Tree and Woodland Officer

Tree and Woodland Officer

The Forest of Avon is an independent charity and one of England’s network of Community Forests. We
deliver the region’s leading tree planting programme, ‘Trees for Climate’, offer a diverse range of health and
wellbeing outreach sessions and provide woodland management throughout the region. We are increasing
our  woodland  creation  team  which  distributes  the  Trees  for  Climate  grant  and  are  seeking  a  Tree  and
Woodland Officer to join our team.

We  are  looking  for  a  committed  individual  to  plan,  design,  cost  and  deliver  woodland  creation  and  tree
planting projects across the region, working with local councils, communities and charity partners. Through
this work, you can help bring the woodland creation goals of the Forest of Avon Plan to fruition.

Are you knowledgeable about tree planting? Experienced in bringing projects to life? Keen to play your part
in our region’s fight against the ecological and climate crises? If so, this could be the ideal role for you.

Key Details

Permanent contract, to start as soon as possible.

•  Salary £32,630 - £36,759 per annum
•  Full Time Role (37.5 hours)
•  Flexible working hours
•  25 days holiday plus bank holidays
•  Main office based at St Pauls, Bristol, with some homeworking optional and attending frequent

meetings and site visits in the Forest of Avon area

•  Employee Pension Scheme with 7% employer contribution
•  Opportunity to join a dedicated friendly team and influence tree planting nationally through the

Community Forest Network.

Deadline for applications: 13th April 2026

Please see below for how to apply.

Job Description

This role will work towards delivering the woodland creation and tree planting aims of the Forest of Avon
Plan. Specifically, your role will be to deliver a caseload of tree planting projects using the Trees for Climate
grant. This is an opportunity to lead on designing, costing and delivering tree planting projects using planting
styles including woodland, wood pasture, traditional orchard, natural colonisation and hedgerows.

Tasks will include:

•  Identifying, advising on, designing, planning, costing and coordinating tree planting projects

at a range of sites.

•  Managing  a  caseload  of  grant-funded  planting  projects  with  competing  deadlines,  keeping
grant  applicants  informed,  meeting  deadlines  and  maintaining  an  organised  pipeline  of
projects.

•  Providing tree planting, establishment and grant advice to a range of landowners including
Local  Authorities,  private  landowners  and  community  groups,  offering  a  professional,
friendly and accessible service.

•  Progressing  projects  through  the  relevant  regulatory  processes  ensuring  the  historic

environment, existing ecology and habitats are protected.

•  Feeding information into regular reporting on planting projects and metrics.
•  Supporting and/or leading seasonal tree planting volunteer days.
•  Supporting and promoting the Forest of Avon Plan, and its actions and goals.

You would  be  working as part of  the Forest of  Avon's Woodland  Creation  team,  including a Woodland
Creation Manager and three other Tree and Woodland Officers.

Essential Criteria

•  A practical knowledge of trees and woodlands
•  Good  knowledge  of  the  maintenance  requirements  of  woodlands,  orchards,  specimen  trees  and

hedgerows

•  Experience of managing a caseload of projects and keeping track of multiple competing deadlines
•  Ability to build and maintain partnerships with organisations and local stakeholders
•  Professional and friendly communication skills to keep grant applicants informed
•  Strong attention to detail including Health and Safety procedures, knowledge of risk assessments and

data protection

•  Ability to work independently without supervision, where required
•  Ability to work well within a team
•  Full driving licence and use of a vehicle (mileage paid)
•  A  professional  manner  when  representing  the  charity  and  willingness  to  promote  its  mission  and

values.

Desirable Criteria

•  Experience of overseeing grant funding and/or project finances
•  Experience of using QGIS or another GIS software and ability to produce clear, accurate maps
•  Experience of leading volunteers in conservation tasks
•  Good  knowledge  of  regulatory  processes  for  afforestation  including  Environmental  Impact

Assessments

•  Good knowledge of practical tree planting skills
•  Experience with working farms and knowledge of trees on farms
•  Experience of productive forestry practices, including timber markets
•  Knowledge of grassland species and habitat identification
•  Good knowledge of the Forest of Avon area.

How to Apply

We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, in particular candidates from communities and areas
in which The Forest of Avon Trust is engaged. We are pleased to be an equal opportunity employer, and
applications will be considered without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression,
sexual  orientation,  national  origin, genetics,  disability,  veteran  status  or age.  The  Forest of  Avon  Trust is
committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people and expects all members of staff
to share this commitment.

A Disclosure and Barring Service check may be required for this role.

Please send a CV and a written statement of your experience addressing the essential and desirable criteria
above to info@forestofavontrust.org by 13th April 2026. Interviews will take place on the 21st April 2026.
Applications will be anonymised prior to shortlisting.

Due to limited resources, we are unable to provide individual feedback to candidates who do not reach the
interview stage.

For  more  information  about  the  role,  please  contact  info@forestofavontrust.org  with  your  number  and
Lewis our Woodland Creation Manager will give you a call.

For more information on the Forest of Avon Trust, please go to: www.forestofavontrust.org.