Tree Officer - Local Authority

Hourly Rate: £18.04 to £22.42 PAYE (Umbrella rates available on request) Location: Rotherham (Hybrid Working Available) Job Type: Full-time, Interim

Join our team as a Tree Officer and play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting Rotherham's urban forest. This position offers a unique opportunity for an experienced arboricultural professional to manage, protect, and develop the Council's extensive tree stock, ensuring public safety and environmental stewardship.

Day-to-day of the role:

• Act as the Council's specialist adviser on all matters relating to trees and arboriculture.
• Manage a diverse range of Council-owned trees including street trees, trees within parks, trees in Council housing gardens, and Council-owned woodlands.
• Ensure trees are managed safely, sustainably, and in accordance with legislation, industry best practices, and the Council's Tree Management Protocol.
• Conduct proactive tree inspections and risk assessments.
• Respond to enquiries from residents, elected members, and community groups.
• Develop and specify arboricultural works in accordance with BS3998.
• Manage and monitor tree work contractors.
• Provide specialist arboricultural advice to colleagues, partners, and the Local Planning Authority.
• Promote the value and importance of trees across the borough.
• Identify opportunities to improve and expand Rotherham's tree canopy.
• Support wider Council objectives through partnership working across services such as Green Spaces and Development Control.
• Contribute to service planning, performance management, and continuous improvement activities.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Formal Arboricultural Qualification at Level 5 or equivalent.
• Lantra Professional Tree Inspection qualification.
• Professional Tree Inspector qualification.
• Extensive experience carrying out Visual Tree Assessments (VTAs).
• Experience identifying structural defects, tree health issues, and associated risks.
• Experience producing work specifications to BS3998 standards.
• Experience managing arboricultural contractors.
• Strong knowledge of legislation and legal responsibilities relating to tree management.
• Experience delivering excellent customer service to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience providing professional arboricultural advice.
• Experience managing or supervising staff within an arboricultural setting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective project and performance management skills.
• Good IT skills across Microsoft Office and business systems.

Benefits:

• Hybrid working arrangements.
• Opportunities to lead projects and shape future service delivery.
• A collaborative working environment committed to professional development.
• The chance to directly influence and improve the borough's tree cover and green infrastructure.

How to Apply:

If you're an experienced arboricultural professional who wants to play a key role in protecting and enhancing Rotherham's trees for future generations, please submit your CV and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are interested in this position.