Job Details

Job introduction

Are you passionate about trees and their protection?
Do you hold a Level 3 or equivalent arboricultural qualification?
Have you excellent communication skills?

If so, then this could be the job for you. The Arboricultural Service at Brighton & Hove City council is looking for an arboriculturist to join their busy team.

We require a qualified arboriculturist to provide a consultancy service for the Planning Department in relation to the assessment and safeguarding of trees on proposed development sites, determining Tree Preservation Order and Conservation Area applications and notifications.  Accurate information gathering and report writing skills and site visits will form an essential part of this role.

You will be responsible for providing expert advice and guidance to other council officers, elected members, architects, contractors and the public to ensure statutory compliance with all arboricultural related matters while safeguarding the Council’s position.

About the role

The City of Brighton & Hove has a vast and diverse treescape comprising parkland, woodland and over 16,000 street trees.  The city is also home to the National Elm Collection.  The Arboricultural Service is responsible for maintaining all those aspects to a highly professional and safe standard.

This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified arboriculturist with a minimum Level 3 qualification to assist the Planning Department determine pre applications for proposed development. The aim of the job role is primarily towards understanding arboriculture impact implications of a proposed development, to recognise specialist engineering opportunities and effectively instigate and sustain protection measures to ensure successful planting and retention of existing trees and their health into the future.

There is a requirement to determining works to trees protected with TPOs and notifications of works to trees in Conservation Areas.

Accurate report writing skills and ability to visit sites to inspect and survey trees, often in remote and difficult locations, is a requirement of this post.  In addition, there will be some survey work for Housing and other Council sectors. Investigative work in support of the planning and enforcement team with regard to TPO contraventions and appeals will be required on occasion.  The Arboriculturalist (Statutory) will provide key expert and professional advice to Council departments’ responsible for their tree stock. These areas include including the following sectors; City Parks, Housing, Cemeteries, Estates and Regeneration.

The post requires good organisation and time management skills and an in-depth understanding of BS5837 and BS3998.  An understanding of effective implementation, and long-term retention and safeguarding of trees and newly planted landscaped areas within development sites is required with a good working knowledge of Arboriculture and Planning Law and TPO legislation.

The majority of the work will be writing reports for the Planning Department and may require attending the Planning Office in Hove Town Hall one morning per week to act as a visible contact.

We are seeking keen, dedicated and responsible arboriculturist who can demonstrate the following qualities:

- Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal

- Ability to liaise effectively and work closely with external organisations

- Experience reviewing tree amenity value and confirming/revoking TPO status

- Awareness of Health and Safety practices in the workplace

- Experience providing Expert Witness evidence and reports

- Knowledge of relevant legislation and statutory guidance relating to tree protection and works

- Ability to accurately record tree stock data using an  IT database

- Experience costing and project managing tree work contracts

- An expert knowledge of tree diseases, particularly Elm Disease

- Availability to attend occasional out-of-hours meetings

As a minimum, candidates are required to hold Level 3 or equivalent Arboricultural Association’s Technician’s Certificate or a professional equivalent.

Contracted working hours are 37 per week, Monday to Friday, occasionally, candidates may be required to attend out-of-hours meetings.

Interview date: week commencing Monday, 7 October 2019

For an informal discussion, please contact Robert Walker - Head of Cityparks on 01273 294349.

We highly recommend you read the ‘Statement Guidance’ below before you apply for this job. It is important you are able to show how you meet the Person Specification when applying. Not following this guidance is likely to reduce your chances of success.

Additional information

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.

Work Permits: we may be able to obtain a Work Permit for this post but this is subject to meeting the requirements of the UK Border Agency's Points-based Immigration System.

From 6 April 2011 the Home Office has placed a permanent restriction on the number of migrant workers that all Tier 2 (General) Sponsors can recruit. Due to the restrictions we cannot guarantee that individuals that meet the requirements of the Points-based Immigration System will be issued with clearance to obtain work permits.

Company information

We welcome applications from all sections of the community but particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background as well as those who identify as disabled, LGB, female or trans as these groups are currently under-represented in our Directorate workforce.

As part of Brighton & Hove City Council's ongoing commitment to redeployment, please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any stage of the recruitment process, without prior notice if a suitable redeployee (internal employee at risk of redundancy) is identified.

Files

• Arboriculurist (Statutory) - Job Description & Person Specification
• cover letter
• our values
• statement guidance