Forest Craftsperson

About the role

The Forest Craftsperson will join the East Devon beat team, supporting the beat forester in managing and shaping the forest landscape. Working from the Staple Fitzpaine office near Taunton, you will carry out practical operations, inspections and assist the Wild Neroche Project Officer with ecological restoration tasks.

Key responsibilities

• Support the beat forester with land‑management operations, including inspections and practical interventions.
• Assist the Wild Neroche Project, working with ancient and veteran trees, hand‑planting, installing tree guards and repairing fences.
• Carry out high pruning, cutting back, and felling activities while ensuring tree safety.
• Conduct tree safety inspections (LANTRA Basic Tree Survey certification) and manage forest user safety signage and fencing.
• Maintain estate infrastructure such as gates, barriers, roads, rides, rights of way and permissive paths.
• Perform risk assessments and adhere to FISA health‑and‑safety standards.
• Undertake timber mensuration, ecological surveys, recreation trail inspections and record operational data accurately.
• Support projects focused on wild areas and occasional woodland creation.

Required profile

• Strong commitment to health and safety, embodying a ‘look out and look after’ culture.
• Ability to work effectively on site and collaborate with colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Willingness to follow detailed work programmes and deliver tasks efficiently.

Required skills

• LANTRA Basic Tree Survey certification.
• Experience with tree pruning, felling and guard installation.
• Competence in conducting risk assessments using FISA guidelines.
• Knowledge of timber mensuration and ecological surveying techniques.