Trees and Landscape Officer
Planning Development
Permanent
37 Hours per week
NS12 £41,771.00 to £44,075.00 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We are recruiting an experienced and motivated Tree and Landscape Officer to provide specialist advice on tree, hedgerow and landscape matters across the district.
You will lead on landscape and tree-related planning matters, including TPOs, Conservation Area notifications, planning applications, appeals and enforcement cases, working with colleagues, applicants, developers, councillors and stakeholders.
The role will also support tree planting and greening ambitions, helping protect the natural environment and promote high-quality development.
We are looking for someone with:
- Strong experience in arboriculture, landscape management or a related field.
- Good knowledge of planning legislation for trees, hedgerows, Conservation Areas and TPOs.
- Experience in tree inspections, surveys, risk assessments and professional reporting.
- Clear communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
- Ability to negotiate effectively with applicants, developers and stakeholders.
- Strong organisation skills, with the ability to manage workloads and meet deadlines independently.
- A Level 4 qualification or above, such as HNC/HND in Arboriculture or equivalent.
- Confidence using Microsoft Office and relevant databases.
- Flexibility to travel across the district and attend occasional evening or weekend meetings.
This is a great opportunity to help protect and enhance the district’s trees, landscapes and natural environment.
We’re an ambitious, forward-thinking Council with strong values and a culture of doing our absolute best to serve our customers. We are proud of our organisational culture and receive positive feedback from our employees. We have a programme of internal activity to ensure that the voices of our employees are always heard and that they are kept informed on all Council activity and events. From roadshows to an annual award ceremony, from reviewing working arrangements to monthly craft sessions, it is incredibly important our employees are shown how valued they are and that they remain the beating heart of our workplace.
We offer:
- Enrolment in the career average local government pension scheme.
- Flexi scheme.
- Hybrid working.
- A generous annual leave entitlement that increases with service.
- Family-friendly benefits.
- One days’ paid volunteering leave per year.
- Lifestyle benefits platform.
- Funded health cash plan.
- Free car parking to 31 March 2028
- £10 a month gym membership at one of our gyms in the district.
You will be working with a professional, committed and experienced team who are passionate about supporting us to deliver the objectives as outlined in our Community Plan.
For an informal chat or more information, please contact Lee Robinson – Planning Technical Support Manager on 01636 655821 or Oliver Scott - Head of Planning Development on 01636 655847.
- Pay Award from 1 April 2026 still under negotiation.
As an employer we will promote an inclusive working environment to maintain and develop a forward thinking and diverse workforce.
Veterans/family of forces/ex-forces, those in care/care leavers, and candidates who declare disabilities (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) will be guaranteed interviews provided they have demonstrated that they meet the essential criteria of the post as detailed in the Person Specifications on their application forms.
We will not accept CVs from unsolicited recruitment agencies.
We recommend you submit your application early, as we often receive a large number of applications and therefore, we reserve the right to close the advert early
Closing Date: 31st August 2026
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a test and/or presentation on the day of their interview.
Interview: Week commencing 7th September 2026
