Tree Officer (Planning)
Our mission
We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive. To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out ‘CARE’, which is what we think public service is all about.
Job overview
As part of Islington tree service, the post is to provide arboricultural support to Islington Planning department.
Main duties of the job
To support the Tree Preservation Officer and Arboricultural Manager in ensuring that the Tree Service provides arboricultural service to Planning:
- To process conservation area notifications and tree preservation order applications.
- To provide comment on planning applications that impact on trees.
- To assist with the monitoring of development sites.
The ideal candidate will have a Level 3 or above Arboricultural qualification and experience of working within this area.
Working for our organisation
The post sits within the Islington Tree service, Greenspace and Leisure, in the Environment Department of the London Borough of Islington.
In return we can offer you:
- A dedicated learning platform where you can find learning modules, resources and workshops. designed to maximise your potential
- Up to 31 days leave per year (increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service)
- 35-hour working week and a range of flexible working arrangements
- Excellent pension scheme
- Competitive pay – and a commitment to paying all staff and apprentices the London Living Wage
- Annual season ticket loan
- Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
- Payroll giving
- Personal computer incentive scheme
- Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more
For further information regarding this post please contact Stephen Downing | Tree Preservation Officer | Email: stephen.downing@islington.gov.uk
Closing date: Sunday 7th January 2024 at 23:59
Interviews: in the new Year - 2024
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The main responsibilities are:
- To process conservation area notifications and tree preservation order applications.
- To provide comment on planning applications that impact on trees.
- To assist with the monitoring of development sites.
The post also provides support to the Tree Service as required:
- To provide cover for other Tree Officers.
- To inspect trees on a responsive basis with a view to their safety and maintenance requirements and arrange for subsequent tree maintenance work as required.
- To work with the Parks and Projects teams to ensure the effective delivery of services.
- To use the Council’s tree management database to maintain records of inspections and tree works carried out and other records, as necessary.
- To assist with providing out of hours emergency support when required (rotational basis).
- To assist in providing a range of events to engage the community with the services provided. Some weekend and evening work may be required.
- To compile and respond to written and verbal correspondence on tree related matters.
- To prepare reports and attend committee and public meetings and events as required. Some of these meetings may require attendance during evenings and weekends.
- To assist in the organisation, supervision and monitoring of arboricultural work carried out on behalf of the Council by arboricultural contractors, including the planning of site layouts, liaison with Members, statutory bodies, contractors, and other council departments.
- To be familiar with new and existing Arboricultural Legislation and the council’s Health & Safety Policies and carry out your work in a safe and proper manner, always having regard for your own Health & Safety and that of colleagues and members of the public.
- To provide cover for other Tree Officers.
- To undertake other duties commensurate to the grade of the post.
- Optional 24/7 emergency call out rota
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- A nationally recognised arboricultural qualification to a minimum of level 3 and/or hold a Professional Tree Inspection Certificate (Lantra).
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of working in the Arboriculture industry
- A broad understanding of the current pressures facing trees in the built environment in South East England
- Experience in undertaking visual inspections of trees to ascertain condition, safety and to make recommendations of tree work.
Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to identify tree species and demonstrate detailed knowledge of trees and arboricultural techniques
- Ability to prepare reports and keep records in relation to tree stock, insurance claims, safety reports and tree planting schemes.
- To have a detailed knowledge of the Town & Country Planning Act in relation to trees and the associated planning processes.
- Ability to monitor works that have or are being undertaken by arboricultural Contractors to ensure they meet with the Councils specification and are also being carried out in accordance to health and safety regulations.
- Ability to liaise with and give advice to other council departments, statutory undertakers and the general public on specialist arboricultural matters
- To have a detailed knowledge of the relationship between trees and buildings on shrinkable clay soils in relation to subsidence.
It is the policy of Islington Council that no user of service, present or future employee or job applicant receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of their sex, perceived or actual sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion or belief, age, creed, colour, nationality, national origin, ethnic origin, or disability, or on the grounds of their association with someone in one of these groups; nor is disadvantaged by any conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justified. We welcome applications from Black and Minority Ethnic candidates and acknowledge our responsibility to mitigate against racial discrimination.
Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Islington Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.
Islington Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and we are committed to providing support to applicants who request reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process and throughout their career with us.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff, and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are also committed to flexible working and will consider requests where possible.
Islington Council also operates random drug or alcohol testing for safety critical roles or for where there may be just cause.
To apply for this position please use the online application process. Please note that the council only accepts online applications, no CVs or alternative forms of applications are accepted. If you are unable to use the online process please contact the Recruitment team on 020 7527 2155 or e-mail recruitment@islington.gov.uk