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 Tree Management Officer position available.

As the Tree Management Officer, you will be responsible for providing tree and vegetation management advice to customer, assessing, and determining vegetation permit applications/development applications, undertaking site inspections, issuing permits of tree and vegetation removal, 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 currently undertaking study to obtain qualification) in Arboriculture which is a Diploma of Horticulture (Arboriculture) or a Diploma of Arboriculture.
• Experience in the inspection and assessment of native and introduced tree species including considerations of biological health and condition, vegetation significance, protection and offset measures, amenity and risk management.
• Experience in monitoring and ensuring compliance with tree and vegetation permits or approvals.
• A sound working knowledge of the relevant legislation in NSW.
• 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:

• Local Government Experience.
• 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.
• Knowledge of Australian Standards AS 4970 - 2009 Protection of trees on development sites and AS 4373 - 2007 pruning of amenity trees.
• 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.

Salary: The salary for this position ranges from $87,017.00 - $100,725.00 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.

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

Council is a Child Safe Organisation, for more information about this please see our website.

Applicants must have the right to live and work in Australia to apply for this position.