Job Description: Woodland Management & Membership Officer

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Post Title:Woodland Management & Membership Officer

Salary:£27,329 (3.5 days per week, pro rata)

Contract:Permanent

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Responsible to:Chief Executive Officer

Responsible for:Regional Coordinator(s)

Key Relationship:Small Woods Association members

Based at:Green Wood Centre, Coalbrookdale, Shropshire

Job Purpose:
1.To lead national work on woodland management;including networking, development of funding bids; support for development of Small Woods Association policies on a wide range of issues, representation; and
2. To coordinatewoodland management advice and activities for members, including events, training, regional coordinators & responding to members’ enquiries.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The post holder will be conversant with the range of issues related to multi-objective woodland management in Small Woods. Working directly to the Chief Executive:

  • You should be able to communicate to a high level on woodland management and ownership matters; providing reliable technical advice; as well aspromoting the voice of small woodland owners and SWA members positively and confidently.
  • You should be able to develop policy in consultation with members, SWA Board and staff; make presentations to a high level, and represent the association in relevant national meetings.
  • You will contribute to the strategic management of the organisation, as part of the SWA Management Team, as well as working with the CEO in reporting to the Board on woodland management and membership matters. You will also be responsible for project proposals in this area of work to sustain and expand the Association’s work.
  • You will be required to be a leading interface with members, representing the SWA at policy and networking events, as well as organising SWA presence at woodfairs and similar events. You will identify and support a network of regional or county co-ordinators, and work with them to grow local networks of members.

Based at the Green Wood Centre in Shropshire,you will work as part of a small, friendly team. Success in achieving growth in this area of work would be assessed regularly and significant increases in activity rewarded accordingly.

Specific responsibilities

Sustainable Woodland Management lead

  • Work with the Executive Director and Board to develop Small Woods’ policies on sustainable multi-functional woodland management issues.
  • To be the organisation’s main source of information, advice and guidance on practical issues relevant to the management and ownership of small woodlands, including issues involved in managing for biodiversity, social purposes and economic return,as well as management techniques and equipment,legal and planning issues.
  • To be the organisation’s main source of information, advice and guidance on climate change, ownership and management models,woodland certification
  • Provide advice and information on these matters to technical and general audiences
  • Develop and secure funding for projects that build on SWA’s reputation for practical multi-purpose woodland management
  • Represent SWA on policy and networking forums, attending events to represent SWA and meet members
  • Work with CEO to represent the SWA on forestry and woodland management networks

Membership services coordination

  • Improve and expand member services within the budget available, including the development of local networks, providing support and direction to regional co-ordinators , events, seminars and training to achieve SWA’s objectives of improving woodland management
  • Respond to SWA members’ queries on a range of woodland issues, including development and use of woodlands, management, insurance and wood products.
  • Ensure the SWA website is kept updated with a steady supply of good quality material and ensuring event notices
  • Maintain the members’ handbook and information leaflets; Ensure that membership package remains attractive. Scope out and plan additions and improvements; and obtain regular feedback
  • Work closely with the CEO to develop strategies to grow membership across the full range of those with an interest in small woodlands, including owners, managers, farmers, craft workers, social forestry and community woodland interests and corporate members
  • Support the CEO and work with the editor to ensure the Smallwoods magazine continues to reflect members’ interests and views, and remains fresh, chatty and interesting
  • Organise the annual conference and AGM of the Small Woods Association, working with the Boardand theCEO
  • Undertake other similar duties as appropriate

Person specification

Essential / Desirable
Experience / 5 years relevant practical woodland management or forestry experience in the private, voluntary or public sector.
Provision of woodland management advice.
Budget management or cost centre control.
Staff management. / Work experience in the charity or environmental sector
Commercial experience
Public/customerfacing experience, particularly in membership organisations
Knowledge / Understanding of the woodland sector, the role of small woodlands, their purpose and benefits to landscape, rural economy, biodiversity and society.
An understanding of sustainable woodland management in principle and practice.
Knowledge of policy forums operating at local regional and national levels. / A knowledge of funding mechanisms for woodland management
An understanding of membership strategies
Skills and abilities / Good technical knowledge regarding the ownership and management of small woodlands.
Project development and management.
Able to contribute to policy and technical discussions at all levels.
Good communication and diplomatic skills.
Ability to act as an advocate for small woods and effective ambassador for the organisation. / Good IT skills, particularly, Word, Excel
Proven ability in fund raising, through relevant projects
Qualifications / 5 GCSEs, including Maths and English
Forestry or Woodland Management post school qualification (i.e., degree or equivalent) or
5 years’ experience in an equivalent level to this post / Further Degree an advantage, e.g., Environmental Forestry MSc
Personal qualities / Motivated, confident, committed individual
Team player, able to inspire & motivate others
Able to work on own initiative with minimum supervision.
Able to operate at a senior level, e.g., competent communication to Board meetings and Board members
Approachable and comfortable with people / Understanding of and commitment to the principles of sustainability