Arboriculture Operative

About the Role

Arboriculture Officer maintaining and ensuring safe trees within the Borough.

• Work alongside other trained Arboriculture Officers in carrying out planned and reactive works on trees throughout the Borough, including the use of chainsaws.
• Carry out a high standard of work to ensure that trees are safely maintained.
• Have experience of safely climbing and dismantling large trees.
• Work as part of a team providing an important service.
• Be flexible and follow instructions from Arboriculture Supervisors and Manager.
• Be part of an out of hours call‑out service to deal with emergency jobs.
• Follow Health & Safety guidelines, generic risk assessments and carry out dynamic risk assessments where required.
• Communicate in a clear and polite manner to members of the public.
• Work in other areas of the service as and when required.
• Other responsibilities allocated which are appropriate to the grade of the post.

• Safe working practices
• Knowledge of different species of trees
• Experience carrying out tree maintenance works
• Working as part of a team
• Hold a full UK driving licence

• Competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides:
• Generous Annual Leave – 28 days, rising to 32 after 5 years (2 can be fixed by the Council), plus option to buy up to 10 extra days.
• Flexible Working Hours – up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs).
• Hybrid & Flexible Working support for a healthy work‑life balance.
• Learning & Development – training, development and progression opportunities.
• Health & Wellbeing Support – discounted gym memberships, mental health resources.
• Cycle to Work Scheme – tax‑efficient cycle to work programme.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme – salary‑sacrifice car scheme with NHS Fleet Solutions after 12 months service.
• Exclusive discounts & salary sacrifice – VIVUP employee benefits platform for discounts and salary sacrifice on white goods, electronics, etc. after 6 months service.

We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. At Gateshead Council we embrace, welcome diversity, are truly inclusive and demonstrate equality for all. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.