Woollahra Municipal Council

Urban Forest Technical Support Officer

• $84,689 - $103,020 p.a. + 11% super + Fully maintained private use Council leaseback vehicle
• Permanent full-time opportunity with a fortnightly RDO 
• Conveniently based at the Alexandria Depot with free onsite parking 

About us

Woollahra is an area steeped in natural beauty and heritage appealing to residents, businesses and visitors who enjoy its many parks, waterfront locations and historic buildings. Our council is passionate about our community’s future footprint and our Urban Forest Strategy (UFS) is a key part of this.

About the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a suitably qualified Technical Support Officer to join our newly created Urban Forest Team. 

Reporting to the Urban Forest Project Manager, you will play an active role in executing Council's UFS by procuring and establishing Council's urban tree canopy with the ambitious yet realistic goal of achieving a tree canopy cover target of 30% by 2050.

You will have sound technical knowledge and hands on experience in Tree Management and/or Horticultural best practises and proven contractor management experience. You will also assist the Project Manager with the review and development of tree management policies, plans and strategies and maintain the tree asset management system.

You will work alongside a collaborative team of like-minded individuals who are passionate about enhancing our tree canopy. This position is based out of our Alexandria Integrated Facility however this role will see you regularly attend to different sites around the Local Government Area as well as other Council offices including the Council Chambers in Double Bay.

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrated practical experience and qualifications (Diploma level or higher) in Arboriculture or Horticulture.
• Demonstrated comprehensive experience and understanding of tree management practices and/or horticultural best practices.
• Demonstrated experience in providing specialist advice regarding urban forest/horticultural assets.
• Demonstrated experience in the development, delivery and monitoring of public tree planting programs, including project and contract management.
• Demonstrated experience in investigating and developing specifications and contract management documents for public tree/ horticultural assets.
• Experience in supervising contractors and consultants.
• Proven customer service management skills.
• Competency in all MS Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook.
• Well-developed oral and written communication and accurate record keeping skills.
• Commitment to EEO and WHS principles.
• C Class Drivers Licence.

 Desirable Criteria

• Experience in Local Government.
• Experience in Asset Management Systems.
• Experience in the development of and or the delivery of Urban Forest or similar urban greening strategies.

What’s in it for you?

We promote equal access to opportunities within the organisation and we pride ourselves on creating a safe and engaging working environment.

We are dedicated to looking after our staff, because if we look after our people, we will be better placed to look after our community.

Eligible staff will be entitled to some of the following benefits:

• Fortnightly RDO (for eligible staff)
• Work from home arrangements (up to two days per week for eligible staff)
• Subsidised gym membership through Fitness Passport with access to 810+ fitness facilities
• Generous personal leave provisions (E.g. Long Service Leave after 5 years’ of continuous service, Parental Leave, Health & Wellbeing Days, Study Leave)
• High quality training and development opportunities

How to apply

• Apply online by clicking the link below.
• You will be asked to demonstrate how you meet each of the selection criteria. Please click here to view the complete list of essential and desirable criteria.
• If you have a separate statement addressing the selection criteria, please upload it as a cover letter and simply refer to it in the online questionnaire.
• You will be able to upload 2 documents only.
• For information on applying for Council jobs, please refer to http://www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au/council/employment/recruitment_and_selection_process
• For further information about the role, please contact Paul Fraser, Manager Open Space and Trees on 02 9391 7177, during business hours.

CLOSING DATE: 11:59pm on Monday 20 May 2024

Woollahra Council is committed to responding to its responsibilities under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 in undertaking all measures that are reasonably practical to ensure the health and safety of all our workers. As of 1st December 2021, new employees must be fully vaccinated (minimum two doses) with an approved COVID-19 vaccine and provide evidence seven days prior to commencement.

Should an applicant indicate that they wish to seek an exemption on medical or other grounds, they will need to provide evidence of their circumstances such as an accepted certified medical contraindication.

Woollahra Council is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion.

We are committed to reconciliation and strongly encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and mature aged workers to apply.  

If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application.