Senior Tree Officer

Job content

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Tree Officer

Strategic Team: Green Infrastructure

Service: Parks and Green Infrastructure

Business Unit: SWISCo Limited

Responsible To:(day to day issues) Green Infrastructure Manager

Accountable To:(line manager) Green Infrastructure Manager

1. Key Purpose of Job

1.1. To be responsible for the operation of day-to-day effective and efficient service delivery.

1.2. To provide technical support to the Green Infrastructure Manager to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.

1.3. To ensure the sustainable delivery of an effective, efficient, and compliant service.

1.4. To work to achieve planned outcomes on both a long and short-term basis internally and community wide.

1.5. To work within and foster a Health and Safety culture.

2. Anticipated Outcomes of Post

2.1. An efficient, effective, and professional service that, as a minimum, meets the national and local performance targets and delivers high quality outcomes for Torbay and its residents.

2.2. The provision of a quality green infrastructure service in direct relation to the
Arboriculture function of meeting the statutory functions required by Torbay Council.

2.3. That Torbay’s residents and visitors receive an efficient and timely service.

2.4. To reach agreed targets for the provision and quality of the service.

2.5. That SWISCo, the service and Torbay Council are recognised for efficient service delivery in the community.

2.6. The service remains legally compliant.

2.7. One team one goal.

3. List Key Duties and accountabilities of the post

3.1. To lead on, and be responsible, for the processing of applications and notifications relating to trees protected by TPO or Conservation Area status.

3.2. To participate in the processing of High Hedge complaints submitted under the Anti- Social behaviour Act.

3.3. To enforce Tree Replacement Notices under the supervision of the Green Infrastructure Manager.

3.4. To participate in the provision of advice on the impact of development proposals on existing trees and on the suitability of proposed new tree planting resulting from the granting of planning permission.

3.5. To provide professional Arboriculture advice to all business units, external customers, other agencies, and the public when requested.

3.6. The development and maintenance of a computerised tree record data base, to enable the maintenance and management of the tree stock on a programmed basis.

3.7. To be responsible for detailed tree assessments and surveys of council owned trees and woodlands and maintain adequate records using the above and any other parallel systems.

3.8. To support service delivery and consistency on behalf of the Green Infrastructure Manager during periods of his absence under guidance and parameters pre-set by the Green Infrastructure Manager.

3.9. To monitor contractors, and consultants in the delivery of their service to the Green Infrastructure team on behalf of SWISCo and Torbay Council.

3.10. To support with the preparation and implementation of policies and plans for tree and woodland establishment, to include its management.

3.11. To provide support with the training and organising of the councils Tree Warden scheme.

3.12. To provide professional advice regarding insurance claims and to liaise with Torbay Council s legal service in relation to the preparation of court documentation. Also, to appear in court to give evidence in support of Torbay Council’s case.

3.13. Work closely with managers and other team members to promote and ensure efficient communications at all levels within the team as well as between departments.

3.14. To work against set planned schedules and undertake operational tasks required as well as being responsive to operational needs.

3.15. To work as a team to ensure operations meet with SWISCo’s safety, performance, and operational targets. To include maintaining effective understanding of health and safety regarding safe working practices.

3.16. To maintain effective working standards to ensure effective delivery of service provision in line with the established timeframes.

3.17. Undertake and attend all necessary and required training.

3.18. Providing regular communication to line managers to maintain effective service delivery and highlight issues that may adversely affect service delivery.

3.19. Make and foster effective relationships that support the one team ethos.

3.20. To provide polite, professional, and effective customer service as a representative of SWISCo.

3.21. An effective Health and Safety culture is fostered and maintained.

4. Budgetary / Financial Responsibilities of the post

4.1. The postholder will be responsible to the Green Infrastructure Manager for expenditure up to an agreed level on the following budgets:

• Green Infrastructure Contract budget

5. Supervision / Line Management Responsibilities of the post

5.1. No direct line management responsibilities but will support in the day-to-day supervision of the Green Infrastructure Policy Officer, to include task setting, mentoring, training, practical day to day support and task setting.

6. Working Environment & Conditions of the post

6.1. The postholder will be office/home based; however, the postholder will be expected to visit various sites within Torbay in line with their workflow demands and potentially at short notice.

6.2. The postholder will be the lead contact for this area in relation to Torbay Council’s emergency cascade procedures and may be required to attend emergency incidents potentially at night or in extreme weather events.

7. Physical Demands of the post

7.1. Requirement to spend part of the day walking, which includes distances of up to 3km over potentially uneven ground.

7.2. Some physical effort will be required as part of this role 60% and the rest will be office based 40%

8. Specific Resources used by the post

8.1. PPE as suitable to role and duties being undertaken

8.2. Driving of fleet vehicles, shared when required and available.

8.3. IT and office equipment.

9. Key Contacts and Relationships

9.1. External

Torbay Council departments

Nearby District Councils

Suppliers

Contractors, sub-contractors, and external parties such as the Coast and Countryside Trust

Community engagement/partners/volunteers

Councillors

Members of the public

9.2. Internal

Operational teams/Service Managers/Colleagues

Senior Management Team

Human Resources

SWISCo Board of Directors

10. Other Duties

10.1. To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement.

In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to consider regarding your disability to offer a fair selection interview.

Wherever possible and reasonable we will adjust and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Person Specification

Essential Skills and Effectiveness:

1. Ability to work collaboratively and as part of a team, to include those from other teams and service areas.

2. Effective organisational skills as well as being able to apply effective attention to detail.

3. Effective ability to meet targets and demand, to include conflicting deadlines.

4. Able to work on own initiative proactively and with the minimum of direction.

5. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to include the skills required to handle sensitive issues sympathetically and effectively.

6. Effective negotiation skills when dealing with staff and members of the public.

7. Effective communication skills to include the ability to present information to others, to include in the form of reports, concisely and consistently.

8. Possession of impeccable customer relationship and service skills to demonstrate a customer focused approach.

9. Ability to demonstrate IT skills using Microsoft packages as well as Office 365.

10. Ability to take direction and work in an inclusive manner.

11. Proven ability to undertake accurate tree surveys in accordance with current British Standards and Best Practice guidance.

Essential Knowledge:

12. Effective knowledge of Health & Safety processes.

13. Practical knowledge and understanding of statutory obligations which affects the service area.

14. Effective knowledge, understanding of data protection and Enforcement. confidentiality.

15. Working knowledge of Part VIII of the TCPA 1990 and Part 8 that affect trees and ecology issues in relation to trees of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003

16. Awareness of the contents of all current versions, such as B.S 5837:2005 (Trees in relation to Construction - Recommendations), B.S 3998:1989 (Recommendations for tree work), European Tree Pruning Guide 2001, NJUG 10 and any other relevant British Standards or Building Research Establishment documents relating to Trees and/or Landscaping.

17. Awareness of current case law relating to trees.

18. Effective understand of “Tree Preservation Orders: A guide to the Law and Good Practice (DETR) and “High Hedges Complaints: Prevention and Cure “(ODPM)

Essential Experience/Achievements:

19. Previous experience of working in a time critical role and 5. Previous experience of working within a performance driven environment. organisation and against Key Performance Indicators or other

20. Experience of problem solving to successful outcomes. performance related targets.

21. Able to demonstrate in-still trust to staff members at all levels, and clients/customers, and the public. recommendations on trees in relation to development, risk management and landscaping proposals

22. Experience of demonstrating and promoting equal opportunities.

23. Previous experience taking personal responsibility for achieving a high quality and standard of work.

24. Previous experience in assessing the contribution trees make to the amenity of the area.

25. Previous experience in assessing the condition of trees and what impact proposed works would have on their amenity contribution and life expectancy

Essential Qualifications/Professional Memberships:

26. Educated to degree standard or equivalent in Arboriculture following the National Qualification Framework.

Essential – Other requirements of the job role

• Ability to carry out the physical requirements of the role (i.e., manual handling, outdoor working)
• Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay to carry out duties
• Ability to accommodate unsociable hours

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £34,723.00-£37,261.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discount
• On-site parking

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Paignton: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: One location

Application deadline: 31/01/2023
Reference ID: SWIS031