Graduate Tree Officer

Located at the heart of the Marches, the historic border countryside where England meets Wales, Herefordshire is one of the most rural counties in England. Beautiful, unspoilt countryside, two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, historic parklands, the cathedral city of Hereford and attractive market towns, provide an excellent quality of life. Trees form an integral part of the Herefordshire landscape, with a total percentage of tree canopy covering nearly 20% of the county and well above the national average and over 4870 trees or woodlands protected with a Tree Preservation Order our treescape is a valued landscape feature within this rural county. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate Graduate to be part of a wider Economy and Environment Service that comprises specialisms including Highways, Ecology, Landscape Architecture, Archaeology and Building Conservation. As a Graduate Tree Officer you will be well supported by a Park and Leisure Centre Commissioning Manager to develop your skills. What you’ll will doing….. * To undertake assessments in the creation of Tree Preservation Orders and to assist the Tree Officer in the preparation of all reports and documents to support this process. * To undertake onsite tree inspections and survey work. * To support the Tree Officer in inspecting and cataloguing trees throughout the Local Authority. * To respond to customer queries in accordance with service standards. * Identifying, monitoring and recording of the Ash tree stock on Highways land and the Council’s own estate. * To provide technical expertise on arboricultural matters to the planning service. * To provide written technical reports for applications to undertake works to trees. * To provide specialist advice for the delivery of council led projects on biodiversity and tree strategies. * To prepare and record data relating to relevant performance indicators. * To support the team in the wider delivery of Green Highway projects and advice as appropriate. About you….. * You will have a Degree or vocational qualification in an arboriculture, horticulture or other countryside/ecology related disciplines. * LANTRA Basic Tree Survey and Inspection (desirable). * A desire to work towards membership of a relevant professional institute, e.g. Arboricultural Association * Knowledge of tree legislation, standards and guidelines, survey techniques, and related to trees and hedgerows. * An understanding of the role of a tree officer in a local planning authority. * Knowledge of planning and regulatory issues regarding works to trees in Conservation Areas. * An understanding of use of GIS mapping systems for data analysis and the context of recording and interpreting of data of varying types. * Knowledge of planning and regulatory issues regarding works to trees protected by Tree Preservation Orders. * A basic knowledge of Pests and Diseases. * Knowledge and experience of inputting, retrieving and updating information on computer systems. * An understanding of the process of serving Tree Preservation Orders. * A basic understanding of tree cultivation and management. * The ability to accurately assess trees and make judgements based upon their health and condition. * Specialist knowledge of tree species and tree related diseases. * The ability to prepare and present technical advice in report form for a range of target audiences. * Good time management skills, with the ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines. * Driving license and ability to travel throughout the county. * Ability to undertake site visits and surveys, on rough terrain. The Perks….. Competitive Pension Scheme Generous Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum Flexible working: flexi-time, job-share, part-time hours and, in some instances, home working Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling Payment of professional membership fees Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts. Apply today