Natural Infrastructure Officer

Plymouth City Council, National Trust and partners are looking for an ambitious and energetic Project Officer to support the development and delivery of a ground-breaking community initiative: Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest.

This post is funded until March 2025 through DEFRA’s Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund (WCAF). It is one of three WCAF posts being advertised by Plymouth City Council and Devon County Council concurrently.

You will be employed by Plymouth City Council.

We are looking for an ambitious and energetic Project Officer with demonstrable experience in woodland creation/design and/or forestry management, to support the development of a ground-breaking community initiative: the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest.

The purpose of this role will be to facilitate the planning and delivery of the first phase of this project, which will bring community and nature together as part of an exciting new venture across South Hams, West Devon, Dartmoor National Park and the City of Plymouth. You will be working with partners to inspire local people, to enable them to participate and grow this hugely important new community asset.

Your experience in woodland creation and forestry will enable you to assist with the delivery of UK Forestry Standard compliant woodland creation schemes, working with private landowners, community groups, and various other stakeholders to deliver over 500 hectares of new woodland planting across South Devon and Dartmoor up to March 2025.

You will be a proud ambassador for the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest and will engage local communities and support the project partnership formed to deliver this exciting project.

About the project

The vision for Plymouth & South Devon Community Forest (PSDCF) is to deliver multiple benefits to the city and beyond, including the wellbeing of communities, the economy and the environment. This new community forest is one of three new initiatives approved by the Trees for Climate Fund as part of the Government’s plan to tackle climate change. The Forest will also help Plymouth City Council deliver our ambitious Climate Emergency Action Plan, the city’s Growth agenda and the objectives of our strategic plans including the Joint Local Plan and strategic work with Devon County Council and partners.

The Community Forest has the potential to create an additional 1600 hectares of new, improved and better-connected habitat with new access, enterprise and employment opportunities. The Community Forest is a partnership project between PCC, South Hams and West Devon Council, National Trust and Woodland Trust with a strong and broad advisory group.

It will develop a unique governance and business model to ensure sustainable delivery and social and environmental value for local communities.

What you’ll be doing:

• Supporting the development of an ambitious tree planting programme, facilitating the delivery of a programme of work across the Community Forest – with a focus on South Hams, West Devon, and Dartmoor National Park – including woodland creation, rewilding and nature conservation/restoration, access and interpretation.

• Engaging people: Working directly with landowners and key stakeholders to support the design of new woodland, and establishing the Community Forest as being led by, and inclusive of, young people and the local community

• Project planning and implementation: Facilitating communications and operational planning to enable communities, individuals, and project partners to benefit from full engagement with the Community Forest’s activities throughout the project life cycle.

• Trees for Climate fund administration: Ensuring that all monitoring and reporting requirements of DEFRA’s Trees for Climate fund are met in a timely fashion, with new woodland schemes compliant to UK Forestry Standards.

• Working as one of three WCAF-funded officers, with your two WCAF colleagues employed by Devon County Council. 

You will work together with WCAF colleagues to ensure a joined-up approach to woodland creation across Devon, whilst contributing to strategy development through March 2025.

Who we are looking for:

 You will be passionate about the delivery of new woodland creation, and communities having access to greenspace, nature and wildlife. We are looking for people who see opportunities by working in partnership, and are able to overcome barriers to working differently. You will be keen to work proactively within a team, learn as you go and work in ways that haven’t been tried before.

We are looking for people who are strong communicators and team players and people who have relevant experience in woodland creation/design and forestry. You will be confident working in groups under challenging conditions, passionate about inspiring young people, and keen to find ways to create nature advocates in local communities.

You’ll need to:

• Be responsible for supporting the delivery of the Community Forest programme, with a focus on delivery and engagement across South Hams, West Devon and Dartmoor • Have demonstrable experience working within a woodland creation and/or forestry setting

• Demonstrate a passion for nature and the outdoors

• Be able to work within a team to engage with community groups and enable them to shape their local greenspaces

• Have experience of working in partnership and with diverse stakeholder groups

• Be able to collaborate within a diverse team to deliver community engagement activity

• Be able to ensure you work safely, with risk assessments and compliance with safety procedures

This role is suitable for flexible working subject to the needs of the service.

Plymouth City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation.     

As part of our commitment to promoting equality we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, have been in Plymouth City Council care or are an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.

* This vacancy may be available as a secondment opportunity for internal Plymouth City Council employees please refer to the internal jobs page for further information before applying.

For more information or an informal discussion, please contact Peter Hawking-Sach on peter.hawking-sach@plymouth.gov.uk   

Apply here

Closing date: Tuesday 7 February 2023