Utility Arboricultural Surveyor

**About the Role**

**Base Location**:Lochgilphead

**Salary**: £31,339 - £35,892 (depending on skills and experience) + a range of other benefits to support your family, finances and wellbeing.

**Working Pattern**: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available

We invest millions every year to make sure that our network is in the best condition possible to minimise the risk of power cuts and to ensure the safety of the public. During high winds and storms, trees can contact our equipment and cause power cuts, and so we cut them down or trim them back to keep the lights on. As well as installing the latest technologies and carrying out regular maintenance, we have our in-house tree-cutting team to make sure that trees and vegetation are kept away from our overhead lines and equipment.

Being part of the tree cutting team, you will be involved with managing a highly skilled team who maintain trees & vegetation near the distribution network. Working with safety at the forefront of all activities, you will work with the team to manage a cyclical programme of tree cutting operations.

To see a snapshot of what a day in the life of a Tree Cutter looks like, please click on the link below:
**The key duties & responsibilities of the Utility Arboriculture Surveyor are**:

- Survey the Network to identify vegetation that needs to be managed & negotiate robust consent/assents with landowners & external organisations, whilst maintaining transparent and accurate tracking and monitoring of performance, supplying outputs to the business.
- Detail the safest & most efficient work method for each site and make up work packs for the tree cutters with maps & other relevant documentation.
- Assist in the development and implementation of a 'best-in-class’ team of utility arborists whilst undertaking a range of auditing activities focusing on safety, quality and service.
- Co-ordinate and lead key projects on site involving complex or challenging situations including storm response work.
- Work with the tree cutting management group to identify efficient ways of working whilst maintaining highest standards of safety and providing great customer service.

**Your Skills and Experience**

To be considered for this role, we would love you to have:

- Previous experience in tree cutting, forestry or arboriculture; similar capacity experience is considered.
- Knowledge of the electricity network / experience of working with power lines, and climbing would be highly advantageous, however for the right applicant, full training will be provided.
- You should be comfortable working outdoors and you should already hold relevant NPTC certificate units for the use of chainsaws, and a qualification or certificates including NPTC UA5 would be a bonus, however not essential.
- A full, current driving licence is essential travel will be required. Enthusiasm and drive with a flexible approach to work and an ability to adapt to changing business and project priorities; you may have to work away from home occasionally, so this is key.
- Able to use a computer & basic software such as Office 365 (Word, Excel, OneDrive & Teams).

**Whilst the above skills and experience are important, we also have several personal competencies that we look for in our future employees.**
- High regard for safety, embedding yourself in our safety culture and adhering to guidelines in everything you do is a key priority:

- Good communication skills & comfortable liaising with stakeholders at all levels, both internal and external,
- Good organisational skills with an ability to work to deadlines.
- Good customer relationship skills, and a commitment to providing a high-level service at all time,

**About our Business**

SSEN Distribution powers 3.8 million homes and businesses in communities across central southern England and the north of Scotland. Our team of more than 3,500 people keep customers connected to a safe and reliable supply of electricity whilst developing the flexible networks that are vital to achieving net zero. By enabling a smarter, more resilient electricity network we're ensuring our local communities continue to receive the power they need, both now and in the future. We are consistently investing and innovating to improve network resilience and future-proof power supplies for life's changing demands, from rolling out large scale EV charging schemes to supporting small community generation projects.

**What's in it for you?**

An excellent package with 34 days holiday entitlement, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, discounted healthcare, salary sacrifice car leasing and much more, view our full benefits package on our careers site.

**Next Steps**

Before commencing employment with SSE, you'll be required to fully complete our pre-employment screening process consisting of a basic criminal records and credit check.

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