Location
Hillingdon, London

Hours
Full Time - 36 hours per week

Salary
£41,511 per annum

About the Role
Hillingdon is one of London's greenest boroughs, home to an extensive and diverse tree population that makes a vital contribution to the local environment and the wellbeing of our residents. We are looking for an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Arboricultural Officer to join our Green Spaces team and help manage, protect and enhance this important asset. This is an exciting opportunity for a suitably qualified arboricultural professional to play a key role in delivering the Council's tree management responsibilities. You will undertake inspections of the Council's tree stock, assess tree-related service requests, develop specifications for tree works, manage contractors and contribute to the delivery of our Tree Strategy. You will also support planning, highways, housing and other services by providing expert arboricultural advice. Working across the borough, you will be involved in a varied workload including Tree Preservation Orders, Conservation Area notifications, tree risk management, pest and disease control, insurance claims, resident enquiries and woodland management initiatives. No two days are the same, and you will have the opportunity to make a real difference to Hillingdon's landscape and environment.

About Us
At Hillingdon, we put our residents first. We are committed to protecting and enhancing our green infrastructure while delivering high-quality, value-for-money services. Joining our Green Spaces team means becoming part of a forward-thinking organisation that values professional development, innovation and collaborative working.

What We Offer
In return, we offer: a competitive local government pension scheme, generous annual leave entitlement, ongoing professional development opportunities, flexible working arrangements where operationally appropriate, employee discounts and wellbeing benefits, and the opportunity to help shape and protect one of London's most significant tree populations. We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.

Benefits include flexible working hours, a standard 36-hour workweek for full-time staff, generous holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, discounts at council-owned leisure centres and swimming pools, salary sacrifice schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions, a cycle to work scheme with bicycle parking, lockers and showers at the Civic Centre, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme and Credit Union membership, Perkbox benefits offering various discounts, mental health support and counselling services including 24-hour confidential advice and legal support for employees and their immediate families, travel support with season ticket loans and free car parking, and recognised trade union memberships.

Experience
Recent UK arboricultural experience, ideally within a local authority environment. Experience of carrying out tree inspections and recording findings accurately using electronic management systems. Experience of contractor management and quality assurance. A good understanding of tree legislation, including Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Areas.

About You
A motivated and customer-focused professional who is passionate about arboriculture and committed to delivering excellent public services. Strong communication skills with the ability to explain technical matters clearly to residents, councillors and colleagues. Ability to work across the borough and hold a full UK driving licence.

Qualifications
A qualification in Arboriculture, Forestry or a related discipline (Level 4 or equivalent experience). PTI certification is desirable, although support may be available for the right candidate to obtain this qualification.