Tree Surgeon

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Forestry Tree Surgeon to join our team that is an Arboricultural Association ARB Approved contractor, helping to deliver a best value, customer-focused service throughout Leicestershire and occasionally, surrounding counties. You will help provide a comprehensive and professional arboriculture service for all trees under the jurisdiction of Leicestershire County Council, and other clients in the private sector in the County of Leicestershire and surrounding counties.

Responsibilities include:

• Tree works such as Crown Lifting, Dead Wooding, Crown Reductions, Pollarding and Felling
• Occasionally young tree and shrub maintenance
• Tree and shrub planting
• Public rights of way maintenance

You will be required to attend training courses, conferences, seminars or other meetings to undertake Continuous Professional Development relating to Arboriculture Association Standards. The nature of the work may involve activities outside of normal working hours, including at night, weekends and public holidays, in all weather conditions to meet the needs of the service. This role is a safety-critical post and is subject to random drug and alcohol testing in accordance with our policies and procedures.

About You

To apply for this post, you must have:

• National Highways Sector Scheme 12 / National recognised Certificate in Arboriculture / Horticulture
• Relevant NPTC, (CS) Units including Maintain & Operate Chainsaw, Tree Felling, Tree climbing, Use of Chainsaw from rope & harness & Conduct Arborial rescue
• Pesticides Application Certificate PA1 & PA6
• Valid Driving Licence
• Mobile Elevated Works Platform license or demonstrable evidence of the skills and experience required, together with a commitment to attain the essential qualifications

Extensive knowledge of forestry and arboriculture specifications, materials, and workmanship requirements and of the primary identification of tree species, including Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) to assess general tree condition, and understand basic fungal brackets. Extensive knowledge of safe working practices when using plant and machinery, legislation including driver’s hours, PPE and manual handling and Aerial Rescue procedures. Knowledge of Chapter 8 Traffic Management Regulations, RIDDOR, Noise at Work Regulations and Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 including COSHH.

The ability to abide by the Industry Code of Practice for Arboriculture, specifically relating to Working at Height Operations, including pruning and free fall dismantling, rigging, crane, MEWP and ladders and be able to carry out safe and effective aerial rescue operations both drills and on live sites. The ability and willingness to work with everyone in the team, to use own initiative in planning and prioritising and to respond confidently to customers & colleagues with understanding & diplomacy whilst maintaining an objective & professional stance. Core communication skills, both written and verbal, are well organized, able to prioritise own workload, can remain calm & positive in challenging circumstances and can constructively challenge poor performance and/or behaviour. You must also have an understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion.

In addition, we expect you to share our commitment to our values and will be asked to evidence them as part of the selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability.

Interested in Flexible Working? We are keen to support employees to balance their working life with other commitments. Wherever possible, we will consider flexible working arrangements that suit individual circumstances while meeting the needs of the Council.

If you would like to discuss possible flexible working options, please contact the person named below.

How to Apply / Contact

For informal discussion, please contact:

• Mark Aylott, Supervisor, Forestry – Telephone: 0116 305 7301
• John Benson, Works Manager North – Tel: 0116 305 5365

Leicestershire County Council is an inclusive organisation which is on a journey to embed equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, including Ethnically Diverse and LGBTQ+ communities and people with disabilities. Applicants with a disability who meet the criteria listed in the 'About You' section will be offered an interview under the Disability Confident Employer Scheme.

Upload a supporting statement explaining how you meet the criteria. See the How to Apply section on our career site for more information. Note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications. If you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.