Tree Officer

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 5pm

Pay: £13.72 - £17.44 per hour

Acorn by Synergie has an exciting for a Tree Officer to join their client's team, part of the Planning service within the Place Directorate - a relatively recently established unitary authority. The Tree Officer role will help to make a positive and professional contribution to the provision of a comprehensive and efficient planning service.

The Dorset area has an outstanding natural and historic environment, with national and international designations; your knowledge of trees and hedges will contribute an important role in conserving the natural heritage that make Dorset so characteristic

This post has no formal supervisory or management responsibilities but the post holder will be expected to lead on projects or particular areas of work, supervise contractors and mentor other staff.

**Responsibilities**:

- Making recommendations and compiling delegated and committee reports
- Advise planning officers of the implications of development proposals upon tree matters
- Monitor agriculture protection measures on development sites
- Make recommendations on the making and updating of Tree Preservation Orders and make recommendations and compile reports on Hedgerow removal notices
- Compile appeal statements, including those for written representations and informal hearings, and attend appeal site visits
- Gather evidence and take appropriate action on alleged breaches under relevant planning legislation including TPOs, conservation areas, and breaches of planning conditions
- Liaise with enforcement officers in development management who will be the overall lead in enforcement cases

Please note that this position has a significant travel requirement, and the need for a vehicle (or transport deemed to be suitable by our client) to be available on most working days in order to carry out normal duties. Employees in positions with a significant travel requirement are required to provide a replacement vehicle if their usual vehicle is not available over an extended period.

Essential requirements:

- Experience of tree preservation orders, conservation areas, and other planning controls
- The ability to write reports
- Use digital mapping system plotting
- Knowledge of tree amenity and landscape principles
- The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post