Gardener jobs in Penkridge

As an Arboricultural Officer for Staffordshire County Council Environment and Countryside Service you will play a pivotal role in the management and conservation of trees within the County, focusing on Country Parks and the Rights of Way network. You will be responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and sustainability of our tree assets, contributing to the overall enhancement of our public spaces.

The role will deliver:

• A specialist customer focused arboricultural advice service
• Surveying, managing and maintaining the tree inventory database
• Advising customers and colleagues on the management of the Council’s tree stock
• Specifying and contracting works

Duties may also include, from time to time, the need to assist in non-arboricultural operations, such as landscape advice and providing support to other departments on large scale projects.

In this role you'll

• Lead the Council’s tree risk management programme, ensuring the safe and sustainable management of trees, woodlands and green infrastructure assets.
• Develop and implement arboricultural strategies, policies and management plans to protect biodiversity, landscapes and environmental assets across Country Parks, Greenways and Rights of Way.
• Conduct and oversee tree inspections, maintain accurate asset records, and commission tree works in line with legislation, industry standards and best value principles.
• Provide specialist arboricultural advice on planning applications, Tree Preservation Orders, conservation areas and wider environmental compliance matters.
• Prepare reports and recommendations for stakeholders, supporting evidence-based decision making and long-term tree management programmes.
• Represent the Council on arboricultural matters, engaging with communities, partners and stakeholders while supporting wider Environment & Countryside service objectives.

The minimum criteria that will be used to shortlist for this role will be:

• Arboricultural qualifications to a minimum of level 5 (HND/ FdSc)
• LANTRA Professional Tree Inspection qualifications
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the legal, strategic and operational requirements needed to provide tree management and maintenance advice, including all relevant Planning and Health and Safety legislation.
• Demonstrable broad knowledge of UK and European habitats and wildlife protection legislation, including SSSI and SAC related law.
• Experience with on-site surveying and associated report writing, of visual Tree Assessment and of using tree inventory software.
• Experience of working with the public, volunteers, contractors, stakeholders and external organisations.
• Driving licence or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role (e.g. to undertake surveys, inspections, etc) through other means.

Interviews will be held on Friday 20th November 2026.

Don’t feel you meet all the requirements? We value transferable skills, experiences, and qualifications so consider applying anyway or for an informal chat about the role please contact Peter Hearn, Environment Manager at: peter.hearn@staffordshire.gov.uk

Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role.

Please note: The minimum criteria in the ideal candidate section detailed above will be used if you are applying under one of our Interview Guarantee Schemes, detailed below.

We are no ordinary county council:

Our Values:

The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.

Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:

We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.

We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.

Our benefits:

We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.

In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire

Our recruitment process:

As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities

As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.