Tree and Landscape Officer

Job Title: Tree and Landscape Officer, Kingston upon Thames

Client:

Royal Borough of Kingston

Location:

Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Reference:

645b409eeeeb

Job Views:

9

Posted:

26.04.2025

Expiry Date:

10.06.2025

Job Description:

Category: Planning

Location: Guildhall 2, Royal Borough of Kingston

Hours Per Week: 37.00

Start Date: Immediate start

Start Time: 09:00

End Time: 17:00

Salary: £20.91

The Council is committed to delivering optimal outcomes for its communities. To support this, it seeks employees who thrive in an agile, networked organization and who can foster continuous improvement within a constructive organizational culture.

Role Responsibilities:

• Ensure development management decisions regarding trees and landscapes comply with legislation, policies, and guidelines.
• Investigate unauthorised works to trees and provide advice on planning applications and related matters.
• Monitor and update the Council’s Register of Tree Preservation Orders.

The role reports directly to the Lead Officer Development Management Specialisms.

Key Activities:

Performance Expectations

• Work with managers and colleagues to define outcomes, set targets, and monitor performance.
• Support operational plans to optimize resource use.

Customers and Partners

• Build strong partnerships to deliver outcomes efficiently.
• Support community cohesion, diversity, and social inclusion.

Digital and New Ways of Working

• Utilize modern technologies, including Google suite, to enhance working practices and customer service.

Role Delivery:

• Provide professional arboricultural advice, including protection of trees and hedgerows.
• Maintain and monitor Tree Preservation Orders and GIS databases.
• Exercise statutory duties related to Tree Preservation Orders.
• Assess applications under protected tree legislation and provide recommendations.
• Advise on vegetation-induced subsidence and related planning decisions.
• Assist with insurance claims and high hedge disputes.
• Apply relevant arboricultural standards and legislation.
• Provide advice to developers and stakeholders on tree and landscape issues.
• Participate in meetings, site inspections, and legal proceedings as required.
• Promote awareness of tree legislation and best practices through training.
• Undertake relevant training and development.
• Investigate reports of unauthorised tree felling and manage enforcement actions.

Equality and Diversity:

Embed equity, fairness, respect, and diversity into all aspects of work and service delivery.

General Requirements:

• Availability for out-of-hours emergency response, with flexible work-life balance management.
• Develop and update personal development plans.
• Adhere to relevant policies and legislation.
• Perform other duties as required, consistent with the grade and responsibilities.

Person & Qualifications:

To succeed, you should have:

• A relevant landscape-related qualification or equivalent experience.
• Arboricultural qualifications including Level 3 Diploma or equivalent, and Lantra Tree Inspection certification.
• Experience in Tree Risk Assessment, e.g., QTRA methodology.
• A full, clean driving license and insured vehicle for business use.
• Membership or eligibility for membership of professional bodies such as the Landscape Institute or Arboricultural Association.
• A proactive, innovative, and adaptable mindset, with a commitment to ongoing learning and compliance with legislation and best practices.