Aboricultural Officer

• Job_Profile_-_Aboricultural_Officer
• Arboricultural_Officer_-_Candidate_Information_July_2025
• SHBC_Recruitment_Pack_-_May_2025_v4

Please apply online via the link provided.

Surrey Heath Borough Council is committed to safer recruitment and equality of opportunity in employment and service delivery and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community. If you are unable to apply online for reasons of disability, please call 01276 707126 to discuss any reasonable adjustments that may be made to accommodate your individual requirements.

Please note:

All successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment checks in line with BPSS guidelines, which includes standard identification, referencing and unspent conviction checks. Surrey Heath Borough Council undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a disclosure on the basis of conviction or other information revealed.

For the best chance of successful application, please read the Job Description and Personal Specification fully before applying for this vacancy as it contains information you will need to refer to when applying. We do not accept CV’s submitted without a fully completed application form. To reduce the risk of bias in its recruitment activities, the council is operating an anonymous shortlisting process, which hides personal information that can identify individuals until their application has been considered for shortlisting. If you choose to submit your CV with your application form we request that you remove all your personal details before uploading your CV. This will ensure that Managers cannot see your personal details when completing their shortlist. If you have not heard from the council within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful. All unsuccessful applications will be removed and confidentially disposed of 6 months after the closing date.

If you have any further enquiries please email recruitment@surreyheath.gov.uk or telephone 01276 707126.

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Grade SH 5

Join Surrey Heath Borough Council and be part of an organisation who is committed to delivery through meaningful community engagement and excellent customer service. We have a friendly and supportive staff culture with people who want to help make a real difference in our community for everyone that lives and works here. We welcome a culture of innovation and creativity by welcoming new ideas from everyone. We support a work life balance with options for flexible and hybrid working.

About the Role

The Council is looking to recruit an experienced individual who is interested in furthering their career in Local Government and able to help us to deliver a high-quality service.

This post plays a significant role in providing a Tree Preservation service, professional consultation advice on planning applications, appeals and other related arboricultural and landscape matters.

The successful candidate will assist in the analysis of submitted planning applications and supporting information, to determine the impact and inform the planning decision making process and provide advice and guidance to planning officers.

About You

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate they have the experience and qualifications to deal efficiently and effectively with Tree Preservation Orders, tree work applications, High Hedges and Conservation Area Notices of Intent. The successful candidate will be able to negotiate improvements to applications and attach appropriate conditions, balance the risk of significant harm arising from potential impacts upon protected trees, the amenity value of trees, and secure appropriate mitigation measures to maintain the landscape profile and character of the Borough.

Candidates will need to demonstrate that they have the ability and experience to interpret planning policy and relevant legislation and have excellent communication and organisational skills.

Additional Information

Benefits

We are committed to providing a healthy work life balance for our employees, with hybrid working and other flexible working arrangements on offer. A laptop and mobile phone will be provided for your role if applicable. We offer a generous benefits package including a minimum of 23 days’ annual leave rising to 28 days after 5 years’ service, plus Bank Holidays, a generous local government pension scheme, free parking for all employees and payment of a professional membership fee. As well as discounted gym membership at our local Places Leisure Centre and great savings from supermarkets, shopping, cycle to work schemes and holidays via the My Staff Shop scheme.

Closing date: Midday Wednesday 30th July 2025

Interview date: W/C 11th August 2025

Contact details

For an informal discussion, please contact Jonathan Partington, Development Manager on 01276 707100, jonathan.partington@surreyheath.gov.uk, or Gavin Chinniah, Head of Planning on 01276 707456, gavin.chinniah@surreyheath.gov.uk

Our Commitment

Surrey Heath Borough Council is committed to equality of opportunity in employment and service delivery and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.

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