About the Role
Herefordshire Council
Job Title: Principal Arboricultural Officer
Hours: 37 hours per week
Salary: HC 10
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: 20th March 2026
Interview date: 10th April 2026
The Role
This is an exciting time to join the Highways and Public Realm team at Herefordshire Council. We’re transforming how highways and public realm services are delivered across Herefordshire, bringing them back under direct Council control for the first time in years. From June 2026, we’ll be working in a new way that gives us greater flexibility, more local accountability, and a sharper focus on quality and value for money. By joining us now, you’ll be part of a team shaping the future of essential services that residents rely on every day, from maintaining roads and green spaces to keeping our streets clean and safe. We can offer the chance to make a real difference in your community, work with a dedicated team, and help deliver improvements that matter.
What will you be doing?
In this role you will know your oak from your ash and your honey fungus from your jelly ear. You will be responsible for managing the tree stock across the public realm estate, ensuring compliance with legislation. When not out and about, you will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies and plans, as well as overseeing works orders that have been raised to our partner contractors.
About You
As a Principal Arboricultural Officer you will:
* Be educated to degree level or equivalent in Arboriculture or a related field and/or substantial work experience
* Be a member of the Arboricultural Association or other relevant professional body and hold a LANTRA Professional Tree Inspection qualification
* Have knowledge / experience of tree survey, inspection and management techniques and practices
* Have a comprehensive knowledge of relevant highway legislation and key tree management legislation and controls including Tree Preservation Orders, Conservation Areas, Felling Licences, Planning Conditions and Hedgerow Regulations
We Offer
A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:
* Salary range of £46,142 - £50,269
* Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
* Career progression: clear pathways to progress
* Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period
* Flexible working: including the potential for job-sharing, part-time hours and agile working
* Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
* Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements)
* Pick your perks – access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits, including savings, cash back and discounts
Why Choose Us?
Herefordshire is big hearted, welcoming and friendly. We have strong and independent communities and idyllic countryside, situated in the South West Midlands and bordering Wales. The county sits between Worcestershire and the Malvern Hills to the east, and Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons) in Wales to the west. Historically Herefordshire has been the gateway to the Marches. We embrace partnership working. We are a member of the Marches Forward Partnership, a cross-border collaboration between Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Powys and Shropshire.
The council priorities over the next four years are set out in the Council Plan with four main areas: People, Place, Growth, and Transformation. We will enable residents to realise their potential, protect and enhance our environment, and deliver sustainable growth and innovation.
Don’t meet all parts of the job description?
Herefordshire Council is committed to strengthening a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you are looking at the next stage of your career and have a broad base of fieldwork experience, we provide supportive and welcoming opportunities to help you develop your professional, management & supervisory skills.
Reasonable Adjustments
Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please contact the resourcing team by email: enquiries@hoopleresourcing.co.uk.
Creating an inclusive workplace
We encourage our employees to feel empowered and to use their voices to help embrace diversity, promote inclusivity and shape our organisation. We have eight employee network groups and a commitment to listen to people’s views and needs.
For more information on our Employee Network Groups please view our dedicated recruitment website: www.spiritofherefordshire.com.
Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations
The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post:
* Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the Disability Confident scheme.
* Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant.
* Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.
We take our commitment to safeguarding seriously and expect all staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children & young people and vulnerable adults. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
How To Apply
To apply for a position, please upload an up-to-date CV and complete the application form demonstrating your experience, skills and abilities for the role. For more information or to arrange an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Ed Bradford, Major Contracts Programme Director, ed.bradford@herefordshire.gov.uk. Be sure to include reference to the job description and person specification or role profile. If shortlisted, Hoople Resourcing will contact you via email to arrange your interview and/or assessment. Please monitor your email (including spam/junk) for updates.
#J-18808-Ljbffr