Your new companyAn upper-tier local authority for a non-metropolitan county in England. Established in 1889, it provides various services such as social care, education support, highways and transport, public health, waste disposal, and economic development. Your new rolePurpose:

• To inspect, assess and report upon the condition of roadside and other trees, ascertain the ownership of trees on private land and provide technical information for the serving of notices to remedy defects. To undertake specific inspections to gather information on the progression of Ash die-back.
• To maintain and update computerised tree inventories and inspection records, issue work instructions to contractors where required, and carry out a range of other forestry and arboricultural related tasks.
• Must be flexible in taking on additional tasks, willing to offer help to staff in other groups, and treat co-operation and support for colleagues as a top priority.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Carry out regular inspections trees adjacent to the highway and on other sites to identify defects which could be hazardous to the public or property, and locate their positions on plans.
• Ascertain the ownership of any trees with defects.
• Prepare reports and associated plans on defective trees so that notices to remedy defects can be sent out.
• Check after appropriate interval whether or not remedial works have been carried out and report back.
• Maintain and update records of tree inspections.
• Create, maintain and update inspection records and inventories of trees in the ownership of the organisation.
• When required, carry out specific inspections of sites to monitor the progression of Ash Die-back and when appropriate, make recommendations on management requirements.
• Prepare reports on the findings of such inspections.
• Input, maintain and extract computer database information.
• When required, issue work instructions to contractors to carry out work identified, including supervision and inspection of work on completion.
• Keep up-to-date with the principles of forestry and arboricultural practice, including identification of tree and shrub species and associated diseases and disorders.
• Take telephone and other technical messages for all senior staff in their absence.
• Assist with the provision of the forestry and arboricultural service, as required.
• Assist in dealing with emergencies and planned events associated with sphere of work by telephone and/or personal attendance on site as required.
• Occasionally, this may include evenings, early mornings, weekends, Bank Holidays etc. (for which time off in lieu or overtime will be allowed).
• Such other duties as may be required relating to the function of the Department, as directed by the Manager/Forestry Team Leader.

What you'll need to succeed

• BTEC or equivalent Level 3 in Arboriculture, Level 4 desirable
• Experience in forestry/ arboriculture, including decision-making on tree health, structural safety, pathogens and appropriate preventative remedial work.
• Membership with the Arboricultural Association is desirable.
• Knowledge of identifying trees and shrubs and tree pathogens.
• Recognition of physiological tree defects, diseases and disorders.
• Knowledge of visual tree assessment
• Map reading skills
• Able to compose detailed reports appropriately levelled at the recipient
• Good communication - must be tactful and be able to deal sympathetically with the public, tree-owners, etc
• Able to work to time limits and to handle a number of activities at once.
• Physically fit - able to walk for sustained periods and for long distances often on uneven ground and in inclement weather
• Full driving licence required at all times
• Be domestically located so as to be capable of visiting all sites within the area without difficulty and within a reasonable response time
• Willingness to work when required (occasionally including evenings/early mornings/weekends/bank holidays etc.)

What you'll get in return

• £15 p/hour (Will progress to £16 once in post)
• Development of tree ID and disease/pathogen ID skills
• Develop your decision making skills

What you need to do nowIf you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.

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