Tree and Woodland Creation Officer NOT AVAILABLE

Job Description

Do you have the skills and enthusiasm we are looking for to work within the Environmental Services Team to develop your project skills in an environmental field?

As part of the Environmental Services Team, you will work closely with the award winning Parks and Open Spaces service delivery area where you will be able to expand your skills by working on tree planting projects that improve the quality of Bedford’s parks, nature reserves, amenity spaces and their facilities for the community, visitors and wildlife.

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This is a fantastic opportunity to enhance and gain additional experience within the sector of tree management and woodland creation. The role also offers the opportunity to inspect tree, make recommendation issue works to external contractors, liaise and deal with customer enquiries. As part of the project element of the role you will engage with a variety of partners and community groups to help deliver our planting projects which will enhance Bedford’s Parks and Open Spaces network. You will be working with likeminded people and engaging with partners and the community on a range of challenges and opportunities. You will build on a variety of core skills including developing and sustaining effective working relationships, communication, negotiation and influencing behaviour change.

The Woodland Creation Officer/ Tree Officer will play an active role in a multi-skilled team at Bedford Borough Council and there will be plenty of opportunities to develop your skills and contribute to the direction of the service.

Important elements of the role will be the provision of advice, implementation of tree and woodland management, recording systems and contract management to ensure a healthy, safe and sustainable tree population.

The post will operate in a changing environment, particularly with respect to Climate Change and will therefore require flexibility and innovation.

Key responsibilities:

1. Undertake operational duties around the proactive programme of periodic and regular inspections of the Council tree stock to ensure their Health & Safety and manage any potential impact, in accordance with statutory and corporate asset management obligations/
2. Assist with the operating and updating of the Council’s tree inventory and management software system to ensure delivery of associated work programmes and accurate record keeping.
3. Assist with the delivery and management of the Council’s tree maintenance, husbandry and planting programmes.
4. Report to the Team Leader where members of public have failed to comply with rules and regulations to ensure that all members of the public feel safe and secure.
5. Provide guidance, advice and monitoring to the Council’s arboricultural contractors to ensure that specifications and standards are fully complied with.
6. Provide support to the Team Leader (Open Spaces, Infrastructure and Community Engagement) in gathering information related to public incidents required for any claim hearings.
7. Provide guidance and advice to members of the public around any tree enquiries to ensure that the Council is adhering to the tree management policies and meeting customer service needs.
8. Participate in and contribute to all Health & Safety requirements and operational codes of practice at all times, wearing/ using safety equipment at all times, adhering to training as directed.

Benefits

26 days paid annual holiday plus bank holidays

Salary: £28,000 per annum

Start Date: 1st April 2023

Additional Information

How to apply: If you wish to apply for this role, please submit a CV and short Covering Letter explaining your motivation for applying and briefly addressing the essential criteria for the role (up to 500 words) via the Change Agents UK Careers Page.

Essential Skills

• Knowledge and experience in arboricultural industry, including investigating and specifying Health & Safety and amenity tree management work in either a public highway and/or public realm environment.
• Demonstrable knowledge of tree species and the identification and assessment of structural weakness, decay, pests and diseases and of the effects of tree root systems on builidngs and hard surfaces and the associated recommended remedial action required.
• Demonstrable knowledge of best arboricultural practice and legislative requirements related to all aspects of Health & Safety.
• Ability to plan, prioritise and manage delivery of individual work programme to agreed standards and schedule.
• Able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with a wide range of groups and individuals, including members of the public, members, client departments and external organisations.
• Committed to good customer service, to be able to deal with members of the public who may have queries.
• Self-motivated and capable of showing initiative.
• Excellent knowledge of relevant ICT systems.
• Full clean current driving license and access to a car.

Desired Skills

• Level 2 (or above) arboricultural qualification.

About Company

Change Agents UK:

Change Agents UK Trading Ltd works as a non-profit sustainability employment business and agency, and is wholly-owned by Change Agents UK Charity. Change Agents UK have worked in Sustainability education and employment for 25 years, supporting our partners to create superb opportunities in sustainability, delivering real impact and change and providing training and skills support for our Change Agents on placement.