Senior Tree Management Officer

About us

At Penrith City Council, we’re passionate about people; in our community and in our workplace. We want you to be able to be your best self and we get that work is just one part of your life, so we’re here to support you in the moments that matter. As the winner of the 2020 Local Government Excellence in People and Culture Award and an Excellence Award winner in the 2020 Australian HR Awards, you can be confident in joining a workplace that offers truly outstanding benefits, including:

• A range of flexible work arrangements
• 18 weeks paid maternity leave
• Health and wellbeing leave
• 15 days personal leave
• Significant financial and leave support for undertaking further education
• Diverse salary packaging
• Free access to all Ripples venues
• And much, much more!

Environmental Health and Compliance plays a vital role in protecting the health, environment and safety of our growing City. Our team of dedicated professionals are responsible for environmental protection and public health programs, development compliance, regulatory and animal services.

About the role

The Environmental Health & Compliance Team have an exciting permanent full time Senior Tree Management Officer position available.

As the Senior Tree Management Officer, you will be responsible for representing Council in court related matters acting as Council's Tree Management expert, providing tree and vegetation management advice to customer, assessing and determining vegetation permit applications, undertaking site inspections, issuing permits of tree and vegetation removal, peer review of TMO issued permits when directed, ensuring appropriate replanting or revegetation works and ensuring compliance with permits. This role will also be responsible for creating awareness and promoting sustainable tree and vegetation management practices.

Essential criteria

• Minimum AQF Level 5 (or equivalent) in Arboriculture such as a Diploma of Horticulture (Arboriculture) or a Diploma of Arboriculture
• Experience in the assessment of tree impacts related to development applications
• Experience in legal matters including the preparation of statement of facts and contentions and briefs of evidence and appear in court (Land & Environment/Local Court) as an expert witness
• Demonstrated knowledge of Australian Standards AS 4970-2009 Protection of trees on development sites and AS 4373-2007 pruning of amenity trees
• Experience in issuing, monitoring and ensuring compliance with tree and vegetation permits or approvals
• Demonstrated working knowledge of the NSW Local Government Act, Environmental Planning & Assessment Act, Biodiversity Conservation Act, State -Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity & Conservation) and relevant Council Development Control Plans.
• Demonstrated high level of customer service, ability to work as a team member, verbal and written communication, conflict resolution, negotiation and problem solving skills
• Current Class C Driver’s Licence

Desirable criteria

• Hold either TRAQ or QTRA tree risk assessment qualifications
• Experience in the assessment and determination of tree/vegetation permit applications including considerations of biological health and condition, vegetation significance, protection and offset measures, amenity and risk management
• Experience in the resolution of complex arboricultural issues

Salary: The salary for this position ranges from $100,424.00 - $116,244.00 per annum, plus 11% Superannuation, and will be negotiated commensurate with the skills, qualifications and experience of the preferred applicant.

Access to a Leaseback Vehicle is available with this position; however, it is not a condition of employment.

This position requires the worker to be double vaccinated against COVID-19 or to hold a medical contraindication certificate.

You may be required to undertake background checks, as relevant to the position for which you have applied.