Tree Planting Officer (PO1)

Enfield Council is seeking a Tree Planting Officer to oversee tree planting and maintenance across corporate land in London. The role involves managing projects, sourcing funding, collaborating with community volunteers, and ensuring compliance with arboricultural best practices. The officer will work closely with the Watercourses team for sustainable drainage projects and provide technical expertise to the council and public. The position requires strong organizational skills and budget management.
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JOB ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

Post Title and Number: Tree Planting Officer

Grade: PO1 Dept: Environment and Communities

Service/Section/Team: Parks and Open Spaces – Redevelopment and Environmental Works – Arboricultural Team

Reports to (title): Principal Arboricultural Officer

Purpose of the Role:

Parks and Open Spaces is within the Communities and Environment Directorate under the responsibility of the Director Parks, Leisure, and Culture. The Redevelopment and Environmental Works team provides a consultancy service for the project management, design, and supervision of Environmental and Civil Engineering projects and programmes of work from inception to completion.

The Arboricultural team within Redevelopment and Environmental Works is responsible for managing the Council’s corporate tree stock.

The Tree Planting Officer will lead in the organisation and implementation of the planting and establishment of the trees. The post holder will be required to manage conflicting priorities as well as dealing with third party queries, and reactive issues.

The post holder will source funding opportunities and promote active participation of project partners, community volunteers to deliver and support the planting and aftercare / maintenance of the new tree stock from inception to completion.

The postholder will manage tree planting and aftercare of tree planting on all corporate land including highways, housing, parks, and leasehold farms.

The post holder will also work closely with the Watercourses team to assist in the design and incorporation of new and replacement tree planting into all Sustainable Drainage (SuDS), wetlands and Natural Flood Management projects – including the largescale woodland creation project at Enfield Chase.

The postholder will work with a range of external contractors to deliver all tree planting programs to ensure high quality work is undertaken as required to the highest standard in accordance with prevailing best practice and codes of practices.

The postholder will provide technical and professional expertise across the Council relating to a range of issues such as tree pit designs, aftercare and maintenance regimes, planting schemes, along with general advice to members of the public.

The arboricultural industry has a strong safety focus and the postholder will be responsible for ensuring compliance with all relevant arboricultural best practises and legal requirements.

Dimensions including Structure Chart:

1. Annual budgetary amounts with which the role is either directly or indirectly concerned:

The Tree Planting Officer will be responsible for managing maintenance programmes and projects with budgetary control under the direction of the Principal Arboricultural Officer.

Total budgets will vary according to work programmes and may typically be up to £500,000 per annum.

Additional projects may attract additional specific funding.

2. Structure Chart:
Principal Arboricultural Officer

Tree Planting Officer PO1

Arboricultural Woodland Officer SO2

Arboricultural Officer
PO1

Arboricultural Officer
PO1

Arboricultural Officer
PO1

Arboricultural Officer – Parks
PO1

3. Number of direct reports:

None, however, the postholder may be required to provide technical guidance to less experienced members of the team, including trainees and apprentices.

A key part of the postholder’s role will be to instruct, direct and supervise contractors and specialist consultants for a range of planting schemes and concurrent projects.

The postholder may also be required to issue works instructions to operatives within the In-house Tree Team (IHTT), monitor the operatives work and check compliance with operating procedures and legislative requirements such as health and safety.

4. Nature of reporting relationship between post holder and line manager:

The postholder will work with minimal direct supervision daily and will work on their own initiative to deliver their projects and programmes.

However, they will have regular contact with their Principal Arboricultural Officer to discuss progress and receive support on complex issues, to contribute to team initiatives and to assist with ad-hoc requests, which may be varied and unpredictable.

5. Any other relevant statistics

The postholder will be required to respond quickly and effectively to frequently changing circumstances and to manage conflicting priorities.

The postholder must be able to travel to sites and be physically able to undertake and manage work on sites outside of the office.

Work sites may involve high risk environments and may involve working on the highway, or in other hazardous environments, for which the postholder will be expected to use their specialist expertise to ensure the safety of themselves and others.

The postholder will be required to work alone and, particularly when on sites, to make decisions using their expert technical knowledge when under pressure to ensure public safety.

The postholder will be required to be work flexibly, occasionally working outside normal working hours to respond to work demands.

The post holder will be IT literate with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook.

Key Accountabilities:

Accountabilities
Anticipated level of time
H = High
M = Medium
L = low
1. To support The Principal Arboricultural Officer in the implementation, planning and delivery and continued aftercare year on year of the Boroughs Tree Planting programmes.
H
2. To ensure that appropriate site inspections and surveys in respect of delivering the programme are in place for monitoring and client feedback. To submit technical and financial bids for new funding sources to supplement existing budgets. To be proactive in seeking new funding opportunities.

H
3. To provide technical advice, prepare design plans, drawings, and costings to assist in meeting targets in accordance with current policies, The Council Plan and manifesto pledges.
H
4. To ensure appropriate communication with residents, Members, stakeholders and third parties regarding Tree Planting schemes and projects. To deal with specific enquiries and problems.
H
5. Identifying and sourcing potential internal and external funding including grants. Writing and submit funding applications. Management of grant funding obligations.
H
6. Ensure that data is recorded onto the Councils tree data base for asset management and stock control.
M
7. To give works instructions and supervise the Arboricultural term contractor ensuring works are delivered in accordance with the Conditions of Contract and that the quality of workmanship is in accordance with the specification. To undertake contract management activities, ensuring the maintenance of adequate records, accurate valuations, and contractual payments. To procure, appoint and manage specialist contractors or consultants for specific projects when required. To work collaboratively with contractors and other relevant organisations to maximise the opportunity for innovative and sustainable solutions.

M
8. To provide technical expertise and input into Council-wide initiatives such as regeneration, sustainability, and community projects. To prepare reports, plans drawings, costings and attend working groups and meetings.

M
9. To check and control expenditure and financial commitments in relation to the Tree Planting and aftercare schemes

M
10. To support the Principal Tree Officer as a main point of contact, communicating details of tree planting initiatives and projects, with elected members, internal departments, external groups and organisations, including public consultations and media.
M
11. Investigate and respond to complaints
M
12. Any other duties reasonably requested by management.

M
13. Carry out all accountabilities in compliance with the Council’s Policies and Procedures.

M

Key Relationships (Internal and External):

Internal:

The postholder will have regular contact with the Principal Arboricultural Officer and Group Engineer and may receive requests directly from the Head of Service or Director. He/she may occasionally be required to liaise with the Executive Director in response to specific issues when requested.

Regular contact with other members of the Council’s Arboricultural Team to manage and monitor work productivity.

Regular contact with Councillors, both verbally and in writing, in connection with queries relating to Tree Planting and aftercare. Occasional specific meetings with the Lead Council Member for Environment.

To have regular dialogue with Project Engineers regarding the inclusion of new planting schedules in planned projects throughout the Borough.

To have regular dialogue with other Council officers regarding any maintenance or improvement schemes that may affect trees and with Project Engineers regarding the inclusion of new planting schedules in planned schemes within corporate land but predominantly with relation to trees situated within Highways, Parks and Housing service areas.

External:

To have regular contact with the public relating to new tree planting species choice and aftercare of young trees.

To have regular contact with the Arboricultural Contractor and other specialist contractors/consultants, as part of the performance management and administration of contractors’ work.

To represent the Borough at a professional level on working parties and technical groups with other local authorities and external agencies when requested by the Principal Arboricultural Officer or the Group Engineer.

Equality and Diversity:

The Council has a strong commitment to achieving equality in its service to the community and the employment of people and expects all employees to understand, comply with and promote its policies in their own work.

Health and Safety:

The post holder shall ensure that the duties of the post are undertaken with due regard to the Council’s Health and Safety Policy and to their personal responsibilities under the provisions of the Health and Safety at work Act 1974 and all other relevant subordinate legislation.

For a more detailed definition of these responsibilities, refer to the current versions of the Corporate Health & Safety Policy, Group Safety Policy and employee information leaflet entitled "Health & Safety Policy; Guidance on Staff Health & Safety Responsibilities".

Corporate Health and Safety Responsibilities
All employees have personal responsibilities to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others. This means:

1. Understanding the hazards in the work they undertake;
2. Following safety rules and procedures;
3. Using work equipment, personal protective equipment, substances, and safety devices correctly; and
4. Working in accordance with the training provided and only undertaking tasks where appropriate training has been received.

Employees shall co-operate with the Council by allowing it to comply with its duties towards them. This requires employees to:

· take part in safety training and risk assessments and suggest ways of reducing risks; and
· take part in emergency evacuation exercises.

Employees shall report all accidents, ‘near miss’ incidents and work related ill health conditions to their manager/supervisor/team leader.

Employees shall read the Corporate Health & Safety – Organisation Part B Policy to ascertain and understand their responsibilities as an employee, line manager, Assistant Director or Director of the Council.

Information Security:

In order to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of Council information, including information provided by customers, partner organisations, and other third parties, where applicable, employees will comply with the Council’s Information Security Policy.

Statement of Commitment to Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults through safer employment practice:

Enfield Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Safe recruitment of staff is central to this commitment, and the Council will ensure that its recruitment policies and practices are robust, and that selection procedures prevent unsuitable people from gaining access to children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff employed to work with or on behalf of children and young people in the Council must be competent.

All staff working with Children & Vulnerable Adults should be aware of, and share the commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults when applying for posts at Enfield Council.

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Job Role Profile and Person Specification
Published 18/10/2010
Last revised 24.9.20
PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title: Arboricultural Officer Grade: PO1

Department: Place Team: Highway Services

HOW TESTED
Application – A
Test – T
Interview – I
Job Specifics – Skills, Experience, Knowledge & Abilities

(Management information; In this section you should list between 4 and a maximum of 6 essential recruitment and selection criteria and 2 desirable criteria). Criteria number 1 should only be used if a regular and intrinsic part of the role is customer facing- please check here for further information. The information you provide in this section will be used in the recruitment application process to assess the suitability of job applicants.

Essential:
1. Proven knowledge and experience in tree planting, species choice and aftercare, with a strong focus on asset management principles, with the ability to interpret and apply relevant legislation, codes of practice and procedures to develop strategies and policies relating to the delivery of tree planting projects.

2. Ability to write and submit, and manage grant funding applications, including identifying and sourcing internal and external funding opportunities.

3. Ability to develop and implement asset management systems and process data and other IT systems relating to the tree planting and management of borough wide trees.

4. Ability to make decisions using own judgement, and to work independently when required.

5. Ability to instruct and supervise Contractors, volunteer groups, and other specialists ensuring effective contract and performance management including safe working practices.

6. Experience of liaising with the public, Council members, and third parties in order to ensure effective communication and resolution of any disputes or issues arising from the work. Experience of providing specialist advice to both internal and external stakeholders, at a level commensurate with this post.

Desirable:

1. Experience of managing tree assets within a local authority environment

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Behaviours

Appropriate behaviours are key to the delivery of our vision for Enfield.

We want staff who will work collaboratively, flexibly and constructively, and exhibit this ethos in all their dealings with residents, colleagues and partners. Our leaders will be exemplars of the following behaviours and encourage them in staff at all levels;

Take Responsibility
We want staff who are willing to make decisions and be accountable for them. Staff should have a positive can-do attitude where they see problems as challenges which can be overcome. They should accept responsibility for service delivery, be clear about their service offer and deliver what they promise.

Open, Honest and Respectful
We want staff who are comfortable and confident to acknowledge the difficulties and the barriers they face. They should also be able to constructively challenge the way things are done where there is evidence that it impedes service delivery. Challenge should be conducted in a professional, courteous manner with the aim of reaching a mutually agreeable resolution.

Listen and Learn
We want staff who are prepared to actively listen and reflect on customer concerns with a view to understanding the customer’s point of view. Staff should be able to receive constructive criticism and be prepared to adapt the way they operate and deliver services where appropriate.

Work Together to find solutions
We want staff who can work collaboratively with other departments and partners, freely sharing their knowledge and skills to identify solutions to address customer concerns.

Candidates: Please ensure you address these behaviours in your responses to the essential (and desirable if applicable) criteria above.

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Competencies:

Candidates: Please ensure you address these competencies in your responses to the essential (and desirable if applicable) criteria above.

1. Customer focus
2. Deliver service performance
3. Focus on continuous improvement
4. Political awareness and context

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Qualifications & Professional registration criteria

Candidates: Please ensure you address these qualifications in your responses to the essential (and desirable if applicable) criteria, you will be expected to meet these requirements of the role and they will be explored with you at interview.

1. Relevant technical qualification in arboricultural management (minimum level 3), or a related discipline (or to be able to demonstrate an equivalent level of knowledge and expertise).

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Special requirements

Candidates: Please note you will be expected to meet these requirements of the role and they will be explored with you at interview.

1. The postholder must be able to travel to sites and be physically able to undertake and manage work on sites outside of the office.

2. Work sites may involve high risk environments and may involve working on the highway, or in other hazardous environments, for which the postholder will be expected to use their specialist expertise to ensure the safety of themselves and others.

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We are looking for a motivated Tree Planting Officer to join the Arboricultural team to head-up the implementation and management of our tree planting programme through to establishment.

The post holder will source funding opportunities and promote active participation of project partners, community volunteers to deliver and support the planting and aftercare / maintenance of the new tree stock from inception to completion.

The successful candidate will hold a level 3 qualification in Arboriculture, or have relevant industry experience with tree planting and establishment. They will have good tree identification skills, and species knowledge regarding suitable planting locations will be essential.

They should have good communications and IT skills.

This is an office and site based role. Therefore, they must be able to travel independently from site to site within the Borough of Enfield.

Further information about the role can be found in Job Description.