Highway Inspector (Trees)

• This is a full-time role (37 hours per week), however compressed working hours are available for this position, as well as the opportunity for hybrid working
• 28 days annual leave - plus bank holidays
• Permanent contract

You’ll be contributing to the provision and successful delivery of a quality highway tree management service in Somerset.

You will achieve this by providing proactive and planned inspections of the Council’s tree stock, assessing tree conditions and ensure their Health and Safety, in accordance with the Council’s tree inspection regime and statutory obligations.

Somerset’s highways cover 6500km, and this role will involve undertaking visual tree assessments across our highways, as well as within private ownership that present a health and safety risk and serve a notice on the landowner to make the tree safe.

You’ll also be expected to undertake reactive visual tree assessments where a tree is reported as dangerous. This may be reported by a member of the public, and you will be expected to respond professionally and promptly, maintaining positive links with the local communities.

Using the results of these proactive or reactive tree assessments, you will then create prioritised remedial tree work orders. You’ll be recording new and updated tree records, utilising online mapping and communications systems.

You will also use your knowledge and experience to provide technical advice and guidance to internal staff, as well as external bodies, town and parish councils. You will also assist with the supervising and monitoring the performance of the Council’s Arboricultural contractors and ensure that specifications and standards are fully complied with.

This is a varied role with a lot of opportunities to make a positive contribution. If you think this role is right for you, then we would love to hear from you!

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be. But it will really help if you have:

• Previous experience of arboriculture or tree surgery, in a public sector environment.
• Relevant experience within a highways service environment and proven technical ability to analyse local highways.
• Previous experience of tree hazard surveying.
• Good organisational skills and communication skills, with the ability to liaise with the general public on highway matters.
• An education to at least Level 3 Arboriculture qualification, and hold the Professional Tree Inspection (PTI).

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
• Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Staff discounts in gyms.
• Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
• Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
• A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
• My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more

The salary for this role is Grade 12, ranging from £28,598 to £32,061 per annum.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Tim Jarratt, County Highway Arboriculturist, via email at tim.jarratt@somerset.gov.uk.

When completing your application/CV please provide your full employment history and ensure that any gaps in employment are explained. Please start with your current or most recent employment.

If you have all the information you need, just hit the apply button - we can’t wait to hear from you.