Tree Planting Officer London, England
Job description
Do you enjoy working in a team?
Are you passionate about tree planting and the role that trees play in safeguarding communities in a changing climate?
Do you have experience of urban tree management and community engagement?
If so…
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Tree Planting Officer to join our Environment and Community Services at the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. You will play a key strategic role in understanding the borough’s existing canopy and planning for a changing climate with resilient tree planting and community engagement being prioritised.
Our goals and vision
The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames is regarded as one of the greenest London Boroughs and has one of the largest parks and open spaces estates in the country and we are responsible for a vast network of trees within highways, parks & open spaces and woodland.
Richmond Council’s Climate Emergency Strategy sets out the importance of trees in adapting to more extreme environmental conditions, planting to increase canopy cover and enhance the benefits provided by new trees is a key priority. The Parks Team is environmentally focussed, and this reflects the views of many people who live in and visit the borough. We want to work in partnership with the community to safeguard and enhance our part of London’s Urban Forest.
About the role
Working within the London Borough of Richmond, the role is to be innovative and responsible for delivering a tree planting and aftercare programme that meets the Council’s commitment to increase the number of trees in the borough. There will be responsibility for assisting in the development and delivery of a Tree Planting Strategy that supports the aims of the borough’s Climate Emergency Strategy. The role involves responsibility for exploring and generating external funding to support tree planting initiatives and for promoting community interest in and care of trees within Council land.
Duties will also extend to privately managed land, exploring how canopy cover can be increased through promoting planting in these areas. Generally, the position is to take a proactive role in supporting the Arboricultural Section and Parks Team in the day-to-day service delivery and the continued development of the service.
You will report to the Arboricultural Manager and assist in the delivery of principal tree, environment and planning related policies.
You will also support the Parks Team by advising and representing the Council on all matters relating to Arboriculture, keeping up-to-date with all relevant legislation, developments and trends within the industry to deliver various improvement projects and support in the continuous improvement of the service.
You will use your skills, knowledge, and experience to build and maintain good working relationships with our stakeholders, contractors, and residents.
To be shortlisted for interview your CV and supporting statement will show:
- Understanding of the role that urban trees play in adapting to a changing climate, specifically in relation to the range of benefits that are provided. Knowledge of the threats that a changing climate bring to the urban forest and how these can be mitigated through management techniques.
- Understanding of the importance of community engagement, specifically in relation to maintaining and expanding a healthy urban forest.
- Conversance with current Arboricultural best practice and how trees fit into and should be managed in accordance with key statutes, including the Town & Country Planning Act 1990, the Owners and Occupiers Liability Act 1957 & 1984, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Highways Act 1980.
- Understanding and application of the principles within the standards and guidance that are in place for tree management within both public and private settings, these include British Standard 8545:2014 (Trees: from nursery to independence in the landscape – Recommendations); British Standard 3998:2010 (Tree Work Operations – Recommendations); and the British National Tree Safety Group Guidance (Common Sense Risk Management of Trees).
- Experience of overseeing tree planting operations, from selection through to establishment in the landscape.
- Experience of contract performance monitoring in an arboriculture setting, developing strategic documentation and undertaking tree assessments, making clear recommendations to ensure tree management in accordance with statutory guidelines.
- Experience of working with others to improve processes and outcomes.
- Experience of surveying and undertaking tree related assessments and specifying work using asset management systems.
- Experience of working with stakeholders such as community groups to achieve project outcomes.
About the team
The successful candidate will be joining a dynamic, ambitious, and experienced Parks Team that actively engages with stakeholders and residents, to ensure that our trees, parks and open spaces meet the needs of the local community and our environment.
Working within Richmond’s Parks and Open Spaces Team, you will find yourself in a very supportive environment.
We work closely with service-related contractors, community groups and volunteer groups, to identify necessary improvements and ensure that our parks and open spaces are safe and welcoming for all.
The Civic Centre is based in the heart of Twickenham and the role will involve a mixture of both office and remote working.
Benefits
At Richmond and Wandsworth Councils, we care more about how you work and what you achieve, rather than where you work on any given day. The difference you can make to our local communities is what really matters most to us, service delivery must always come first. We have carefully considered agile ways of working to provide the best experience for residents, stakeholders and our staff. Our agile working strategy actively supports and encourages a dynamic work environment and daily working experience. Agile working helps put the needs of our staff at the centre of everything we do, so if specific flexible working arrangements helps you with this, feel free to let us know.
Your wellbeing and the flexible way in which you can work is and will remain a key priority for Richmond and Wandsworth Councils. We want you to thrive and feel empowered in your work!
We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working including, working from home, compressed hours and other arrangements. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore. We also offer a generous holiday allowance of 40 paid days (pro rata) including bank holidays and a wide range of learning and development opportunities.
In addition, we offer a comprehensive range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts with many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments.
Indicative Recruitment Timeline
Closing Date: 11:59pm on Sunday 3rd September 2023
Shortlisting Date: Week commencing 4th September 2023
Interview Date: Week commencing 11th September 2023
Useful Information:
The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Please note that the advertised dates for interviews may change due to the current Covid-19 situation. If they do, we will let you know as soon as possible.
We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams.
Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
Important Information:
Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
