Job Introduction
We are Forestry England.
We live and breathe forests.
Job title – Propagator
Salary – £30,105 (pro rata)
Contract type – Fixed Term Appointment for 6 months
Hours – 21 hours per week
Vacancy closes – Monday 19th October 23:58
Join us. We're foresters, professionals and experts. We are a passionate team who love to share our enthusiasm and want to make a positive difference for you and the environment.
Together, we’re using our scale and expertise to grow the nation’s forests for everyone. We’re already adapting our landscapes for tomorrow, and getting stuff done today, like creating amazing places and experiences for you to enjoy. We're providing vital homes for wildlife, making our air cleaner to breathe and producing sustainable timber.
What you’ll do…
Westonbirt is home to one of the world's most significant tree collections and is recognised internationally for its work in tree conservation, scientific collaboration and public engagement. Working as part of the Westonbirt Tree Team and reporting to the Curator, the Propagator will be responsible for delivering propagation activities that support the long-term resilience and development of the living collection.
The Propagator will work alongside other nursery staff, focusing on the propagation and cultivation of tree species that support Westonbirt's collection development, conservation programmes and future planting requirements. The role will also support volunteer engagement, knowledge sharing and public understanding of tree conservation.
The role will contribute to maintaining the highest standards of nursery hygiene, plant health and biosecurity. It will help ensure that all propagated material entering and leaving the nursery is healthy and free from pests and pathogens.
The position is a part-time post working 21 hours per week. It is a fixed-term appointment for six months, with the possibility of extending, but with no guarantee of permanency.
Please see the job description below for more information and details about what we need from you.
Where you’ll work…
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, GL8 8QS.
Benefits…
Alongside your salary, Forestry England contributes an average of 28.97% towards your pension. You will become a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.
- 25 days holiday a year, raising by one day every year’s service, up to 30 days (pro-rated for part time employees) plus additional days off such as bank holidays.
- STaR is our employee benefits scheme offering discounts on everyday supermarket shopping, as well as other things such as hotel stays clothes, mobile phones, other electrical items, medical and car insurance, holidays, gym discounts, household bills, Headspace wellbeing app.
- free parking at Forestry England sites and free entry to our National Arboretums at Westonbirt and Bedgebury.
- a commitment to lifelong learning through career development. Forestry England will support your career development in a variety of ways, including continual professional development, support for individual learning plans and sponsored membership of professional bodies.
Read more about the benefits on the Forestry England website.
How to apply…
We cannot accept applications via email. Please follow the steps outlined below. Any CVs and/or personal statements sent outside the system will not be considered for shortlisting.
You will be asked to write a 200 word statement on your relevant experience and career history, along with a personal statement of no more than 500 words. You will be assessed on both during sifting. More details about how to apply are listed on the application form.
The Behaviours being assessed at interview are –
- Seeing the Bigger Picture
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
You may also be assessed on Experience, Strength based questions, and/or the Technical Success Profile at the interview. The technical element could include a presentation, practical or written task.
Successful candidates will undergo a criminal record check and the government baseline personnel security standard check.
If you require any reasonable adjustments, please email fcrecruitmentteam@forestryengland.uk.
If you're planning to use AI to support your application, please ensure you've read our guidelines here first.
Read more about our application process and working with us on the Forestry England website.
Nationality requirements…
Read more about nationality requirements here.
Working for the Civil Service…
Forestry England is part of the Civil Service. The Civil Service has a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS). This means candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria during the application process will be guaranteed an interview. We also offer a Redeployment Interview Scheme to current civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the role. This role is also part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans and Prison Leaver Recruitment initiative.
Within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to provide conversation in accurate spoken English.
Our recruitment process makes appointments based on fair and open competition and merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in in line with/according to these principles and you wish to make a complaint, please email: englandhr.services@forestryengland.uk.
