Arboricultural Consultant in Chelmsford

Overview

Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week. Salary £36,169 to £42,551 per annum. Location: Countywide. Working Style: Anywhere worker. Closing Date: 15 February 2026.

Join Our Growing Arboricultural Team within Place Services at Essex County Council. Are you passionate about trees, sustainability, and making a real impact on the environment?

Why Work For Us

• Varied and Meaningful Work: From tree inventories and safety surveys to development management and veteran tree care, you’ll play a key role in shaping sustainable landscapes for communities and public sector clients, working on a diverse range of projects across the South East.
• Unique Career Experience: Combine local authority tree officer duties with consultancy work. Broaden your skills, take on new challenges, and work alongside a multi-disciplinary team of experts.
• Supportive, Collaborative Culture: An emphasis on personal development and teamwork to deliver sustainable excellence. We prioritise the wellbeing of our team members.
• Competitive Rewards: A competitive salary, a generous benefits and training package, and a truly varied workload.

Based in our offices in Chelmsford, you will work as part of a committed team delivering projects across the south-east.

What We’re Looking For

• Qualified or Aspiring Arboricultural Professionals: You’ll have (or be working towards) a Level 6 qualification in a relevant subject, and ideally be a Qualified Professional Tree Inspector. Membership of a professional body (e.g. M.Arbor.A) is a plus.
• Technical Know-How: Detailed knowledge of tree species, arboricultural principles, and experience applying these in line with legislation, policy, and best practice.
• Strong Communicator: Confident engaging with clients, contractors, and colleagues—both in writing and in person.
• Team Player and Self-Starter: Able to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team, managing projects from concept to completion.
• Digital Skills: Comfortable using specialist software (e.g. GIS, Confirm, Ezytreev) to record, analyse, and present data.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Delivering a wide range of arboricultural services: tree inventories, safety and risk surveys, pest and disease assessments, veteran tree surveys, BS5837 surveys, tree planting and management, and more.
• Managing enquiries about trees and vegetation affecting the public highway, specifying works, and overseeing contractors.
• Collecting, analysing, and presenting data and evidence (including for insurance claims and TPO enforcement).
• Advising on projects of varying scale and complexity, and contributing to policies, plans, and training materials.
• Supporting bids and managing low-value contracts and projects.
• Maintaining strong client relationships and helping drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborating with colleagues to enhance service delivery and team performance.

What You’ll Receive In Return

• Flexible Working: A mix of office-based and flexible working arrangements.
• Personal Growth: Investment in development through training, mentoring, and varied project work.
• Wellbeing Focus: A supportive environment where wellbeing matters.
• Impactful Work: Make a real difference to communities, the environment, and your own development.

Ready to grow your career with us? Apply now and join a team that’s passionate about trees, sustainability, and delivering excellence in arboriculture.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

Further Information

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs. At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you have queries on this role or would like a full copy of the job description, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Further details can be found on our careers page.