Arboricultural Officer

London Borough of Hillingdon; North Hillingdon; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local government pension scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Generous annual leave entitlement

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

London Borough of Hillingdon is seeking an enthusiastic Arboricultural Officer for our Green Spaces team. You will inspect tree stock, assess requests, develop works specifications, manage contractors and contribute to the Tree Strategy.

You will provide expert arboricultural advice to planning, highways and housing services across the borough, supporting residents and ensuring high-quality public spaces. A qualification in Arboriculture and UK experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Qualification in Arboriculture, Forestry or related discipline (Level 4 or equivalent).
• Recent UK arboricultural experience, ideally within a local authority.
• Understanding of tree legislation including Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Areas.
• Experience of carrying out tree inspections and recording findings using electronic systems.
• Strong communication skills for residents, councillors and colleagues.
• Experience of contractor management and quality assurance.
• Full UK driving licence and ability to work across the borough.

Responsibilities

• Inspect the Council's tree stock and assess tree-related service requests.
• Develop specifications for tree works and manage contractors.
• Contribute to the delivery of the Tree Strategy and provide arboricultural advice to planning, highways and housing services.
• Support across services including Tree Preservation Orders, Conservation Areas, pest and disease control, and woodland management initiatives.

Skills

Arboriculture knowledge

Tree inspections

Contractor management

Communication with residents

Driving licence

Education

Level 4 Arboriculture or equivalent

Tools

Electronic management systems

Job description

Hillingdon is one of London's greenest boroughs, home to an extensive and diverse tree population that makes a vital contribution to the local environment and the wellbeing of our residents. We are looking for an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Arboricultural Officer to join our Green Spaces team and help manage, protect and enhance this important asset. This is an exciting opportunity for a suitably qualified arboricultural professional to play a key role in delivering the Council's tree management responsibilities. You will undertake inspections of the Council's tree stock, assess tree-related service requests, develop specifications for tree works, manage contractors and contribute to the delivery of our Tree Strategy. You will also support planning, highways, housing and other services by providing expert arboricultural advice. Working across the borough, you will be involved in a varied workload including Tree Preservation Orders, Conservation Area notifications, tree risk management, pest and disease control, insurance claims, resident enquiries and woodland management initiatives. No two days are the same, and you will have the opportunity to make a real difference to Hillingdon's landscape and environment. We are looking for a motivated and customer-focused professional who is passionate about arboriculture and committed to delivering excellent public services.

• A qualification in Arboriculture, Forestry or a related discipline (Level 4 or equivalent experience).
• Recent UK arboricultural experience, ideally within a local authority environment.
• A good understanding of tree legislation, including Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Areas.
• Experience of carrying out tree inspections and recording findings accurately using electronic management systems.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical matters clearly to residents, councillors and colleagues.
• Experience of contractor management and quality assurance.
• A full UK driving licence and the ability to work across the borough.

PTI certification is desirable, although support may be available for the right candidate to obtain this qualification.

At Hillingdon, we put our residents first. We are committed to protecting and enhancing our green infrastructure while delivering high-quality, value-for-money services. Joining our Green Spaces team means becoming part of a forward-thinking organisation that values professional development, innovation and collaborative working.

In return, we offer:

• A competitive local government pension scheme.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Flexible working arrangements where operationally appropriate.
• Employee discounts and wellbeing benefits.
• The opportunity to help shape and protect one of London's most significant tree populations.
• Flexible Working Hours - We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 Hour Week - Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
• Generous Holiday Entitlement - increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure - Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes - option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work - Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme - access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Perkbox Benefits - Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Perkbox Benefits.
• Mental Health Support and Counselling Services - Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
• Travel Support - Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
• Trade Union Membership - The Council recognises UNISON, Unite, AEP and GMB and supports employees' freedom of choice in relation to trade union membership.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly. The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities. Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.