Job: Forestry & Tree Officer

Ref: 0000096D

Location: Truro, Cornwall

Salary: £24,590 - £31,371

Closing Date: 7^th January 2020

Link to job: https://cornwall.taleo.net/careersection/jobdetail.ftl?job=0000096D&lang=en_GB

This role is important delivering the Council's ambitions to protect, enhance and expand our tree and canopy resource in Cornwall, and to deliver Environmental Growth and Forest for Cornwall with the many benefits our tree resource provides to our communities. You will be joining an enthusiastic and committed tree team.

You will work with the Tree Risk Management Officer, helping to deliver our Tree Risk Management Framework across all services and extending its application where appropriate with an initial particular focus on our responses to Ash Dieback and other tree diseases. Our ambition is to ensure the Council is resilient in the face of such challenges.

You will help deliver our strategic response to current and future challenges such as climate change and Forest for Cornwall (where appropriate); promoting a resilient and growing canopy across Cornwall.

As resource allows, you will provide professional advice on arboricultural issues to colleagues within Housing and Strategic Transport and Infrastructure and to the planning service, primarily as a consultee commenting on development management (planning applications), tree works applications (TPOs) and conservation area notifications. You will also support planning colleagues in their assessment simpler/low impact tree works applications. In addition you will comment upon, and inform the making of tree preservation orders and the development of Neighbourhood Plans.

With colleagues you shall identify opportunities to improve the quality of arboricultural outcomes on Council estate and beyond (where appropriate) through:

Significant input into the Ash Dieback action plan development and delivery;

The oversight and audit of commissioned tree works programmes in your geographic area, delivered via our contractor CORMAC;

Identifying opportunities to promote the benefits of trees and woodlands and the work of the service to better achieve our outcomes i.e. tree and woodland environmental protection and growth;

Internal and external partnership and project working i.e supporting the Tree Warden scheme;

Liaising with the public within your area of responsibility and suggesting improvements for our communication contributing to the wider ambitions and development of the Environment Service.

Cornwall Council is committed to safeguarding and is an equal opportunities employer.

About you

You will have a passion for trees and the many benefits they provide us; you will also have an ability to communicate this in a professional and effective manner backed by an up to date knowledge of arboriculture, tree risk management and planning matters (including TPOs and Conservation Areas) or equivalent relevant experience.

You will be a strong team player and have an enthusiasm for constantly seeking improvements and the drive, personal resourcefulness and skills to deliver improvements.

You will have at least 3 years of professional experience and either a level 5 or 6 qualification , equivalent experience or a willingness to achieve this within the next two years.