Tree Officer - Planning
| Posting date: | 24 April 2024 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £45,859 to £45,859 per year, pro rata |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 24 May 2024 |
| Location: | Oxford, Oxfordshire |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 5 days per week |
| Company: | Oxford City Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 002474 |
Summary
The role
Conserving and enhancing the landscape of Oxford is a key responsibility for Oxford City Council. Trees play an intrinsic role in the landscape of Oxford, providing a myriad of social, environmental, and economic benefits for all those who live or work in the city, or come as visitors.
The historic city has a wealth of trees, many in truly outstanding locations such as the college parks and gardens. We also have valuable tree collections from around the world such as in Headington Hill Park, University Parks and the Botanic Gardens. We have over 250 Tree Preservation Orders, and there are more 18 conservation areas and 13 listed parks and gardens, which include a wide range of species in diverse habitats.
Oxford has a higher-than-average city tree canopy cover at over 20%, but there are areas of the city that would benefit from more tree cover. Development pressure, climate change, and an ageing tree population in parts of the city, requires the City Council to apply the highest standards of arboricultural principles and practice in its response to proposed works to protected trees and development management, to maintain and enhance the quality of the local environment. In support of this Oxford City Council has pioneered a progressive planning policy approach to measuring the effects of proposed development on tree canopy cover over time.
In this context we are looking for someone with drive, enthusiasm and initiative who can deliver high quality arboricultural and landscape advice efficiently and effectively. Working in liaison with officers from a range of other disciplines, the successful candidate will be providing advice on planning applications, tree policy development, and dealing with applications/notifications for work to protected trees, and requests for new TPO’s. They will also be providing other specialist advice as needed to Councillors, members of other organisations and members of the public.
Required is a professionally qualified arboriculturalist with good IT, oral and written communication skills, and a passionate urban-forestry ethos. You must have the ability to provide clear professional advice to a range of stake holders who may have complex or conflicting interests. Sound like you? Interested in working in a World Class city? If yes continue below to find out how you apply.
About us
Our ambitious leadership team and dedicated staff are working hard building a world class city for everyone. Oxford City Council has accelerated plans to build more affordable and council housing in the city. We provide services to help reduce inequality and improve the health and wellbeing of Oxford’s residents and are taking a lead on reducing emissions and increasing biodiversity to become a net carbon neutral city of the future.
We are a supportive and collaborative bunch of people working towards shared goals, where new ideas and initiatives are valued. We strive to deliver service excellence, take accountability for our actions and communicate with honestly and respect. There has never been a more exciting time to join us! Help us to build successful places in which to live and work and build a fairer, greener city in which everyone can thrive.
Many of our roles offer flexible or hybrid working.
We offer generous holiday 28 days a year with an additional 4 days after 5 years’ service.
We are committed to supporting career development opportunities and learning and development.
An above average pension offering.
Plus other great benefits including generous subsidised leisure centre (swim/gym) membership.
How to apply
More information is available on the role profile document. Please read this document to ensure that you meet our requirements. More information about working for the Council, our values and vision, is available on our web site.
Applications should be made via our online application system (no CVs please).
For further information and how to apply online, please visit www.oxford.gov.uk
If you are unable to access our website please call 01865 252848.
Note: For roles that require a DBS Certificate (Enhanced and or Barred List check), candidates are required to supply their complete work history. If you are making an application using a CV please ensure you explain any gaps in your work history.
You will be informed whether the first round of interviews will be online or in-person (role-dependent). Please note, for hybrid roles the successful applicant will be expected to work from home. You should ensure that you have reliable and secure wifi access; a suitable workspace and are prepared to undertake distance learning and training.
Closing Date: 27 May 2024
Late applications will not be processed
Interview Date(s): 10 June 2024 and 11 June 2024
For an informal discussion about the post please contact Andrew Murdoch on 01865 252228 or email amurdoch@oxford.gov.uk
We are an equal opportunity employer:
We are striving to become a more inclusive employer and to represent the communities that we support. We have policies in place to ensure that every applicant and employee can flourish and succeed. Currently we are underrepresented in some areas, and would particularly welcome applicants from ethnic and minority communities. All applicants will be given fair consideration for work and will not receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of any protected characteristic.
Conserving and enhancing the landscape of Oxford is a key responsibility for Oxford City Council. Trees play an intrinsic role in the landscape of Oxford, providing a myriad of social, environmental, and economic benefits for all those who live or work in the city, or come as visitors.
The historic city has a wealth of trees, many in truly outstanding locations such as the college parks and gardens. We also have valuable tree collections from around the world such as in Headington Hill Park, University Parks and the Botanic Gardens. We have over 250 Tree Preservation Orders, and there are more 18 conservation areas and 13 listed parks and gardens, which include a wide range of species in diverse habitats.
Oxford has a higher-than-average city tree canopy cover at over 20%, but there are areas of the city that would benefit from more tree cover. Development pressure, climate change, and an ageing tree population in parts of the city, requires the City Council to apply the highest standards of arboricultural principles and practice in its response to proposed works to protected trees and development management, to maintain and enhance the quality of the local environment. In support of this Oxford City Council has pioneered a progressive planning policy approach to measuring the effects of proposed development on tree canopy cover over time.
In this context we are looking for someone with drive, enthusiasm and initiative who can deliver high quality arboricultural and landscape advice efficiently and effectively. Working in liaison with officers from a range of other disciplines, the successful candidate will be providing advice on planning applications, tree policy development, and dealing with applications/notifications for work to protected trees, and requests for new TPO’s. They will also be providing other specialist advice as needed to Councillors, members of other organisations and members of the public.
Required is a professionally qualified arboriculturalist with good IT, oral and written communication skills, and a passionate urban-forestry ethos. You must have the ability to provide clear professional advice to a range of stake holders who may have complex or conflicting interests. Sound like you? Interested in working in a World Class city? If yes continue below to find out how you apply.
About us
Our ambitious leadership team and dedicated staff are working hard building a world class city for everyone. Oxford City Council has accelerated plans to build more affordable and council housing in the city. We provide services to help reduce inequality and improve the health and wellbeing of Oxford’s residents and are taking a lead on reducing emissions and increasing biodiversity to become a net carbon neutral city of the future.
We are a supportive and collaborative bunch of people working towards shared goals, where new ideas and initiatives are valued. We strive to deliver service excellence, take accountability for our actions and communicate with honestly and respect. There has never been a more exciting time to join us! Help us to build successful places in which to live and work and build a fairer, greener city in which everyone can thrive.
Many of our roles offer flexible or hybrid working.
We offer generous holiday 28 days a year with an additional 4 days after 5 years’ service.
We are committed to supporting career development opportunities and learning and development.
An above average pension offering.
Plus other great benefits including generous subsidised leisure centre (swim/gym) membership.
How to apply
More information is available on the role profile document. Please read this document to ensure that you meet our requirements. More information about working for the Council, our values and vision, is available on our web site.
Applications should be made via our online application system (no CVs please).
For further information and how to apply online, please visit www.oxford.gov.uk
If you are unable to access our website please call 01865 252848.
Note: For roles that require a DBS Certificate (Enhanced and or Barred List check), candidates are required to supply their complete work history. If you are making an application using a CV please ensure you explain any gaps in your work history.
You will be informed whether the first round of interviews will be online or in-person (role-dependent). Please note, for hybrid roles the successful applicant will be expected to work from home. You should ensure that you have reliable and secure wifi access; a suitable workspace and are prepared to undertake distance learning and training.
Closing Date: 27 May 2024
Late applications will not be processed
Interview Date(s): 10 June 2024 and 11 June 2024
For an informal discussion about the post please contact Andrew Murdoch on 01865 252228 or email amurdoch@oxford.gov.uk
We are an equal opportunity employer:
We are striving to become a more inclusive employer and to represent the communities that we support. We have policies in place to ensure that every applicant and employee can flourish and succeed. Currently we are underrepresented in some areas, and would particularly welcome applicants from ethnic and minority communities. All applicants will be given fair consideration for work and will not receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of any protected characteristic.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.