Urban Forest Planner

Wyndham City Council; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 94,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Wyndham City Council is seeking a specialist to shape Wyndham’s urban forest by developing and implementing strategies that protect trees, increase canopy, and create greener streets.

In this role, you will advise on tree retention, species selection and planting opportunities, collaborate with agencies and communities, and support annual planting programs. You will lead planting plans for public spaces and report on progress as part of council's environmental and urban forest strategies.

Qualifications

• Qualifications in horticulture, landscape architecture, arboriculture or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience
• Experience in urban forest planning, strategic planning and relevant legislation, particularly in a local government or urban development context
• Experience developing and implementing plans, policies, strategies and guidelines for urban forests, streetscapes and public spaces
• Strong knowledge of tree species selection, identification and performance in urban environments, supported by an understanding of arboriculture and urban forest management
• Well-developed communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to manage challenging conversations and work with diverse groups
• Experience in community engagement and consultation, building relationships with residents, community groups, developers and internal stakeholders
• Strong planning, organisational and reporting skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and review urban forest policies, strategies, guidelines and plans
• Provide advice on tree retention, species selection and planting opportunities for planning referrals and development projects
• Identify priority areas for tree planting and support Council’s annual planting programs
• Develop detailed planting plans for key public spaces, streetscapes and town centres
• Work with government agencies, developers, community groups and internal teams to improve tree canopy cover across Wyndham
• Lead community engagement activities and support tree planting events and the Green Living Series
• Monitor and report on actions under Council’s environmental and urban forest strategies

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiation

Stakeholder engagement

Planning skills

Urban forestry knowledge

Education

Horticulture / Landscape Architecture / Arboriculture

Job description

Remuneration: Band 6 salary from $104,133.36 per annum plus superannuation and a fortnightly RDO to the

Location: Werribee based

About the role

Help shape the future of Wyndham’s urban forest by developing and implementing strategies, policies and programs that protect existing trees, increase canopy cover and create greener, more liveable streets and public spaces.

In this role, you will provide specialist advice on tree retention, species selection and planting opportunities, ensuring urban forest outcomes are considered in planning, design and development projects. Working closely with internal teams, developers, government agencies and the community, you will support Council’s annual tree planting programs and identify opportunities to enhance Wyndham’s urban forest as the city continues to grow.

What your day will look like

• Develop and review urban forest policies, strategies, guidelines and plans
• Provide advice on tree retention, species selection and planting opportunities for planning referrals and development projects
• Identify priority areas for tree planting and support Council’s annual planting programs
• Develop detailed planting plans for key public spaces, streetscapes and town centres
• Work with government agencies, developers, community groups and internal teams to improve tree canopy cover across Wyndham
• Lead community engagement activities and support tree planting events and the Green Living Series
• Monitor and report on actions under Council’s environmental and urban forest strategies

What you will bring

• Qualifications in horticulture, landscape architecture, arboriculture or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience
• Experience in urban forest planning, strategic planning and relevant legislation, particularly in a local government or urban development context
• Experience developing and implementing plans, policies, strategies and guidelines for urban forests, streetscapes and public spaces
• Strong knowledge of tree species selection, identification and performance in urban environments, supported by an understanding of arboriculture and urban forest management
• Well-developed communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to manage challenging conversations and work with diverse groups
• Experience in community engagement and consultation, building relationships with residents, community groups, developers and internal stakeholders
• Strong planning, organisational and reporting skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.

If you progress past the interview stage, you may be required to complete pre-employment screening, which may include police checks, a medical, qualification verification, and an Australian work rights check.

Why join Wyndham

We are one of Australia’s fastest growing and most diverse cities.

By 2040, we will have more than 500,000 residents and our people are hard at work designing the precincts, building the infrastructure, developing the policies and delivering the programs that will ensure the City is prepared.

Look at our job opportunities and you may be surprised at what you discover: a future-focused culture, a sense of purpose and possibility, and real opportunities to strengthen our diverse community. It all adds up to make Wyndham City a great place to belong.

Our people are our most valued asset. We are focused on building a culture that empowers every person to do their best work. Flexibility is built right into our DNA and we are committed to cultivating an inclusive workplace that celebrates a diverse workforce.

Child Safe Organisation

Wyndham City Council has zero tolerance to any form of child abuse and is committed to the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of children. We create and maintain a child safe organisation which is embedded in the everyday thinking and practice of all employees, volunteers and contractors. Additionally, we are committed to fostering a culture of safety within the Council, which includes the inclusion and empowerment of Aboriginal children, their families, and communities. Our recruitment practices reflect this.

Diversity and Inclusion

At Wyndham City Council we value workforce diversity and inclusion and embrace individual uniqueness. We value diverse life experiences and the perspectives of our people, while providing high-quality services to all members of our community, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, cultural background, disability, or sexuality.

Wyndham has one of the largest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the Western Region, with a rich and diverse history. We are committed to providing positive employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and welcome applications from candidates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background. To read more about Wyndham City’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, pleasevisitourwebsite.