Forest Management Foreman (Biochar Team)

Job Title:                     Forest Management Foreman (Biochar Team)

Department:               Flora Conservation

Work Location:           KFBG

The Organisation

Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) is a nature conservation and education centre spread across 148 hectares of land on the northern slopes of Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong's tallest mountain. It lies in a valley, with a stream running through diverse subtropical forest. Scattered throughout, you can find theme gardens, greenhouses, vegetable and fruit terraces, walking trails, and public education displays about plants and animals, whilst the largest part of the estate is managed as a nature reserve.

Our team consists of educators, ecologists, botanists, zoologists, conservation officers, spatial analysts, veterinarians, geneticists, arborists, horticulturists, gardeners, animal keepers, farmers, communicators and marketers. Lessons learnt from hundreds of projects and initiatives are used to raise awareness, educate the public and catalyse behaviour change to protect nature and restore the environment.

With more than half of the century serving Hong Kong, KFBG has had an evolving focus and now strives to harmonise humanity’s relationship with nature through three core programmes: Nature Conservation, Holistic Education and Sustainable Living.

We are looking for a Forest Management Foreman (Biochar Team, Flora Conservation Department) who aligns with our vision and values, bringing a passion for woodland ecology to help make a difference through our forest restoration and wood recovery initiatives.

For more information, please see www.kfbg.org and www.greenhub.org.

Job Summary

We are looking for a motivated and passionate candidate for working outdoors to join our Biochar Team as a Forest Management Foreman. This role combines hands-on fieldwork with executing a wide variety of tree and forest management tasks, supporting projects including plant surveys, micro-climate monitoring. The Forest Management Foreman will work closely with the Arborist of the Biochar Team to prepare tender documents for tree management operations in order to improve tree health, enrich the ecological diversity of KFBG’s secondary forests, and optimise the sustainability of our wood recycling programme.

The post-holder should be physically fit and able to work outdoors for extended periods year-round, including on steep slopes at KFBG’s Forest Restoration Site and around the Biochar Facility and other backyard areas. Some of this may require rope access skills, following on-the-job training if necessary. Strong interpersonal skills are essential to facilitate cohesive team performance. The post-holder should have a passion for native woodland management and recognise the potential of nature-based solutions.

Major responsibilities

1.      Forest restoration fieldwork:

·        Conduct forest restoration tasks including but not limited to seed collection, weeding, tree planting, direct seeding, pruning and thinning of trees; and

·        Collect ecological data, record observations, ensure proper documentation of forest conditions.

2.      Wood recycling programme:

·       Assist Special Machinery Operators in operating and maintaining machinery including woodchipper, forklift truck, grab-mounted lorry and the Biochar Machine; and

·       Operate horticultural and arboricultural equipment such as hand saw, pole saw, secateur, and so on to facilitate the wood recycling work (for all of which on-job training can be provided).

3.      Equipment management:

·        Maintain the field tools and safety equipment on routine basis; and

·        Provide regular cleaning and maintenance of the horticultural and arboricultural equipment.

·        Arrange inspection, revalidation and replacement of grab lorry rigging equipment for wood debris recycling.

·        Arrange inspection and repair for the grab lorry, electric pallet truck and forklift truck.

4.      Coordination & communication:

·        Work with staff from different departments, contractors and local suppliers to facilitate project activities; and

·        Supervise contractors to perform their duties to the stipulated standard.

5.      Support the Biochar Team’s Arborist:

·        Assist the supervising Arborist in preparing tender documents for forest management projects (such as tree pruning and removal, aggressive weeds and invasive species management, and wood debris handling jobs), ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards.

6.      Other:

·        Participate in activities arranged by KFBG with the intention of developing organisational culture; and

·        Help tidy up the KFBG site after typhoons, heavy rainfall and other extreme weather events; and

·        Serve as a standby driver for Flora Conservation Department (if in possession of suitable driver’s license); and

·        Perform other duties as requested by management.

Requirements

·        Bachelor’s degree in forestry, ecology, environmental science, landscape management or a related field preferred.

·        Working experience in tree/landscape management preferred.

·        Working experience in supervising tree/landscape contractor preferred.

·        Passionate about forest ecology, native biodiversity and sustainable forest management.

·        Strong command of spoken and written Chinese and English.

·        Analytical mindset with attention to detail.

·        Physically fit for regular demanding outdoor tasks.

·        Valid Hong Kong driving license (class 1 and 2) preferred.

Application Method

Interested parties, please send your CV and cover letter (describing relevant work experience, reasons for interest in the post, expected salary and availability) to the People & Culture Department, Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden Corporation, Lam Kam Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong or via email at [email protected]