What We Offer You

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
• Flexible working arrangements subject to service requirements.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities, including support towards professional qualifications.
• A clear career pathway within Leeds City Council's Forestry and Arboriculture service.
• A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.

How To Apply

Complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Jane Crowther, Forestry Manager, on 0113 3788186 or Matthew Roberts, Operations Manager on 07712214075.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

Day to day operational tree works as directed by Forestry Management, undertaking practical, predominantly ground-based tree works, with occasional working from height, in support of the Urban Forestry (Arboriculture) section’s service delivery. The role requires working outdoors in all weather conditions across a variety of terrains moving across uneven ground surfaces both on and off the highway. The role involves bending, lifting, carrying, climbing (working at height), and concentrating for long periods alongside being on-call during weekends and evenings.

Responsibilities

• Under instruction from the team leader undertake all aspects of practical arboriculture, woodland management and forestry works to the highest standards and best practice, actively seeking help and advice when unsure.
• Work in a team environment, using chainsaws, hand tools, stump grinders, woodchippers and vegetation control measures which involve risk assessment and physical, practical work.
• Responsible for the security and safety of all vehicles, tools and equipment used by the post holder ensuring appropriate repair and maintenance is undertaken.
• Report all faults, breakdowns, incidents, accidents, near misses and structural and other tree defects along with pest & disease symptoms.
• Responsible for their own health and safety and ensure members of the public and site users are managed effectively when tree works are underway.
• Supervise volunteers, friends’ groups, and junior operational colleagues as required, undertaking ground-based tree and woodland works for example; coppice work, hedge laying, tree planting etc.
• Provide support during busy periods of inclement weather and assist with the use of modern technology to help improve service delivery.
• Communicate appropriately with a wide range of people through a variety of different methods.
• Utilise modern e-technology in the updating of tree and job records, recording asset details as part of daily operations.
• Support officers managing the statutory consultation processes under the Environment Act 2021 on street tree removal.
• To provide help during severe weather (designated storm occurrences) and to react to emergency calls after hours for all tree emergencies, including; the removal of part or whole downed trees or tree limbs. This will be on a compulsory standby rota basis, which will be in place 7 days a week 365 days a year.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation days a year.

Qualifications

A Full clean driving licence to enable use of council vehicles and qualifications demonstrating numeracy & literacy skills (GCSE Grade C or above in English and Maths or equivalent are essential. Applicants must hold an appropriate professional qualification or be willing to work towards a Level 2/3 arboriculture qualification via apprenticeship route.

Essential requirements

Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Able to communicate appropriately with a wide range of people, through a variety of different methods.
• A flexible approach to working hours with the ability to work out of normal working hours to respond to emergency situations.
• Able to work effectively as part of a team and to demonstrate organisational and time management skills prioritising own and team’s work to meet conflicting deadlines.
• Able to travel throughout Leeds City Council boundaries working outside in a range of weather conditions, moving location within the service working at different sites /areas depending on need.
• Able to accurately enter and retrieve data and information from digital and manual systems.
• Able to use initiative to develop solutions to day-to-day issues and improve provision.
• Able to provide customer focussed services.
• Able to abide by health and safety risk assessments, COSHH and PPE requirements.
• Able to assist in the production of site-specific risk assessments.
• Understand responsibilities in terms of Health, Safety, Wellbeing, security, confidentiality and data protection.
• Understand relevant legislation, guidance, policies and interpret and apply them consistently.
• Experience of and able to use information technology e.g. word, spreadsheet, database, email etc.
• Experience of horticultural or arboriculture works.
• Experience of working in an urban countryside and greenspace environment.

Essential Behavioural And Other Characteristics

• Committed to implementation and maintenance of the United Kingdom Woodland Assurance Scheme (UKWAS).
• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Carry out duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
• Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
• Be aware of and support difference