Arboricultural Officer Wanted - Huddersfield Area

About the job

An exciting opportunity has opened for an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Arboricultural Officer to help us help conserve, manage and shape the green infrastructure of Kirklees and support the delivery of the Council’s ambitious plans to enhance its natural heritage.  

Kirklees is a diverse part of West Yorkshire with a rich and varied natural environment, spread across the former mill towns and villages of the Colne, Holme, Calder and Spen valleys and extensive areas of Pennine countryside bordering the Peak District National Park.

The Council has ambitious plans to develop the tree coverage across the district, while supporting its sustainable growth and maintaining its existing green assets.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced colleague, with a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Tree protection and management practice, TPO legislation, Planning policy guidance and Tree-protection related case law.

As Arboricultural Officer you will be responsible for carrying out surveys and assessments for Tree Work applications and the making of Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), as well as providing advice in relation to development discussions and Planning applications.

You will be part of a team of customer-focused specialists, reporting to the Team Leader for Conservation, Design, Ecology and Trees, working, alongside the existing Arboricultural Officer.

You will take responsibility for your own Tree Works caseload and provide expert advice to colleagues on developments affecting trees, as well as helping manage the planned programme of Tree Preservation Order reviews. 

To be considered for this role it is essential that you have the following:

• A relevant qualification in Arboriculture or related subject, and/or experience in the field and experience of dealing with Tree Works in relation to Development Management.
• Some experience in administering planning controls and regulations in relation to trees.
• Good knowledge of Planning law, policy and procedures relating to trees.
• Strong IT skills to support working with packages such as Word, Excel, and Access, as well as specific IT packages.
• Good written communication skills to be able to produce clear reports and documentation.
• The ability to work well under pressure and manage competing priorities, meet tight deadlines, maintain a customer-focused outlook and enjoy working within a small supportive team.
  
  

At Kirklees council we offer a comprehensive total rewards package for our staff, consisting of competitive pay, health and wellbeing programme, volunteering programmes, staff discounts and much more. 

Preferred Skills

• As Arboricultural Officer you will be responsible for providing arboricultural advice in relation to pre-application discussions and planning applications. You will provide input to the Council’s Local Plan and policies in relation to arboricultural issues within agreed targets, timescales, and priorities.
• • You will carry out surveys and assessments for tree applications and the making of Tree Preservation Orders.
• • You will respond to enquiries from applicants, agents, and developers; advising on planning and related permissions and the procedures to be followed.
• • You will discuss, consult, and negotiate on proposals; prepare reports and formulate recommendations on planning applications.
• • You will prepare the Council’s written statements for planning and enforcement appeals or to initiate enforcement action against breaches of planning control in relation to trees. You will attend public inquiries, informal hearings and/or court proceedings to give evidence on behalf of the Council.
• • You will need the ability to carry out site visits including the inspection of trees in relation to applications for work to them and be in possession of a full driving license.
• • Advise on and make recommendations on a range of planning applications, the application of Local Plan policies and enforcement enquiries in relation to trees
• • Carry out tree surveys and assessments on site.
• • Act as the Council’s expert witness, prepare reports, provide statements, and give evidence in appeals and prosecutions in Court.
• • Adopt an approach which considers legislation, policy and relevant procedures and protocols.
• • Deal with applications and enquiries confidentially and in a timely and sensitive manner.
• • Take a proactive approach to ensure work is planned to meet targets, standards, and deadlines.
• • Effectively use IT systems and maintain accurate electronic case files

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About the Company

Kirklees Council

Kirklees is set in the heart of West Yorkshire and has a growing population of 425,500 (source: Kirklees Fact Sheets, Population and households, November 2013). With the two major centres of Huddersfield and Dewsbury it also encompasses the smaller towns of Batley, Birstall, Cleckheaton, Denby Dale, Heckmondwike, Holmfirth, Kirkburton, Marsden, Meltham, Mirfield and Slaithwaite. We are a metropolitan single tier authority, the 13th biggest local authority in the UK in terms of population. We have an elected Leader and Cabinet structure, and a very talented and dedicated workforce.