Trees and Landscape Officer

Help shape a greener, safer Richmond upon Thames as a Trees & Landscape Officer. Join our dedicated team managing the borough’s trees and delivering the Council’s statutory arboricultural services. You’ll carry out tree condition surveys, prepare work specifications, support effective contractor management, assess Tree Work Applications, administer Tree Preservation Orders, and undertake enforcement when required. You’ll respond to enquiries, attend emergency callouts, expand canopy cover through specialist tree care and new planting, and develop systems that strengthen the Council’s tree service.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct tree asset and condition surveys to assess trees and gather data for appropriate management.
• Prepare work instructions for Council’s arborist contractors and collaborate to ensure high standards.
• Deliver excellent customer service, managing expectations and communicating decisions aligned with Tree Management Policies.
• Apply legal instruments to protect trees and recommend protection actions for public and private property.
• Investigate unauthorised tree works and support enforcement action.
• Attend emergency callouts, assess risks during storm events or hazardous trees.
• Provide expert arboricultural evidence for litigation, ensuring decisions are defensible.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Level 4 Qualification in Arboriculture (or equivalent).
• Experience of undertaking tree inspections and surveys that inform management decisions.
• Excellent understanding of legislation underpinning tree management and public safety.
• Experience working with contractors to achieve high‑quality outcomes.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good understanding of climate change impacts and tree management responses.

Equal Opportunities

Richmond and Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We promote equality and diversity and build a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Council. We are a Disability Confident employer. If you require reasonable adjustments through the recruitment and selection process, please let us know. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.