Job title: Arboricultural Officer
Salary: SO2 £37,280 – £39,152
Hours: 37
Contract: Full Time
Location: Farnley Hall (Farnley) / Hybrid
The [Urban] Forest team are looking for an experienced, organised individual with a professional background in the management of trees, forests or woodlands, to assist in implementation of high-quality technical arboriculture services across the city.
As an Arboricultural Officer working in our Climate, Energy and Green Spaces service, you will be conducting regular inspections of trees and specifying works in line with the Leeds City Council tree management guidelines Council owned trees | Leeds.gov.uk.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As an Arboricultural officer you will bring to the role:
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A passion for arboriculture, woodland management and forestry with an enthusiasm to deliver results.
- Ability work as part of a team of arboricultural specialists delivering sound arboricultural advice and tree risk management to a variety of stakeholders.
- Drive, energy, resilience and self-management skills as well as integrity, openness and awareness of others in delivering the service.
- Ability to find and implement creative and innovative solutions to help improve service delivery.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and negotiate to form positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
- The ability to access all required locations across the city.
About the role
The role involves regular inspection of trees, the specification of works in line with the council’s tree management guidelines and organising and issuing work to our internal operational teams and external contractors. You will be providing support in managing Leeds City Council (LCC) trees for a range of stakeholders to meet the council’s duty of care and comply with efficient and safe practices.
Good communication skills are essential for this role as you will be manging and respond to enquires from members of the public, other areas of the council, elected representatives and external organisations. The role requires a self-disciplined outlook as you manage your own workload and inspections in line with our tree risk assessment methodology and tree management policy.
Experience of working with tree management systems is ideal but training can be provided. A good knowledge of Microsoft Office packages is essential.
Great potential for career development in an essential green service with opportunity for multi-disciplinary work and further career development.
A full, clean driving licence is essential, to enable the post holder to travel independently to various sites as required to conduct inspections as well as supervise and transport staff.
The role also includes working with the team as part of a tree related emergency response system; attending incidents and clearing issues in conjunction with internal operatives or external contractors. This may include some working outside of normal working hours (including weekends) and during storms/adverse weather events. Chainsaw qualifications and experience are desirable but not essential.
The post may be based at any point within the Leeds City boundaries.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
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A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
- Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
- A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
- A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.
How to apply
Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.
Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the roles please contact Andrew McPhaden, Senior Arboricultural Officer, on 0113 535 2087 or email
[email protected] or Jane Crowther, Forestry Manager, on 0113 378 8186 or email
[email protected].
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
Job Purpose: To assist in the delivery of arboricultural services across Leeds City Council (LCC). Providing support in managing LCC trees for a range of stakeholders to meet the council’s duty of care and comply with efficient and safe practices.
Responsibilities:
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Undertake a range of tree surveys, record data, monitor, specify works and provide cost estimates and quotes including bills of quantity and reports as required.
- Investigate and assess a range of enquiries and complaints and recommend appropriate outcomes.
- Produce plans and tree reports for external clients.
- Support relevant managers in managing and improving services including producing and implementing management plans, strategies, and improving information and management systems.
- Assist in the promotion of a greater understanding of arboriculture and the benefits of sustainable tree care, including training others.
- Liaise and develop good client relationships with internal and external clients.
- Assist with the development of tree management delivery plan.
- Produce, where applicable (and in collaboration with colleagues) zonal target plans for identified sites across LCC.
- Take a role in Ash Dieback surveying and monitoring across Leeds and assist with the production of the Ash Dieback plan. Identifying Ash trees which might be appropriate for different management techniques.
- Work with a diverse range of stakeholders, internal and external, to facilitate an understanding of sustainable tree management.
- Deliver training on arboricultural matters.
- Actively participate in the ‘out of hours’ emergency call out service throughout the year.
- Occasional weekend work with voluntary groups.
- Undertake effective consultation mechanisms to develop the work of the service.
- Compile and provide performance information that is accurate and timely as required.
- Fulfil duties in line with the Parks and The Green Space Strategy and related strategies and service objectives and in support of the aims of the Leeds Strategic Plan and Council Business Plan.
- Ensure the procurement of goods and services is in accordance with financial regulations, corporate policy and legal requirements.
- Financial instructions; procurement and commissioning.
- Work in accordance with Leeds core values.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
- Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
- Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
- Be aware of and comply with LCC policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equal opportunities of LCC.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
- The council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
- The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
- Contribute towards delivery of the tree management plan
- Assist with the development of the Ash Dieback Action Plan and Leeds tree strategy, produce guidance notes, public information and assist with development of related procedures and policies
- Produce and audit reports including those for insurance in accordance with approved procedures.
- Contribute and respond to general enquiries including data analysis queries for example; FOI’s and EFOI’s regarding trees and their management across Leeds.
- Production of specifications for providing technical services.
- Production of works orders, plans and associated tenders, monitoring and management of associated works contracts.
- Represent the Forestry team and Climate, Energy and Green spaces service at all appropriate internal and external meetings.
Qualifications: Level 4/5 qualification in arboriculture or willing to work towards these is essential. Appropriate qualification in Arboriculture/Forestry/Woodland Management, Environmental Science, and/or Plant/Earth Science related subject, including but not limited to; Geography, Horticulture or equivalent experience is essential. Membership of a relevant professional body/possession of relevant professional qualification, NPTC Units CS30/31,32, 33,34, NPTC Units CS 35/36/38, Qualifications in Urban Forestry or Pure Forestry are desirable. A full, clean driving licence to enable to the postholder to travel independently to remote sites.
Personal Specification
Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview and Certificate.
Essential Requirements
It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements
Skills Required
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Effective written and oral communication skills including delivery of presentations and practical demonstrations to a wide range of stakeholders.
- Able to analyse data and produce effective reports and presentations.
- Able to demonstrate good ICT skills (e.g. e-mail, spreadsheets, database).
- Able to keep accurate records.
- Able to work as part of a team and on own initiative.
- Able to manage and deliver projects to agreed timescales quality and budget.
- Able to interpret maps and relevant technical plans.
- Able to access remote sites.
Knowledge Required
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Understanding of GIS and an ability to make effective use of computer systems including Microsoft Office and databases.
- Understanding of town and country planning legislation, including works to protected trees.
- Understanding of responsibilities in terms of health and safety, security, confidentiality and data protection,
- Good technical understanding of legislation around trees including; Highways Act s154, Miscellaneous Provisions Act, Occupiers Liability Act 1957 & 1984, Forestry Act and Common Law.
- Professional Tree Inspection (PTI) or equivalent awarding body qualification.
- Level 5 Arboricultural Qualification.
Experience Required
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In a related post.
- Of tree/woodland management.
- Of working with volunteers and community groups.
- Of working in an urban countryside and green space environment.
- Of public speaking and giving presentations.
- Of managing projects or woodland management, survey and field work.
- Of tree and/or habitat management.
- Of using computer packages, particularly Microsoft Office and GIS.
- Of organising work using in-house operations staff or contractors.
- Of working in an urban countryside and greenspace environment.
- Experience in production and implementation of management plans.
- Experience of working with volunteers and community groups.
- Experience of peace and emergency planning situations, specifically named storm events and both incident triage on site and back-office resource management.
- Experience of creation, management and monitoring of works orders/works batches for large scale sites with related management of internal and external contractors.
- Experience of varying tree surveys for external clients including; condition surveys, aerial inspections, BS5837:2012 surveys, Management of Veteran trees.
Essential behavioural and other characteristics
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council values and behaviours and codes of conduct
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Leeds Ambitions of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, thriving strong communities, and a resilient sustainable city
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures
- Carry out duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
- Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality and diversity of Leeds City Council
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters
Desirable Requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.
Knowledge Required
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Good geographical knowledge of Leeds.
- Good understanding of the role of other ecological/environmental organisations.
- Of Familiarity of major habitat/vegetation types and appreciation of the issues concerning their conservation.
- Of current grant funding processes.
- Of planning processes.
Experience Required
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Of dealing with distressed and angry customers in a constructive manner.
- Of customer care.
