Ash Dieback Project Manager

We are looking for a project manager to look after Ash Dieback within West Sussex based in Worthing, Chichester or Hickstead.

**Salary**: £37,568 to £40,578.

**Working Pattern**: Full Time, 37 Hours per week.

**Contract Length**:Permanent.

**Location**: Based at either Clapham (Worthing), Drayton (Chichester) or Hickstead depot. With flexible working available.

**Interview Date**:Week commencing XX/XX/XXXX.

The role will include:

- Responsibility for the Ash Dieback Action Plan and delivery of objectives and actions.
- Supervision of the Ash Dieback team which includes Project Support Officers and Arboriculturists.
- Leading on survey work to maintain up-to-date understanding of Tree health and progression of disease.
- Management of contractors delivering survey work and undertaking mass tree felling on the highway network or County Council owned property. This will include performance management and developing work programmes, organising contractors, traffic managementand liaising with landowners to ensure best value is achieved from the works.
- Ensure the County Council meets its obligations in law and provides an environment that is safe and efficient by advising on the implications of ash dieback to tree stock under the Occupier’s Liability Act and negotiating and making decisions with landownersin order to minimise risk to Council land.
- Provide specialist, accurate and timely advice and information to a range of customers (including partner organisations, employees, key stakeholders, departments, and managers), ensuring policies meet legislative requirements and codes of practice.
- Support projects and improvement programmes in specialist service areas and support county-wide initiatives to ensure that projects are completed on time, to budget and to required standards.
- Lead on forums and other groups to share best practice.

**Key Skills**:

- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Ability to organise, plan and meet set targets.
- Skilled in leading a team, able to set and monitor goals, develop individual skills, provide effective team communications.
- Highly developed customer service skills.
- Excellent literacy and numeracy skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Create and maintain effective working relationships.

**Qualifications and/or experience**:

- Educated to degree standard, or equivalent qualification or experience.
- Experience of project management in a forestry, arboriculture, or similar discipline.
- Project Management qualification (e.g. PRINCE 2), or equivalent level of experience.
- Demonstrable evidence of managing an effective, efficient professional quality service to a range of customers and clients.
- Experience of managing and monitoring budgets and projects for a specific service within a specialist, technical service.
- Relevant advanced theoretical or organisational knowledge of systems, procedures and policies associated with operating a demanding and customer focussed service.
- Political awareness when working with members / senior management.
- Sound and accurate IT knowledge, e.g. use of Engineering databases / software and Microsoft Office, in order to carry out service-related processes.
- Full current driver’s licence - you will be required to travel independently around the county.

As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance, and are rewardedfor the work they do.

In addition to working within a great team and a brilliant opportunity you will receive:

- A competitive salary.
- **29** days annual leave + bank holidays.
- A generous pension scheme, employer contribution 5.8% (2.8% above average).
- Training and development opportunities, including coaching and mentoring.
- A range of discounts giving our staff access to hundreds of offers with the opportunity to save over £1,000 a year through our West Sussex Choices benefits platform (Including Samsung, Argos, Wickes, TUI, Deliveroo and Asos).
- Discounted membership at selected local sports and fitness centres.
- A range of commuting and business travel discount and initiatives.

To apply, upload your CV and cover letter explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our websiteas, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.

**You will need to be able to travel independently to various sites around the county. There is a regular and intrinsic requirement to communicate in English with members of the public.