Stutterheim: Forester posted by Staff Solutions

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Forester to join our team at Stutterheim, where you will be responsible for managing the plantation operations, ensuring compliance with FSC standards, and implementing effective silviculture practices. With a strong focus on continuous improvement and a proactive approach to risk management, you will be instrumental in driving the success of our forestry operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct legal compliance inspections on all operations and activities
• Direct on-site inspections to ensure that staff and contractors follow proper safety procedures – FSC standards
• Manage the silviculture APO and related costs perimeters
• Fulfill the duties as contractor manager
• Assist the roads/transport manager with managing road and transport equipment when they are working on plantation
• Ensure maximum stocking within Silviculture standards is achieved
• Inspect operations regularly to identify risks and ensure that timeous action occurs (blanking, pest control management)
• Plan and conduct regular field inspections to ensure that crops, through the timing of operations (weed control, pest & disease management) achieve maximum yields within cost constraints
• Ensure that the plantation budget is managed effectively by ensuring expenditure target rands/hectare are achieved
• Adhere to, monitor and report back on compliance aspects such as safety, productivity, quality, environmental aspects and social performance and standards
• Ensure that company assets such as vehicles, buildings, villages, and company houses are maintained and managed effectively according to set standards (hygiene & legal compliance) and within budget constraints
• Direct involvement with Fire Management
• Motivate, mentor, and manage own team Supervisor in terms of technical aspects of Silviculture, Estate Management and Fire protection requirements of the job.

Requirements

• Must be in possession of a Matric Certificate/Grade 12
• Must be in possession of a Degree or Diploma in Forestry (National Diploma or BSc Degree)
• Must be in possession of a valid driver’s license
• Minimum of 5 years’ proven operational plantation management experience with exposure to silviculture, conservation, harvesting, fire protection and roads maintenance activities
• Previous experience as a Forester managing own operations will be an added advantage
• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Geographic Information Systems knowledge will be an advantage
• Firefighting experience essential – ICS300
• Willing to work as per operational requirements and perform firefighting standby duties as and when required
• Knowledge of contractor management an added advantage
• Must have financial administration knowledge and skills
• Experience in stakeholder relations
• Ability to communicate in Xhosa will be an added advantage.

Qualifications

• Completed Matric Certificate/Grade 12

Salary & Benefits