Job Details
About the Role
:Maidstone is situated in the heart of Kent and is the county town. Its urban centre has a strong commercial base with good transport links, and it is surrounded by a generally rural area, which includes the Kent Downs AONB. The Borough is fortunate to benefit from a richly diverse and valued landscape with over 1,000 Tree Preservation Orders and 15 historic parks and gardens. In recent years Maidstone has experienced unprecedented growth, and we are in a great position to shape this growth with a genuine commitment to respecting the character and heritage of the Borough and achieving high quality design. This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated professional to join the Heritage, Landscape and Trees team, a small but busy multi-disciplinary team dealing with trees, landscape and the built environment. Your varied workload will include dealing with your own caseload of tree and hedge applications, protecting trees, advising and providing guidance on arboricultural matters relating to impacts and effects of new development, as well as on other landscape matters, and taking appropriate enforcement action where necessary. We need someone who is passionate about the environment and who can work effectively with partners and customers, as well as enjoys collaborating and negotiating in the context of environmental protection and new development proposals. An interest in data bases is welcomed. If you feel you meet the requirements of the post and are ready for a new and exciting challenge in a progressive and ambitious Local Authority, then we’d like to hear from you. About You: We are looking for an experienced and professionally qualified Arboriculturist who is able to provide detailed advice and evidence on a wide range of tree issues. You will need to have a degree and professional qualification in Arboriculture (min NQF level 3), RFS Diploma (NQF level 6) or equivalent and be a member of a professional body such as the Arboricultural Association or similar. Additionally, you will have excellent communication skills, and the ability to prepare and present expert evidence at Committee meetings, court hearings and public inquiries. You should be able to demonstrate experience of providing specialist advice within a local authority and planning context. Experience of working with the Uniform system would be helpful. Selection Process: Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those that are successful in securing an interview can expect a job specific interview assessment, followed by an interview. About Us: Maidstone Borough Council is a confident organisation with ambition and aspirations to deliver high quality services to our residents and local businesses. We strive to make the borough an attractive place for all and secure a successful economy. We continue to build on our strengths - assets, knowledge and expertise and our track record for innovation and improvement to create a financially sustainable future so that we can continue with our undiminished plans. We will only achieve the results we are aiming for through the talents and hard work of all our people. You are encouraged to become part of our vision and in return you can expect support, training, and fair reward from us. We will give you the opportunity to develop the skills to do your job well and create a positive working environment where your ideas about improving how we do things are valued and we manage the changes needed for new ways of working well. Our Offer: A range of benefits including: • Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities• Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)• Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)• Generous holiday entitlement with the option to buy additional leave• Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work • Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax. • A wide range of flexible working opportunities • Annual flu vaccine• Cycle to work scheme• Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping• Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals• A professional fee payment, if required for the role Maidstone Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment. Maidstone Borough Council has a Sponsor License which enables successful candidates in eligible roles to be sponsored for work Visa purposes.