Area Tree Officer (South)

Oxfordshire County Council; Witney; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the UK seeks a Tree Officer/Arboriculturist to enhance tree retention and care in South Oxfordshire. The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing tree stocks, interacting with the public, and conducting surveys. Responsibilities include promoting the benefits of trees and contributing to local initiatives. This is a permanent position with flexible working options and numerous benefits offered, including 30 days' holiday and participation in the pension scheme.

Benefits

30 days’ holiday p.a.

Access to a Relocation Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced family friendly policies

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in managing tree stocks and promoting tree benefits.
• Ability to build strong relationships with contractors and the public.
• Skills in conducting inspections and surveys.

Responsibilities

• Conduct large-scale and site-specific tree surveys.
• Manage tree care projects and promote transparency.
• Identify opportunities for increasing canopy cover.

Skills

Tree management

Public interaction

Project management

Community engagement

Education

Qualification in Arboriculture

Job description

About us

Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) recognises the need for action related to climate adaptation. Proactive tree care, tree retention and canopy growth of our tree assets will enable delivery of key objectives to aid resilience and improve the environmental benefits for residents and visitors across the County.

About you

Are you an experienced Tree Officer / Arboriculturist who wants a new challenge and the opportunity to deliver and influence tree retention and management across one of England’s most beautiful and diverse treescapes?

Are you recently qualified in arboriculture and are looking to start gaining invaluable experience to utilise and implement the knowledge that you have gained in education?

Are you passionate about shaping, influencing and creating new opportunities for increasing canopy cover?

If the answer is ‘YES’ to any of the above, then you could be the person we’re looking for to join our Tree Service to complement our team of 16 tree professionals. Find out more about the Tree Service and our organisational structure by selecting the link for ‘TS Organogram_June25’.

Our Senior Tree Officer (Highways), who previously delivered a similar role says,

“I have been the tree officer for Oxford and I have loved the opportunity to make a lasting difference to one of the world’s most iconic areas. OCC’s Tree Service is in a great place, with a proactive management program to retain the trees that we have and with a tree planting program investing in the future.”

About the role

Your role comes with plenty of variety and is focused on caring for a varied and established tree stock, while identifying opportunities to increase canopy cover. You could be undertaking a variety of functions that include:

• large-scale street surveys or site specific surveys;
• ad-hoc inspections;
• building strong working relationships with tree contractors to enable better outcomes;
• interaction with the public and Council staff;
• opportunities to create your own projects;
• expectation to manage your own time to enable delivery of work;
• ownership of an area for which there is personal responsibility;
• access to a strong, experienced support network from the team;
• identify tree planting opportunities.

You will contribute to the proactive tree care of Oxfordshire County Council’s tree stock by promoting the Tree Service and the benefits of trees to residents and stakeholders to ensure a holistic and consistent approach to tree care across the County. You will promote transparency and build trust with our communities.

The role will predominantly cover the area of South Oxfordshire.

Interview date: Tuesday 10/02/2026 – This will be in person at our Sutton Farm site in Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire.

• Hours per week: 37
• Contract type: Permanent
• Closing date: Sunday 25/01/2026 at 23:59
• Vetting requirements: This role is subject to a Basic DBS Check.
• Work location: You will have a base at Sutton Farm, Stanton Harcourt and you may be required to work from this location. We recognise the need for balance and therefore, agile working is offered as part of this role.

For an informal discussion about the role and how to apply, please contact Andy Lederer (Tree Service Manager) by email [e-mail]

Rewards and benefits

• Culture of flexible and agile working;
• Significant support from experienced tree professionals in the Tree Service;
• May be the opportunity for access to a County work van as part of your role, depending on demand and availability;
• Technology to support agile working, where role permits;
• 30 days’ holiday p.a. plus bank holidays (Increasing to 32 days after 10 years’ service);
• Offer access to a Relocation Scheme, depending on circumstances and conditions, should you need to consider moving closer to or into the County from where you currently live. Further details are available on request;
• Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday;
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and well-being support;
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%;
• Enhanced family friendly policies;
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel;
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a DisabilityConfident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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