Tree Planting Officer (PO1)

Who You Are

We are seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Tree Planting Officer with a background in arboriculture to join our Arboricultural team. You possess a relevant level 3 qualification in arboricultural management or equivalent industry experience, with strong expertise in tree planting, species selection, and asset management. Your ability to interpret and apply relevant legislation, codes of practice, and safety guidelines is crucial. You should be adept in writing and managing grant funding applications, sourcing funding opportunities, and demonstrating strong IT skills, particularly with Microsoft Office applications. Your role will require excellent communication skills for liaising with internal and external stakeholders, including the public, Council members, and third parties, to ensure effective dialogue and resolution of any issues. You are proactive, independent in decision-making, and can effectively supervise contractors and volunteer groups, ensuring safe working practices. Openness, respect, responsibility, and a collaborative spirit are key behavioral aspects you embody. Your role might involve physically demanding tasks, high-risk environments, and flexible working outside normal hours.

What the Job Involves

As a Tree Planting Officer, you will lead the organization and implementation of the tree planting program on corporate land such as highways, parks, housing, and leasehold farms. You will work collaboratively with the Watercourses team on Sustainable Drainage projects and be involved in large-scale planting projects. Your responsibilities include managing the tree planting programs, sourcing funding, ensuring compliance with best practices, and providing technical expertise across the Council. You will be accountable for site inspections, surveys, and the monitoring of program delivery. This role involves providing professional advice on technical and design aspects, financial management of projects with budgets up to £500,000 annually, submitting funding bids, and preparing reports and plans. You will work independently, coordinate with contractors to ensure high-quality service delivery, and manage multiple priorities, often within high-risk environments. You will have regular contact with various stakeholders including Council members, external consultants, and the public. The position demands flexibility in working hours and will require you to maintain effective records and compliance with health, safety, and information security policies.