Street Scene Operative - Level 5 (Tree Surgeon)

This is an exciting opportunity to join our tree team within South Stafffordshire Council (South Staffs Treeworks) undertaking tree operations on Council and commercial land to the highest quality.

The Council’s Street Scene Team is one of the most prominent services provided by the Council and is highly regarded by Elected Members and residents alike. Our arboricultural function boosts our Street Scene delivery whilst also providing a commercial side to our maintenance operations.

Operating from our depot in Bilbrook the Street Scene Operative (Arboricultural) role is to provide several functions through the Council’s operational services.  Primarily the postholder will be assisting with arboricultural (both internal and commercial) works.

Reporting to the Tree Team Manager, the postholder will be required to:

• To assist with the management of the Council’s Arboricultural and Commercial operations, including external works. Providing high quality Arboricultural operations, Forestry and Grounds Maintenance service to the South Staffordshire Council and its clients.
• To Supervise the tree team to ensure that all operations are completed on time and to the highest standard and report any issues to the Team Inspector and Tree Team Operational Manager.
• To undertake all aspects of Arboriculture and Forestry with particular emphasis on climbing and high-level tree work operations to industry standards in accordance with the needs of the particular tree species and their associated environment.
• To organise resources required to complete a task, transporting everything to site to ensure a high-performance rate and minimizing wastage as much as possible and in so doing achieving set targets.
• To undertake training and instruction as may be required by management to ensure the safe and efficient performance of the service.
• To participate in routine machinery maintenance, ensuring correct and safe use of equipment and vehicles: to maintain and report on the level of equipment spares and the completion of maintenance records.
• Ability to use safely, maintain and direct the use of appropriate plant, equipment and machinery i.e. chainsaws, woodchippers and stump grinding equipment, in a safe and competent manner.

Applicants should have at least 3 years practical experience of working in arboriculture and climbing operations, working with clients and other stakeholders to deliver quality services and have previous experience leading a tree team on the ground.  It is essential that the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate qualifications in:- NPTC CS30 – chainsaw maintenance and cross cutting, NPTC CS31 – felling small trees, NPTC CS38 – tree climbing and aerial rescue, and NPTC CS39 – use of a chainsaw from a rope and harness are also desirable, NPTC Unit CS41 – Aerial Tree Rigging, NPTC Level 2 Certificate of competence - Wood Chipper and Stump Grinder.  The successful candidate will also be able to demonstrate practical and knowledge of relevant safe working practices for arboricultural operations.

A key attribute that we are seeking in the successful applicant is the ability to co-ordinate a methodical and rational approach to a work programme / instructions in order to deliver a professional service, and an ability to deal with members of the public in a polite and courteous manner.  It is critical that the successful applicant can demonstrate the Council’s values and be willing to attend training courses / CPD in order to improve personal skills and knowledge.

You must hold a full driving licence as the role requires the post holder to drive the council’s fleet of operational vehicles. 

The hours of work are 37.00 hours per week working Monday to Friday.  The successful candidate must be able to work contractual hours between 6am and 6pm as required and be willing to work overtime at weekends and Bank Holidays as and when required.

Why work for South Staffordshire Council?

We are an award-winning ambitious modern Council with a positive culture and a great benefits package including generous annual leave, flexi-time scheme, pension scheme and free car parking. We are situated next to the M54 and Bilbrook train station (5 minutes’ walk away) which provides easy access to our Council Offices in Codsall, and our depot in Bilbrook.

Closing Date for Applications:  26 April 2024

Interview Date:  7 May 2024

You are welcome to contact Mr Andy Aston, Street Scene and Environmental Crime Assistant Team Manager for an informal discussion on 07966 255247 or via email at  a.aston@sstaffs.gov.uk