Job Description

Details

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Reference number

424795

Salary

28,255
GBP

Job grade

Other

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

FLS - Land Management

Type of role

Other

Working pattern

Full-time

Number of jobs available

2

Contents

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Location About the job Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Newton, Scotland, IV30 8XR

About the job

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Job summary

Forestry and Land Scotland

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is a Scottish Government agency with the important job of looking after something incredibly valuable to the people of Scotland and its visitors - Scotland's national forests and land, totalling 650,000ha, almost 9% of the total area of Scotland.



We're committed to supporting Scotland's climate change plan and increasing Scotland's 'natural capital' - in other words, the natural resources that support our economy, society and environment. We do this in a number of ways, from the vital timber supply that supports the forestry sector and many other areas of the economy, to inviting visitors to enjoy our woodlands and mountain bike trails, bolstering the wellbeing of our communities. We also facilitate responsible renewable energy generation, woodland creation, natural regeneration and wildlife management to enhance biodiversity too.



Forestry and Land Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government with 'public corporation' status and operates commercially. All our incomes are reinvested in the management of the national forests and land to the benefit of Scotland.

Plant and Seed Supply

FLS Plant and Seed Supply is a dedicated team of 30 people responsible for growing or sourcing the 25 million trees per year required for the forests and land managed by FLS. We do this from the only publicly owned tree nursery in Scotland, Newton Nursery, near Elgin.



Newton Nursery is currently benefiting from the biggest ever single investment carried out by FLS, including construction of a 12,000sqm glasshouse and installation of machinery providing capacity to grow up to 15 million bare-root trees, and 4 million cell-grown trees per year. This investment represents both an exciting and challenging time for the Plant and Seed Supply team; the new facilities will be a welcome upgrade, but maintaining a seamless supply of trees for our regional planting programmes whilst transitioning to entirely new ways of working will not be easy. Are you ready to join us and contribute to our success?



For more information on Newton Nursery follow this link: Newton Nursery - Forestry and Land Scotland



Recruitment for new roles created through this investment project will continue throughout 2024, please register for alerts on our recruitment portal to be notified of all future opportunities.

Job description

We're seeking enthusiastic individuals to join our team, where you'll have the opportunity to work hands on with the seedlings and contribute to the growth of Scotland's forests of the future. The role involves a variety of tasks, both indoors and outdoors throughout all seasons, some tasks may be physically demanding and may require weekend work or long days so you'll need to be passionate about what we do.



As a Nursery Operative, you will be at the front line of growing our valuable seed into healthy trees. Activities will include seed processing, sowing, weeding and plant care, pest & disease monitoring, irrigation and spraying operations before finally sorting the trees into size and category, packing, and dispatching them to our customers. We don't expect you to be an expert in all of these tasks already, but you must be willing to learn.



The ideal candidate will enjoy working as part of team and have a positive 'can-do' approach, have good attention to detail and speed, be happy working in varying conditions, and have an interest in horticulture and trees.



All of our nursery team are expected to be role models in relation to health and safety, plant health, quality, and biosecurity, so you will need to demonstrate high standard and attention to detail in these areas.

Person specification

Experience


Essential:

Experience of working outdoors in changeable conditions. Experience of working successfully, both alone and as part of a team. Experience of overcoming challenges and solving problems. Experience of communicating clearly with colleagues.


Desirable:

Experience in agricultural, horticultural or forestry related work. Experience in general maintenance of agricultural or horticultural equipment. Experience in biosecurity controls and plant health in nursery production.


Technical


Desirable:

Training certificates for ride on forklift and/or pedestrian forklift operations. Technical knowledge and experience of applying Health and Safety in the work environment. Familiar with using computers and have basic skills in Microsoft Word, emails and using hand held device.

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

Please see our recruitment portal for further details.



Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:


UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.



We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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Contact point for applicants

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Job contact :

Name : Craig French Email : craig.french@forestryandland.gov.scot
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Recruitment team

* Email : resourcing@forestryandland.gov.scot