Tree Inspector

The Methodist Church in Britain; Middlewich; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

34 days annual leave incl. bank hols

Flexi-time and hybrid/remote work

Pension scheme and employee assistance

Cycle to work scheme

Further qualifications opportunities

Job summary

Cheshire East Council is seeking a Tree Inspector in the Arboriculture team for a full-time role of 37 hours per week. The job involves inspecting trees borough-wide, assessing risk, recording findings, and recommending remedial works.

You will liaise with the public and council staff, and work at height using climbing gear and MEWPs. Planning applications for trees under protection orders are part of the role, with potential for further qualifications to support career development.

Qualifications

• Carry out tree inspections across the borough and record data electronically.
• Identify defects, pests and diseases and specify remedial tree works.
• Communicate high‑risk requirements to team members and managers.
• Liaise with the public, services and tree officers on enquiries and reports.
• Work at height using climbing and safety equipment and MEWP access.
• Submit planning applications for trees under conservation orders or protection.

Responsibilities

• Carry out tree inspections across the borough and record data electronically.
• Identify structural defects, pests and diseases and recommend remedial works.
• Communicate high‑risk requirements to appropriate team members.
• Liaise with members of the public and council services on enquiries and reports.
• Work at height using climbing and safety equipment and MEWPs for aerial inspections.
• Assist with planning applications for trees under protections and liaise with planning.
• Support cyclical inspections, projects and contracts and meet standards.
• Help develop relevant arboriculture policies and health and safety compliance.

Skills

Tree inspection

Risk assessment

Public liaison

Climbing proficiency

Education

Arboriculture qualification (preferred)

Job description

Tree Inspector post in the Arboriculture team at Cheshire East Council, a full-time role of 37 hours a week. The work centres on inspecting trees across the borough, assessing risk, recording findings and recommending remedial works, with some liaison with members of the public. Working at height with climbing and access equipment, including mobile elevating platforms, sets this role apart, alongside handling tree-related planning applications for protected trees. Possible further qualifications support career development.

What the job involves

• Carry out tree inspections across the borough, including visual inspections and tree risk assessments, and record site and tree data electronically
• Identify structural defects, pests and diseases, and make recommendations and specifications for remedial tree works
• Communicate high-risk and urgent requirements to appropriate team members
• Liaise with members of the public, customer services and team members on tree-related enquiries, service requests and complaints, including site meetings and written and verbal reports
• Work at height using climbing and safety equipment and temporary access platforms such as mobile elevating work platforms for aerial inspections
• Complete and submit planning applications for trees under conservation area or tree protection order stipulations, and liaise with the council planning department and tree officers
• Contribute to the planning and programming of cyclical inspections, projects and contracts, and meet targets and required standards
• Assist in developing relevant policies and strategies
• Assist with auditing contractors, in-house arborists, equipment and PPE against specification, health and safety legislation and British Standards
• Deliver services in line with council values, policies and objectives, and comply with health and safety and environmental standards
• Undertake other work at or consistent with current responsibilities, at any location in Cheshire East, as required

What’s offered

• 34 days annual leave including bank holidays, rising to 39 after five years, with up to 10 extra days purchasable each year
• Flexi-time and hybrid or remote working where possible
• Salary sacrifice schemes for green cars and white goods
• Enhanced career average public pension at 1/49th of pensionable pay
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free, confidential employee assistance programme
• Discounted corporate gym membership at Everybody Leisure facilities
• Possibility of further qualifications