Tree & Woodland Creation Officer

**Overview**:
We are seeking to recruit a Tree and Woodland Creation Officer to join the Council’s Parks and Open Spaces team. You will assist with the delivery of a professional aboricultural service which protects, conserves and enhances the Borough’s tree stock andcontributing to high profile tree planting projects.

Important elements of the role will be the provision of advice, implementation of tree and woodland management, recording systems and contract management to ensure a healthy, safe and sustainable tree population.

The post will operate in a changing environment, particularly with respect to Climate Change and will therefore require flexibility and innovation.

Some project management experience is desirable, you’ll need to be able to work to deadlines, and have an organised approach to work planning, and prioritisation.

**We need**:
Do you have the skills and enthusiasm we are looking for to work within the Environmental Services Team to develop your project skills in an environmental field?

As part of the Environmental Services Team, you will work closely with the award winning Parks and Open Spaces service delivery area where you will be able to expand your skills by working on tree planting projects that improve the quality of Bedford’s parks,nature reserves, amenity spaces and their facilities for the community, visitors and wildlife.

We need a dedicated and enthusiastic individual to support the delivery of a number of tree planting projects. To provide a professional arboricultural service in respect of the management of the Council’s tree stock with the aim of fulfilling the Council’sstatutory duties and conserving and enhancing the stock’s asset value. You will work collectively within the Parks and Open Space Team to help the Council achieve its core objectives through the delivery of a number of Planting projects. The role will alsoassist the team with the wider tree protection and inspection programme. This will involve inspecting tree, dealing with customer and the boroughs wider stakeholders.

**Essential**:

- Knowledge and experience in arboricultural industry, including investigating and specifying Health & Safety and amenity tree management work in either a public highway and/or public realm environment.
- Demonstrable knowledge of tree species and the identification and assessment of structural weakness, decay, pests and diseases and of the effects of tree root systems on builidngs and hard surfaces and the associated recommended remedial action required.
- Demonstrable knowledge of best arboricultural practice and legislative requirements related to all aspects of Health & Safety.
- Ability to plan, prioritise and manage delivery of individual work programme to agreed standards and schedule.
- Able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with a wide range of groups and individuals, including members of the public, members, client departments and external organisations.
- Committed to good customer service, to be able to deal with members of the public who may have queries.
- Self-motivated and capable of showing initiative.
- Excellent knowledge of relevant ICT systems.
- Full clean current driving license and access to a car.

**Desirable**:

- Level 2 (or above) arboricultural qualification.

**What’s in it for you?**

This is a fantastic opportunity to enhance and gain additional experience within the sector of tree management and woodland creation. The role also offers the opportunity to inspect tree, make recommendation issue works to external contractors, liaise anddeal with customer enquiries. As part of the project element of the role you will engage with a variety of partners and community groups to help deliver our planting projects which will enhance Bedford’s Parks and Open Spaces network. You will be working withlikeminded people and engaging with partners and the community on a range of challenges and opportunities. You will build on a variety of core skills including developing and sustaining effective working relationships, communication, negotiation and influencingbehaviour change.

You will also be enrolled on to the Change Agents UK skills development programme where you can benefit from the online learning academy and workshops on Sustainability & Skills for the Future, Project Management, Systems Thinking & Creativity.