Tree and Landscape Officer

Job Category : Planning
Location : Guildhall 2, Royal Borough of Kingston
Hours Per Week : 37.00
Start Date :Immediate start
Start Time : 09:00
End Time : 17:00
Salary: £20.91

Tree & Landscape Officer
Permanent role, based in Kingston
Grade H

Role purpose

The Council is focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for its communities. To do this the Council needs employees who thrive in an agile and networked organisation and who can support continuous improvement within a constructive organisational culture.

In this role you will ensure all development management decisions relating to tree and landscape issues comply with relevant legislation, the Development Plan, and other Council plans, policies and guidelines. You will also be responsible for investigating unauthorised works to trees and providing formal advice on planning applications / discharge of condition applications and other associated applications, and for regularly monitoring and updating the Council’s Register of Tree Preservation Orders.
The role reports directly to the Lead Officer Development Management Specialisms.
Key activities

Performance expectations
? Works with manager and colleagues to define outcomes, set targets and monitor performance, within a culture of continual improvement
? Supports operational plans to ensure that the resources within the teams are used to best effect and impact

Customers and Partners
? Builds strong internal and external working partnerships to enable the service to be delivered in an outcome-focused and efficient way
? Supports Kingston’s commitment to community cohesion and valuing diversity and social inclusion

Digital/New Ways of Working
? Uses new technologies, particularly the Google suite of programs, to adopt modern, agile working practices, improve customer service and eliminate paper-based processes wherever possible.

Role Delivery
? To provide a professional Arboricultural service to Council Officers, advising on all matters relating to the protection of trees and hedgerows within the Borough, including trees covered by tree preservation orders, those growing in conservation areas and protected hedgerows within the Greenbelt.
? To regularly monitor and update the register of Tree Preservation Orders and to maintain a GIS based database and mapping for Tree Preservation Orders.
? To exercise the Council’s statutory duties, inspecting, creating, serving, confirming & defending all new Tree Preservation Orders under agreement with the relevant delegated authority.
? To carry out detailed appraisals of applications & notifications made under protected tree legislation providing recommendation on decisions to your line manager.
? To hold an excellent understanding of all matters pertaining to vegetation induced subsidence so as to correctly assess and advise on tree application decision notices, planning applications and the defence of the Council’s position on both.
? To provide technical advice in relation to Tree related insurance claims in conjunction with the legal department, and to adjudicate in high hedge complaints in accordance with the relevant legislation.
? To hold a working and practical knowledge of BS:5837 (2012) including it’s position within the Town & Country Planning Act and associated guidance relating to trees and development and to provide consistent professional advice, through the Council’s pre-application service to applicants, agents, developers and other parties on tree and landscape matters relating to development management/enforcement and to process associated enquiries and applications swiftly and in a spirit of cooperation.
? To hold a working and practical knowledge of the 2012 TPO Regs and associated guidance relating to protected trees and to advise all relevant parties on these matters.
? To hold a working and practical knowledge of Arboricultural techniques and practices and the practical management of trees.
? To have an excellent understanding of tree health and associated problems along with the ability to diagnose and assess the condition of a tree and advise a solution in accordance with best industry practices.
? To monitor compliance with arboricultural and landscape related conditions attached to planning permissions / legal agreements and manage the resolution of non-compliance.
? To hold a working knowledge of landscape structural design and implementation, the ability to correctly interpret and assess complex drawings in order to provide an input into landscaping both as the subject of planning applications and in providing advice on improvements within the public realm in cooperation with the Council’s Urban Design function.
? To provide consistent and coordinated professional advice to stakeholders on arboricultural and landscape issues as required.
? To arrange or to attend and present at as necessary; Committee meetings, site inspections and meetings in connection with any applications as requested by the LPA or as required by the role.
? To prepare statements and proofs of evidence and written representations and to present evidence as necessary on behalf of the Council at Appeal Hearings and Inquiries.
? To hold a working knowledge of the application of Development Plan policies relating to Urban Green Factors and Biodiversity Net Gains, and be able to advise Officers on the application of those policies in relation to tree and landscape matters.
? To raise public awareness of trees, tree legislation and best practice by providing training for council officers, councillors and other community groups.
? To be available, to undertake any relevant training course as required by the role.
? To undertake any other duties required by the management of the Council which are applicable to the grading and nature of the post and which do not change the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed.
? To investigate reports of unauthorised tree felling, and to manage enforcement action thereafter.

Equality and Diversity

? Embeds equity, equality, fairness, respect and the acceptance of diversity into all aspects of team working and service delivery.

General

? The requirements of this post includes availability to respond to arboricultural emergency matters outside of normal working hours as expected with a post of this nature and the postholder will need to manage their work life balance flexibly to meet the needs of the role required to participate in the out of hours service.
? To develop, update and act on your own personal development plan, and be ready to share your experience with others.
? To work in accordance with RBK‘s Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, relevant policies and legislation.
? Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post, as may be required from time to time.

The person & qualifications

In order to successfully deliver the responsibilities of the role, you will need to:

? Possess a relevant Landscape related qualification or equivalent experience.
? Possess the following minimum Arboricultural qualifications & experience:
Arboriculture and Forestry Advanced Diploma Level 3 or equivalent
Certificated Lantra Professional Tree Inspection.
Experience in Tree Risk Assessment using a recognised methodology such as QTRA (Quantified Tree Risk Assessment).
? Hold a full clean driving licence and own a vehicle insured for business use.
? Membership or eligibility for membership of recognised related professional bodies (e.g. Landscape Institute / Arboricultural Association).
? Be willing to question and challenge ways of working, with an understanding of the bigger picture in terms of the corporate context and external environment
? Demonstrate a proactive, agile and adaptable mindset with an innovative and creative approach to your work and the ability to learn on the job and remain up to date with relevant changes to legislation & best working practices.