County Highway Arboriculturist

The Methodist Church in Britain; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 65.000 - 90.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

30 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Hybrid working

Health and wellbeing support

Paid volunteering opportunities

Zusammenfassung

Somerset Council is recruiting a permanent post leading the Highway Tree Team to inspect, maintain and advise on roadside trees across the county. The role sets policy, manages a £1m budget, and oversees contractors and a team of three.

It also coordinates emergency tree works after severe weather and provides arboriculture guidance to internal colleagues and external partners. Applicants need a Level 6 arboriculture qualification or equivalent experience, with five years’ post-qualification

Qualifikationen

• Level 6 professional qualification in arboriculture, or equivalent experience.
• Professional tree inspection qualification.

Aufgaben

• Lead strategic and operational delivery of highway tree management across Somerset
• Develop and implement policies, procedures and risk-based inspection programmes
• Ensure compliance with tree legislation, health and safety requirements and industry standards
• Manage highway tree inspections and maintenance, including pre-planned and reactive works programmes
• Manage the Highway Trees Project and a £1m tree maintenance works budget
• Manage contractors and direct, supervise, train and review the performance of a team of three
• Provide expert arboriculture advice to internal colleagues, elected members and external partners
• Liaise with Highways and development control on the adoption of new landscaped areas
• Coordinate emergency tree surgery after severe weather events
• Resolve complex issues such as insurance claims and emergency incidents
• Monitor performance and engage stakeholders

Kenntnisse

Knowledge of tree-related legislation

Knowledge of tree pests, diseases and

Ausbildung

Level 6 professional qualification in arboriculture, or equivalent experience

Professional tree inspection qualification

Jobbeschreibung

Permanent post leading the Highway Tree Team at Somerset Council, which inspects, maintains and advises on roadside trees across the county. The role sets policy and risk-based inspection programmes, manages a £1m tree maintenance budget, and oversees contractors and a team of three. It also advises Highways and development control on new landscaped areas and coordinates emergency tree works after severe weather, with frequent rural travel and some lone working. Applicants need a Level 6 arboriculture qualification or equivalent experience, and visa sponsorship is not available.

What the job involves

• Lead strategic and operational delivery of highway tree management across Somerset
• Develop and implement policies, procedures and risk-based inspection programmes
• Ensure compliance with tree legislation, health and safety requirements and industry standards
• Manage highway tree inspections and maintenance, including pre-planned and reactive works programmes
• Manage the Highway Trees Project and a £1m tree maintenance works budget
• Manage contractors and direct, supervise, train and review the performance of a team of three
• Provide expert arboriculture advice to internal colleagues, elected members and external partners
• Liaise with Highways and development control on the adoption of new landscaped areas
• Coordinate emergency tree surgery after severe weather events
• Resolve complex issues such as insurance claims and emergency incidents
• Monitor performance and engage stakeholders

What’s required

Qualifications

• Level 6 professional qualification in arboriculture, or equivalent experience
• Professional tree inspection qualification

Experience

• Five years' post-qualification experience in tree assessment and prescribing arboricultural management

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of tree-related legislation and law
• Knowledge of tree pests, diseases and the planning process

Checks & eligibility

• Standard DBS check
• Right to work in the UK without sponsorship

Other

• Ability to travel independently to areas not covered by public transport

What’s offered

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working where service needs allow
• Health and wellbeing support, including confidential employee assistance
• Paid volunteering opportunities