Tree and Landscape Officer

Job Category :
Planning

Location :
Guildhall 2, Royal Borough of Kingston

Hours Per Week : 37.00

Start Date :
Immediate start

Start Time : 09 : 00

End Time : 17 : 00

Salary : £20.91

Permanent role, based in Kingston

Grade H

The Council is focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for its communities. To do this the Council needs employees who thrive in an agile and networked organisation and who can support continuous improvement within a constructive organisational culture.

In this role you will ensure all development management decisions relating to tree and landscape issues comply with relevant legislation, the Development Plan, and other Council plans, policies and guidelines. You will also be responsible for investigating unauthorised works to trees and providing formal advice on planning applications / discharge of condition applications and other associated applications, and for regularly monitoring and updating the Council’s Register of Tree Preservation Orders.

The role reports directly to the Lead Officer Development Management Specialisms.

• Works with manager and colleagues to define outcomes, set targets and monitor performance, within a culture of continual improvement
• Supports operational plans to ensure that the resources within the teams are used to best effect and impact

• Builds strong internal and external working partnerships to enable the service to be delivered in an outcome-focused and efficient way
• Supports Kingston’s commitment to community cohesion and valuing diversity and social inclusion

• Uses new technologies, particularly the Google suite of programs, to adopt modern, agile working practices, improve customer service and eliminate paper‑based processes wherever possible.

• To provide a professional Arboricultural service to Council Officers, advising on all matters relating to the protection of trees and hedgerows within the Borough, including trees covered by tree preservation orders, those growing in conservation areas and protected hedgerows within the Greenbelt.
• To regularly monitor and update the register of Tree Preservation Orders and to maintain a GIS based database and mapping for Tree Preservation Orders.
• To exercise the Council’s statutory duties, inspecting, creating, serving, confirming & defending all new Tree Preservation Orders under agreement with the relevant delegated authority.
• To carry out detailed appraisals of applications & notifications made under protected tree legislation providing recommendation on decisions to your line manager.
• To hold an excellent understanding of all matters pertaining to vegetation induced subsidence so as to correctly assess and advise on tree application decision notices, planning applications and the defence of the Council’s position on both.
• To provide technical advice in relation to Tree related insurance claims in conjunction with the legal department, and to adjudicate in high hedge complaints in accordance with the relevant legislation.
• To hold a working and practical knowledge of BS : 5837 (2012) including it’s position within the Town & Country Planning Act and associated guidance relating to trees and development and to provide consistent professional advice, through the Council’s pre‑application service to applicants, agents, developers and other parties on tree and landscape matters relating to development management / enforcement and to process associated enquiries and applications swiftly and in a spirit of cooperation.
• To hold a working and practical knowledge of the 2012 TPO Regs and associated guidance relating to protected trees and to advise all relevant parties on these matters.
• To hold a working and practical knowledge of Arboricultural techniques and practices and the practical management of trees.
• To have an excellent understanding of tree health and associated problems along with the ability to diagnose and assess the condition of a tree and advise a solution in accordance with best industry practices.
• To monitor compliance with arboricultural and landscape related…