues from Natural Resources Wales and works closely with them on a range of projects.
The successful candidate will join a highly skilled and supportive team and will also have opportunities to assist the wider FDS network, contributing to fieldwork projects across Great Britain when required.

Job description

You will work as part of a small team of Forest Research Workers based at Talybont Research Station, carrying out a wide range of environmental, plant health, and forestry surveys. The role also involves establishing, maintaining, and assessing field experiments, as well as conducting experimental fieldwork such as collecting samples using a variety of techniques. In addition, you will assist with the management of contractors and the auditing of their work.
The position includes undertaking maintenance activities, including pesticide applications and the operation of power tools. You will work closely with both internal and external partners across a wide geographical area, requiring flexibility to travel regularly, stay away overnight when necessary, and adapt to varying work patterns.

Person specification

The successful candidate will demonstrate a high level of attention to detail and a commitment to producing work of a consistently high standard. They will be well organised, capable of managing competing priorities, and able to complete tasks accurately and efficiently. They will have a good understanding of health and safety principles, including risk assessments, safe systems of work, and environmental risk assessments, and will be committed to maintaining and promoting high standards of health, safety and environmental protection.

The successful candidate will be an effective communicator, able to build positive working relationships with colleagues, contractors, stakeholders and members of the public. They will work well as part of a team while also being confident and self-motivated when working independently. They will demonstrate a flexible, reliable and proactive approach to work, with a willingness to travel extensively, stay away from home overnight when required, and adapt working patterns to meet operational needs while working across a wide geographical area.

Essential Criteria:

• Demonstrable experience working outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Demonstrable experience in forest and woodland management.
• Literacy Level 2 qualification or equivalent experience (e.g. GCSE, NVQ, Key Skills, Welsh Baccalaureate Intermediate, Scottish National Certificate Level 5).
• Numeracy Level 2 qualification or equivalent experience (e.g. GCSE, NVQ, Key Skills, Welsh Baccalaureate Intermediate, Scottish National Certificate Level 5).
• Demonstrable experience of working safely whilst undertaking forestry operations, including the competent use of Forestry Industry Safety Accord (FISA) guidance and forestry best practice.
• Competent IT user with experience of Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrable ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrable ability to plan and prioritise work, make sound decisions, and solve problems effectively

Applicants must be willing to travel frequently, stay away from home overnight, and work flexibly across a wide geographical area in line with operational requirements

Desirable Criteria:

The below criteria are desirable only. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates.

• Experience in the safe handling and application of pesticides, including the use of knapsack sprayers.
• Experience operating vegetation management equipment such as strimmers, brush cutters and clearing saws for mechanical weeding and site maintenance.
• Experience using chainsaws in accordance with relevant health and safety requirements and industry best practice.
• Experience operating small tractors and associated equipment, including flails and mowers for vegetation management and inter-row mowing.
• Experience using Esri Geographic Information System (GIS) applications for data collection, mapping and analysis.
• Experience driving four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles in a range of terrain and field conditions.
• Experience towing trailers and undertaking associated vehicle and load safety checks.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,105, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £8,721 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Your career

Excellent professional development opportunities which are tailored to your role, with paid professional membership subscriptions, mentoring, and Civil Service Learning available to all
access to world class laboratory facilities, as well as state of the art buildings within forest or science park settings

Your work/life balance

flexible working options such as: up to two days flexi leave per month, blended working, part-time working, paid special leave, career breaks, and unpaid leave. Parents and carers will be supported to enable you to manage work and family responsibilities
A generous annual le