Arboricultural Officer

Provide a customer focussed borough wide arboricultural service through the development of contract arrangements, monitoring and work scheduling for Highways, Housing, Parks and others as necessary. Ensure the success of the service through contract monitoring and administration, strategy development, performance management, quality assurance and effective budget management., 1. Work as part of an arboricultural team to manage the tree stock of Southwark Council in line with the Council's Tree Management Strategy/Policy and relevant best practice documents e.g. BS3998 2010 Recommendations for Tree Work

2. Manage the continuous monitoring of the in house arboricultural tree surgery unit ensuring compliance for work specification, quality and health and safety.

3. Ensure that a programme of inspections for contract works and services are undertaken regularly and to cover 50% of the work delivered.

4. Undertake an assessment of zoning and categorisation for all parks trees (currently 3 years rotation) to align the proactive surveys with housing and highways (3 yearly)

5. Responsible for the management and monitoring of pests and disease in parks with a focus on Massaria and Oak Processionary Moth,

6. Issue works via the confirm system to in house and external contractors, regularly monitor the Confirm dash board

7. Assist in the management of budgets through financial monitoring, reporting and processing of payments to contractors for arboricultural related work.

8. To provide professional and technical advice in relation to Arboricultural Services.

9. Participate in consultation programmes and the wider involvement user groups and other key stakeholders.

Job Content

1. The main duties and responsibilities are indicated below although other duties of an appropriate level and nature will also be required.

2. Contribute to the revision of the Tree Management Strategy/Policy document.

3. Manages and carries out tree surveying to identify location, condition, works required, cyclical maintenance regimes, and value.

4. Manage and update the tree asset data base in Confirm including mapping, works and enquiry history.

5. Undertakes the monitoring of contracts internal and external against a range of qualitative and quantitative performance indicators.

6. Manages programmes of regular and random inspections of sites and services. Completes monitoring documentation and prepares reports on any defaults.

7. Raises defaults and concern with tree surgery work not meeting a high standard and monitors action taken.

8. Verifies site details and agrees variations to work orders, prices additional works and amends specification as appropriate. Authorises payment to contractors, resolving queries and discrepancies. Internally and externally.

9. Investigates all queries and complaints and responds appropriately including the preparation of reports.

10. Develops effective working relationships with contractors, managers, other departments and community groups to enhance service provision. Advises on the cost of new or amended services or service levels, contract procedures and standards.

11. Maintains records are up to date and contributes to potential improvements for information systems vital to the delivery of the Tree Service

12. Produces statistics, analyses and reports on contract performance both internally and externally to aid the production of the key performance indicators and to share the service delivery information with senior managers and colleagues.

13. Contribute to inter borough forums and benchmarking exercises to develop services and take a proactive part in the London Tree Officers Association working parties.

14. Attend client or community meetings to consult, provide information, resolve queries and agree improved ways of working.

15. Service Out of Hours Emergency Triage Rota (pro-rata basis) and assist Tree Section and across-organisation colleagues in the planning of emergency work to ensure that emergency situations are dealt with promptly.Service Out of Hours Emergency Triage Rota (pro-rata basis) and assist Tree Section and across-organisation colleagues in the planning of emergency work to ensure that emergency situations are dealt with promptly.

JOB CONTEXT

Reports To: Tree Service Manager

Supervises: No direct supervisory responsibility

Manages contractors (internal & external) and consultants

Financial Responsibilities: Contributes to the management of Arboricultural Services budgets - up to £1.5million.

Contacts:

Members, Senior Managers
Parks Standards Officers
Parks Development Section
Community and residents group re: development of services, informing and resolving enquiries.
Other Divisions and Departments - initiatives, commissioning contracts etc. development and regeneration, legal and property issues, development of joint projects.
Other local authorities, national and local agencies - e.g. regional and national organisations, private sector, ecology groups, Members, Senior Managers, Contractor's, Consultants and Landscape Architects

Organisational Objectives

· The Parks & Leisure business unit sits within the Environment and Social Regeneration Department, responsible for the day-to-day management of highways, roads, parking, projects, asset management, parks, open, trees and leisure. It also looks after cemeteries and crematoriums, transport, public health, traded services and consumer safety.

Structure
Special Features

There is a need to ensure a customer focused and responsive service and contract specification and monitoring are key features of ensuring the necessary high standards and cost effectiveness.

Grade/Conditions of Service
Governed by National Conditions of Service for JNC staff, enhanced by Council conditions as appropriate. Contracted hours: minimum 36 hours but will be required to work hours as determined by service delivery requirements.

The post holder is required to service an Out of Hours Emergency Call Out Rota in support of operational staff and contractors as determined by the Tree Service Manager., Use of computer spreadsheets, database, word processing applications and contract monitoring and reporting software e.g. 'Confirm' (with training)

The person specification is a picture of skills, knowledge and experience required to carry out the job., The post holder will be expected to have a relevant arboricultural qualification minimum to level 4 or what was previously level 3. In depth experience in an appropriate field can be substituted for formal qualifications, Knowledge of all aspects of contract specification, letting, monitoring and associated processes and procedures, Knowledge of Surveying, work identification, pricing and scheduling, Knowledge of health and safety practices and procedures and how they operate in Arboricultural Services, The post holder would be expected to demonstrate experience of managing and co-ordinating arboricultural contracts., Management of contracts with a minimum annual value of £1 million, Work independently and as part of a team, Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with a wide range of people including members, senior officers, and community representatives