We are seeking a Tree Officer to join the Specialist Team in our Planning Service!
Medway Council recognises that the built and natural environment has a critical role to play in forming healthy sustainable communities, addressing climate change, and promoting biodiversity. Trees and woodland are essential elements of our climate change adaptation infrastructure and a core element of the biodiversity, amenity, and landscape of Medway.
We are seeking to appoint a Tree Officer to join our multi-disciplinary specialist team of Arboriculture, Landscape, Urban Design, Conservation, and Flood Officers within Medway’s planning service. Working alongside the Senior Tree Officer, you will play a key role in helping shape and deliver the council’s approach to managing and enhancing Medway’s Urban Forest, which is vital in creating a sustainable, attractive, welcoming, and distinctive place to live, work, learn and visit.
You will play a key role in assessing trees for statutory protection, reviewing existing tree preservation orders, processing tree work applications, responding to appeals and taking appropriate enforcement action where necessary.
Working with colleagues in the Specialist Team, you will also provide advice and guidance to planning officers, Councillors, and the public. If submitted, you will consider formal high hedge complaints.
You will be able to demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of modern arboricultural best practice and associated legislative and regulatory framework, as well as experience in the statutory protection of trees and in assessing the impact of development proposals on trees and vice versa.
We are looking for a positive, energetic, collaborative, and conscientious person, with excellent organisational skills, and a desire to solve problems to enable appropriate development to happen whilst delivering on the climate change agenda. You will have a passion for good customer service and be able to communicate clearly and effectively with colleagues, councillors, members of the public and the private sector.
You should have some relevant Local Authority experience in a similar role, and/or a degree or equivalent in Arboriculture. A Technician or Professional membership of the Arboricultural Association, and a good knowledge of GIS systems will be preferable and but not essential.
You will be expected to undertake unaccompanied site visits. Possession of a valid full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes is an essential requirement.
In return we offer you:
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Generous local government pension scheme package
- Access to wider training and development qualifications
- Flexible working scheme
- Travel plan discounts
- Car Benefit Scheme from Tusker
- Access to CAREFIRST advice & counselling service
- Employee discount scheme for national and local retailers
- The Government has introduced new ways of supporting parents with childcare costs. Further details are available here
We're committed to making Medway carbon neutral by 2050. We have developed an action plan to ensure we play our part in addressing the climate emergency. Our declaration fits into our Council Plan priority of making Medway a place to be proud of. The main outcome being a 'clean and green environment'. All Medway Council staff can access an additional day’s paid leave to undertake a volunteering activity which supports climate change.
Our organisation:
Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, made up of the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham and more rural areas, including the Hoo Peninsula.
Situated in Kent in the South-East of England, the area has plenty of green spaces, excellent facilities and easy access to the national motorway and rail networks, facilitating superb transport links to London.
We provide all local Government services for a quarter of a million people, looking after education, environment, social care, housing, planning, business and much more - everything from frontline services such as rubbish collection and events like the Dickens Festival to work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure services in Medway run smoothly and cost effectively.
Working at Medway Council means that you get to be part of this journey working alongside talented, professional colleagues to drive forward change to transform the lives of our residents and the communities they live in.
If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager, please e-mail Lisa Maryott at lisa.maryott@medway.gov.uk.
Important Information
Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile.
Equal Opportunities Commitment Statement
Medway Council is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All appropriately qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, marital status, family commitments, sexual orientation, age, HIV status, religious or political beliefs, social class or trade union activity or irrelevant spent conviction.
For further information please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.
Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.
Please visit www.mindfulemployer.net for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.
How to apply
Please be advised that we only accept online applications submitted through JobsGoPublic ATS
If you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted.
All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email, if you require documentation/correspondence in different format such as braille or large print, please contact the Resourcing Team on 01634 332878.
Information Pack
Job Profile
Apply Here