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Hillingdon is one of London's greenest boroughs, home to an extensive and diverse tree population that makes a vital contribution to the local environment and the wellbeing of our residents. We are looking for an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Arboricultural Officer to join our Green Spaces team and help manage, protect and enhance this important asset.

This is an exciting opportunity for a suitably qualified arboricultural professional to play a key role in delivering the Council's tree management responsibilities. You will undertake inspections of the Council's tree stock, assess tree-related service requests, develop specifications for tree works, manage contractors and contribute to the delivery of our Tree Strategy. You will also support planning, highways, housing and other services by providing expert arboricultural advice.

Working across the borough, you will be involved in a varied workload including Tree Preservation Orders, Conservation Area notifications, tree risk management, pest and disease control, insurance claims, resident enquiries and woodland management initiatives. No two days are the same, and you will have the opportunity to make a real difference to Hillingdon's landscape and environment.

About you

We are looking for a motivated and customer-focused professional who is passionate about arboriculture and committed to delivering excellent public services.

You will have:

• A qualification in Arboriculture, Forestry or a related discipline (Level 4 or equivalent experience).
• Recent UK arboricultural experience, ideally within a local authority environment.
• A good understanding of tree legislation, including Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Areas.
• Experience of carrying out tree inspections and recording findings accurately using electronic management systems.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical matters clearly to residents, councillors and colleagues.
• Experience of contractor management and quality assurance.
• A full UK driving licence and the ability to work across the borough.

PTI certification is desirable, although support may be available for the right candidate to obtain this qualification.

About us

At Hillingdon, we put our residents first. We are committed to protecting and enhancing our green infrastructure while delivering high-quality, value-for-money services. Joining our Green Spaces team means becoming part of a forward-thinking organisation that values professional development, innovation and collaborative working.

What we offer

In return, we offer:

• A competitive local government pension scheme.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Flexible working arrangements where operationally appropriate.
• Employee discounts and wellbeing benefits.
• The opportunity to help shape and protect one of London's most significant tree populations

Benefits

We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:

• Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
• Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work – Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Perkbox Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Perkbox Benefits.
• Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
• Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
• Trade Union Membership – The Council recognises UNISON, Unite, AEP and GMB and supports employees’ freedom of choice in relation to trade union membership.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.

The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.

Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.

Recruitment Information
Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre-employment screening:

• Qualifications Check
• 2 years of Referencing

Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.