Woodland & Countryside Advisor

Woodland & Countryside Advisor – Yorkshire Water

Location: Bradford (initially) moving to Leeds Valley Park in summer 2026; predominantly remote.

Employment type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Salary: £33,795 to £42,069

Benefits:

• Annual incentive related bonus (up to £1,000)
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution)
• Development opportunities in line with the Woodland and Countryside Advisor progression plan
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, and an extra wellness day
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary
• Health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover
• Retail savings scheme
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more

About the role

We have a unique opportunity for a Woodland and Countryside Advisor to support the Lead Woodland and Countryside Advisor here at Yorkshire Water. The role will manage the existing estate and deliver against business objectives and compliance.

Responsibilities and Key Skills

• Compliance, statutory plant health notice, tree safety across the woodland estate
• FSC certification, audit and compliance against UKWAS standards to retain accreditation
• Forest Plan, development of new forest plans and UKWAS management plans in-house, implementation and delivery against set objectives
• Stakeholder engagement, liaison, statutory body relationship management (e.g. Forestry Commission, Natural England, White Rose Forest, Local Authorities)
• AMP 8 delivery (e.g. WINEP projects development and delivery of capital projects, Net Zero PC develop projects, register carbon units for broader benefits)
• Partnership development – support projects such as Landscapes for Water, contributing to regional and national objectives (Nature Recovery plans, National Forest objectives)
• Income generation – seek grant opportunities, maximise commercial forestry operations, grant compliance, monitoring and compliance with grant conditions
• Net Zero performance commitment – contribute to company net zero targets via woodland creation projects
• Degree or equivalent in relevant subject (arboriculture or forestry related)
• Five years plus practical experience in forestry or arboriculture countryside/environmental management
• General specialist understanding of forestry, arboriculture, nature conservation, outdoor recreation and countryside issues
• Awareness of health and safety systems relevant to practical countryside work (risk assessments, FISA guides, lone working systems)
• Competent IT user with experience in MS Office suite
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, ability to work independently and as part of a team

Preferred – Further NPTC qualifications

Final date to receive applications:
End of January 2026. Interview dates to be announced shortly.

Pre-employment checks (Basic Disclosure Check, potential security vetting), medical questionnaire. Recruitment process is accessible and adjustments are available for disabilities or conditions. If you require adjustments, please include this information in your application.

We reserve the right to close this position early before the published closing date.