Arboricultural Services Officer

36 Hours a week
(Aboricultural Services - Tree and Woodland)
Will be paid at PO2 level which is £21.28 per hour PAYE
Overall Purpose of Job
-To lead the day to day management and quality assurance of the arboriculture services contract, including administration, performance monitoring, liaison with users and contractors to ensure that services are delivered for Newham residents.
-To provide technical advice to the Council on matters relating to tree-related insurance claims, conservation areas and tree preservation orders, tree protection and retention on development sites and legal requirements in relation to dangerous trees.
JOB CONTEXT
1. The post holder reports to the Arboriculture Services Manager.
2. The post holder has no line management responsibility but will be required to
supervise the work of appointed contractors and/or volunteers.
3. The post holder has day to day responsibility for the issuing, inspection and quality assurance of work undertaken by arboricultural contractors on behalf of the council, and for making data associated with their findings available for contract management purposes.
4. Irrespective of weather conditions, the post holder will be required to spend a substantial amount of time working outdoors, inspecting trees and monitoring contractor’s work.
5. The post holder will be required to work some evenings, weekends and occasional public holidays in order to meet service requirements and to ensure appropriate service delivery and representation of the Council with residents the Mayor and elected members, and external bodies.
KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
-Key tasks and accountabilities are intended to be a guide to the range and level of work expected of the post holder.
-This is not an exhaustive list of all tasks that may fall to the post holder and employees will be expected to carry out such other reasonable duties which may be required from time to time.
UNDERTAKE OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
1. To manage contracts on behalf of the council, ensuring that services meet statutory requirements and best practice standards as specified within the contract.
2. To be responsible for sample monitoring the arboriculture services contract standards to ensure all works are carried out in accordance with best practice, relevant specifications and council policies and procedures.
3. To liaise with contractors on issues relating to service delivery and performance; gathering and interpreting performance information, producing and presenting reports on performance and applying improvement and defaults notices as required. Providing advice on day to day contract issues to service management.
4. To lead and attend meetings relevant to the service, including meetings with colleagues, senior management of contractors and as a service representative at public meetings.
5. To manage contract-related income and expenditure and supplier payments ensuring conformity with financial regulations and council standards and processes and providing information necessary for reports to management.
6. To maintain computerised management systems including specialist tree management software and the recording of management information in electronic format.
7. To monitor health and safety in the service ensuring that all health and safety legislation, rules and regulations are complied with.
8. To manage all tree related insurance claims, preparing technical reports on such for other relevant departments and implementing pruning programmes for trees involved in insurance claims. Advising the council on tree retention in relation to insurance claims.
9. To manage issues concerning trees in Conservation Areas and Tree Preservation orders.
10. To manage issues concerning tree protection and retention on development sites and ensuring that agreed decisions are implemented; ensuring co-ordination of responses with the Planning Service.
11. To implement Local Govt Act (Miscellaneous Provisions) 1974 requirements in relation to dangerous trees; ensuring co-ordination of responses with the Legal Service and provision of evidence in court where required.
12. To plan, procure and manage the delivery of annual tree planting programmes.
13. To develop and provide reports on key performance indicators for the service.
14. To support the development and delivery of the boroughs Tree and Woodland strategy and other strategic environmental initiatives.
15. To develop and oversee the implementation of long-term management plans for woodlands, copses and shelter belts.
16. To undertake appropriate risk assessments with regard to trees and ensuring appropriate action is taken.
17. To ensure the development and implementation of good quality services with regard to tree management in Schools,Housing areas and other Council owned land.
18. To manage tree-related complaints and enquiries and ensuring they are recorded, monitored and dealt with in a professional and efficient manner, drafting correspondence and other written material as required.
19. To be willing to work evenings, weekends, which may include Sundays and, on occasion, Public Holidays, and in emergency situations according to the needs of the service.
20. Any other duties, within your competence that may reasonably be required from time to time.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme