Student Arborist Recruitment - Westonbirt Arboretum

12-month work-based student placement with the Westonbirt Arboretum Tree Team.

Background Information

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum is one of the world’s finest botanical collections of trees and shrubs.  With approx. 2,700 taxa and 15,000 specimens growing within 253ha of a beautifully designed and picturesque landscape.  Westonbirt is a Grade One registered historic park and garden, and Level Four ArbNet accredited arboretum, it is home to over 140 champion trees, and holds five Plant Heritage National Collections.  Originally created in the heyday of Victorian plant hunting during the mid-19th century, the Arboretum was first established in 1829 by Robert Staynor Holford and further expanded by his son Sir George Holford.  Fascinated by rare and beautiful plants, the Holford’s helped finance expeditions to collect woody plant specimens from around the temperate world.

Since 1956 the Arboretum has been managed by the Forestry Commission, now Forestry England, with a modern mission 'To connect people with trees to improve the quality of life'.  This is achieved through a wide range of objectives that cover science, learning, community participation, volunteering and recreation.  The Arboretum attracts over 550,000 visits per year, which makes it the largest pay to enter attraction in Gloucestershire, and it generates an estimated contribution to the local economy of over £23 million.

The Arboretum has 40 Forestry England staff and approx. 290 volunteers.  It is supported by The Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum, a membership and fundraising charity with over 38,000 members.  There are also several business partners on site, including catering, retail, a wood-working centre, and woodland coppicers.

Our 10-year vision is entitled ‘Our Place in a Changing World’ and can be found here: https://www.forestryengland.uk/Westonbirt/10-year-vision

Purpose of the Role

To help our dedicated Tree Team manage the specimen trees and shrubs within the living collection, as well as the historic ‘picturesque’ landscape.  To help maintain and develop the Arboretum for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Key Work Areas

• Arboricultural operations as part of a team - tree and shrub planting, establishment checks, pruning, dead-wooding, wood-chipping, stump-grinding, mulching, tree protection, accurate recording of information and mapping.

• Practical use of a wide range of chainsaws, tools, equipment, machinery and vehicles.

• Assist with care of young and wild collected plants within our propagation unit.

• General grounds maintenance – sward management, grass mowing, herbicide application.

• Careful adherence to written work programmes and accurate recording with the use of tablets.

• Respond to any public enquires in a professional and helpful way.

Person Specification

Experience

You will demonstrate a strong interest in trees and shrubs, and a willingness to learn skills from other members of the team.  You will also have attained NPTC or LANTRA certificates in chainsaw maintenance, cross-cutting and felling of small trees, as well as experience of other relevant machinery operation.

Professional and Technical Expertise

You will either be studying or have already attained a relevant qualification in arboriculture, forestry, horticulture or countryside management.

Competencies and Behaviours

Working with Other People

• Seek to build good working relationships and work well as part of a team.
• Be adaptable and show flexibility within the team.

Communication

• Grasp key points when dealing with oral and written instructions.
• Listen actively and ask questions to check understanding.

Learn and Apply

• Be keen to learn and develop knowledge.
• Using your initiative and put forward suggestions for change where possible.

Deliver Results

• Work without prompting and progress tasks as instructed.
• Show drive and enthusiasm, and not become distracted or put-off by minor problems or setbacks.

Other

This role requires you to hold and continue to hold a full and current driving licence.

Applications

Please send your CV by email, together with an accompanying personal statement confirming the reasons for your interest to douglas.weale@forestryengland.uk by 29 February 2024.

Questions and enquiries can also be made to Doug via direct telephone number 0300 067 5039.