Arboricultural Officer

Waverley Borough Council; Godalming; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policies

Training and apprenticeships

Generous annual leave and flexi time

Employee assistance programme

Local Government Pension Scheme

Job summary

Waverley Borough Council is seeking an Arboricultural Officer to join our Arboricultural Team in Parks and Countryside. You will provide specialist arboricultural advice within a planning context to protect the borough’s treescape while supporting sustainable development.

You will work with officers, Councillors and external bodies, manage a varied workload, and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Specialist arboricultural advice within planning context.
• Experience with planning legislation and best practice.
• Ability to manage workload and communicate with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist arboricultural advice to support planning decisions.
• Protect and enhance treescape while facilitating sustainable development.

Skills

Arboricultural expertise

Planning context advisory

Stakeholder communication

Team collaboration

Education

Level 4 Arboriculture qualification

Job description

Have your expertise to make a lasting impact

At Waverley Borough Council, we’re proud of our commitment to delivering high-quality services to our communities. We’re seeking a skilled Arboricultural Officer to join our Arboricultural Team in Parks and Countryside and help us shape a better borough.

About the Role

Waverley is one of the most wooded Boroughs in the country, with a mixture of town and rural landscapes and extensive countryside. We are looking for an enthusiastic Arboricultural Officer to join our experienced and supportive team.

You will provide specialist arboricultural advice, primarily within a planning context, helping to protect the Boroughs treescape while supporting sustainable development. Working with all levels of officers, Councillors, and other external bodies, you will deal with a diverse range of complex and challenging arboricultural issues.

This is a varied and rewarding role where your expertise will make a real difference to the local environment.

About You

You will hold a Level 4 qualification in Arboriculture (or equivalent working experience) or be working towards this level.

You will have experience of arboriculture within a planning context and a good understanding of relevant legislation, guidance, and best practice. You will be confident providing professional advice, managing a varied workload, and communicating effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.

Most importantly, you will be passionate about trees, committed to high standards of service, and keen to contribute to the protection and enhancement of Waverley’s treescape.

What We Offer

In return for your valued contribution, we offer a competitive benefits package which includes:

• Hybrid and agile working policies
• Training and development opportunities including apprenticeships
• Generous annual leave and flexi time
• An employee assistance programme
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme

You can find out more about working at Waverley and our benefits by visiting: Jobs | Waverley Borough Council

The closing date for application is 9am on 17 August 2026 and we anticipate interviews being held the week commencing 24 August 2026

Equality and Inclusion Statement

The district is home to many different people, and we want our workforce to reflect our diverse local communities. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences – we are a Disability Confident employer and appoint on merit. You can find out more about this scheme and check your eligibility here - Working at Waverley Borough Council | Waverley Borough Council

We are proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from serving or ex-members of the armed forces and their partners. We offer an interview scheme for serving and ex-military forces members when they meet the essential criteria for the role. You can find out more about this scheme and check your eligibility here - Working at Waverley Borough Council | Waverley Borough Council

Please note we do not accept applications after the stated closing time.

Right to work in the UK will be checked as part of the interview process.

Information -

We understand that some applicants may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with preparing their applications.

All submitted information, whether supported by AI or not, must accurately reflect the applicant’s own skills, experience, and qualifications.

Recruitment decisions will be based on how well applicants demonstrate these attributes during the interview and selection process.

From April 2027, Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council will become part of the new West Surrey unitary council, following the government’s confirmed plans for local government reorganisation across Surrey. This change will see the current twelve councils replaced by two new authorities, East Surrey and West Surrey, with West Surrey taking responsibility for the areas currently served by Guildford, Waverley, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath and Woking.

As we move towards this transition, our focus remains firmly on delivering high‑quality, value‑for‑money services and staying true to our shared organisational values of Collaboration, Wellbeing, Trusted, Value for Money and Professionalism.

We recognise that any period of organisational change can bring questions, particularly regarding future structures and working arrangements. Throughout this process, we are committed to supporting our colleagues with transparency and care prioritising wellbeing, maintaining a trusted and open dialogue, and ensuring continued access to learning and professional development opportunities.

While the exact shape of the new West Surrey Council beyond 2027 is still being developed, joining us now means becoming part of an organisation where collaboration thrives and where your contribution will directly influence one of the most significant local government transformations in decades. You’ll gain valuable experience, play an active role in shaping the future of public services across West Surrey, and work within a team committed to professionalism and delivering outstanding outcomes for our communities.

Together, we will ensure a smooth transition and continue to deliver exceptional services for residents both now and into the future.