Arboricultural Officer Salary: £36,482 - £39,845 per annum Location: Andover with the opportunity for agile working In Test Valley we recognise the importance of trees in providing environmental benefits to those people that live, work and visit the borough as well as supporting resilience to climate change. We have an exciting opportunity for an Arboricultural Officer within our Planning and Building Trees Team. You’ll be working within a borough that includes some of the most beautiful countryside in southern England, stretching from the New Forest National Park in the south, through the Valley of the River Test to the North Wessex Downs National Landscape. As part of an enthusiastic and high-profile team, you’ll deal with a varied caseload of work. This will involve providing professional arboricultural advice to a range of colleagues in Planning, and other services across the organisation, as well as to our councillors and people outside the council including homeowners, agents, and parish councils. You will offer guidance relating to all works connected to protected trees and the impact of new development on existing trees. Working alongside people who care passionately for trees, you’ll bring a positive and collaborative approach to the role and be able to share your own ideas and experience and not be afraid to put forward suggestions which would further improve our service for all our communities, residents and businesses. Our busy service provides rewarding opportunities to shape new development in a constructive way which takes account of the important role trees play in place-making and ensures that schemes are designed to allow for the retention of important trees whilst following a pragmatic and measured approach. As a forward-thinking council, we have developed Values and Behaviours which sit at the heart of what we do. We want to hear from people who would share our pride in the public services that we provide and who will strive to make a positive impact on the future management and protection of trees in Test Valley. So, if you share our appreciation of the value of trees and have knowledge and previous experience of working in tree protection and management practice, we want to hear from you. Even if you do not think you meet all the requirements of the role, please do get in touch with us, as we may still be able to consider your application. In return, we actively encourage a good work-life balance including flexible working hours and an agile working environment. We also offer a competitive employment package, with a competitive salary, generous annual leave entitlement, payment of professional subscription, on-site cafe, free parking, discounted leisure facilities, and a defined benefits pension scheme. More information on our benefits can be found here https://www.testvalley.gov.uk/aboutyourcouncil/a-great-place-to-work/employee-benefits As a friendly and progressive employer, that promotes collaborative and inclusive thinking, we welcome applications for this interesting role from people from a diverse range of backgrounds. For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Rachel Cooke Principal Arboricultural Officer on 01264 368533 or email RCooke@testvalley.gov.uk or Margaret Bennett email mbennett@testvalley.gov.uk Closing Date: Monday 15th September