Assistant Tree Officer

Dover District Council; Dover; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Dover District Council seeks an enthusiastic Assistant Tree Officer to join the Parks and Open Spaces Team. This role offers a unique opportunity to develop into a tree specialist through a fully funded Level 4 Arboriculturist Apprenticeship at Plumpton College. The role combines practical hands-on experience with academic study, focusing on tree preservation and management. Candidates should possess excellent communication skills, relevant GCSE qualifications, and a willingness to learn about arboriculture.

Benefits

Funding for educational qualifications

Reimbursed travel and accommodation costs for college

Qualifications

• Good verbal and written communication skills required.
• Ability to work proactively within set guidelines essential.
• Willingness to learn the relevant regulatory framework.

Responsibilities

• Learn to administer Tree Preservation Orders and develop arboricultural skills.
• Provide advice on planning applications affecting trees.
• Complete a Level 4 Arboriculturist Apprenticeship with practical experience.

Skills

Communication

Organisational skills

Administrative skills

Education

5 GCSE's grade C/Level 4 or above including English, Maths and Science

Job description

The Dover District covers approximately 121 square miles and is steeped in history, with wonderful coastline and countryside, lush valleys and beautiful parks and gardens, including the Green Flag Awarded Kearsney Parks, which encompasses a Grade II Thomas Mawson formal gardens.This makes Dover such an attractive place to live and work.

With amazing natural landscapes and a stock of veteran trees, we’re looking for an enthusiastic Assistant Tree Officer to join the Parks and Open Spaces Team as part of an exciting and unique opportunity.

This role will enable someone who has an existing, demonstrated interest in arboriculture to develop into a fully-fledged tree specialist, through completing a Level 4 Arboriculturist Apprenticeship (through Plumpton College) supported by and funded through the Council.

The role and responsibilities

This is a combination of a hands-on practical role, as well as a learning opportunity through the apprenticeship qualification. Reporting to the Tree and Horticultural Officer, the postholder will learn and develop their skills related to the administration of Tree Preservation Orders (TPO), applications for works to both trees which are the subject of a preservation order (TPO) and trees in conservation areas. The postholder will, supported by the Tree and Horticultural Officer, provide advice and comments in respect to planning applications for development which may affect trees, and the management of Council owned trees on publicly accessible land.

As part of the role, the successful candidate will be expected to complete a Level 4 Arboriculturist Apprenticeship (through Plumpton College) supported by the Council. Through a combination of teaching at Plumpton College and shadowing the Council’s Tree and Horticultural Officer, the postholder will gain a solid theoretical foundation as well as practical experience.

Who we are looking for

• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work proactively and within set guidelines
• Good organisational and administrative skills
• Willingness to learn the relevant regulatory framework
• Computer literate
• 5 GCSE's grade C/Level 4 or above including English, Maths and Science
• Ability to attend Plumpton College Campus in Brighton in person for 3 days a week on a bi-monthly basis as part of the Level 4 Apprenticeship (reasonable travel expenses and accommodation costs will be reimbursed)
• This post requires you to have a full, clean driving licence and own transport

For an informal discussion about this post, please contactGrace Dennis at [e-mail].

Closing Date: 23rd July 2025

Interview Date: w/c 4th August TBC