Greenspace Policy Officer (Trees And Woodlands)

Job Description

Greenspace Policy Officer (Trees And Woodlands) PKC09607
£32,210 - £35,532
Community Greenspace Team, Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth PH1 5GD

If you want to help look after the Council's trees and woodlands in Perthshire's Big Tree Country, this is the job for you. The post holder will  cover the 2000 square miles of rural Highland Perthshire and urban landward areas working as part of the Community Greenspace Team.

Community Greenspace (CG) manages Council greenspace land including parks, countryside sites and graveyards and works with active community volunteers to improve their local area.

The post is full time, permanent and based at the Council Office in Perth (Pullar House), and home working is supported.

The role is policy based and focused on managing the Council's trees and woodlands. As such the role leads on: updating and implementing tree and woodland policies including the Forest Plan; undertaking tree surveys principally for risk assessment in parks; advising on tree and woodland for management and master plans for parks and countryside sites including submitting applications for funding.

The role supports other CG sections who lead on; contract management and maintenance; project design and implementation; public and community engagement and voluntary action. Public enquiries regarding trees on Council land are largely answered by the area based Rangers with specialist support when required from the post holder.

TPOs and planning applications are not part of this role unless they affect Council managed trees.  

The role will also contribute to other policy areas such as road side trees, climate change and biodiversity and is line managed by the Greenspace Policy Coordinator.

The Individual

The role requires: a minimum HND in Arboriculture or equivalent or equivalent experience in work related discipline; understanding of arboriculture, tree & woodland ecology & related legislation; experience in developing and writing policies and strategies;  ability to carry out risk assessment based tree surveys; have good organisational skills, ability to plan work, manage time & keep accurate records; ability and commitment to communicate effectively and politely with employees and members of the public;  ability to use database and other computer systems (ideally including GIS).

Although office based, a substantial amount of site work requiring a reasonable level of fitness is required. 

Broader environmental/ecological knowledge or qualifications would be an advantage.

If you would like any more information regarding this vacancy, please contact Calum Bachell, Greenspace Co-Ordinator on 01738 475258 or by emailing cbachell@pkc.gov.uk 

When completing your application for this post, please ensure you provide current contact details (including e-mail addresses) for two referees, one should be your present or most recent employer. However, if you are an existing employee of Perth & Kinross Council, you are only required to provide reference details for your current employer.

Please APPLY ONLINE. Facilities are available at all public libraries in Perth and Kinross. If you have a disability and require reasonable adjustments, please call 01738 475555 to discuss.

As part of our safer recruitment measures, Perth & Kinross Council carries out rigorous checks on the right to work in the UK, qualifications, employment history, including references, and fitness to undertake the post.

Some jobs may have been traditionally carried out predominately by one gender, but we would encourage you to apply if you meet the requirements, irrespective of your gender.

A healthy work life balance is important to Perth & Kinross Council and we provide supportive management and flexible working arrangements to help you achieve a healthy work life balance. You will have access to training and support for continued professional development.

Perth & Kinross Council welcomes applications from former armed forces personnel/reservists. Many of the skills picked up during your military career could be transferred directly into a role with local government.

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