County Highway Arboriculturist

Salary: Grade 9, ranging from £43,149 - £47,665 per annum.

Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week.

Contract: Permanent

Closing date: 3rd November 2026

You’ll be responsible for leading and managing the strategic and operational delivery of highway tree management across Somerset. This will include developing and implementing policies, procedures and risk-based inspection programmes. You will ensure compliance with legislation, health and safety requirements, and industry standards. You will also be required to provide expert arboriculture advice to internal colleagues, elected members and external partners.

The role provides overall leadership for the planning, commissioning and delivery of tree maintenance and inspection programmes, including the management of budgets, contractors and staff. You’ll be ensuring effective performance monitoring, stakeholder engagement and the resolution of complex issues such as insurance claims and emergency incidents.

• Manage all highway tree management, inspections and maintenance, including establishing policies and procedures and Health and Safety.
• Manage the Highway Trees Project and being responsible for a £1m works budget which is allocated for the tree maintenance works.
• Manage a team of 3 staff, direct, supervise and train staff and undertake regular performance reviews.
• Provide arboriculture advice within the service and liaise with Highways and Development control on the adoption of new landscaped areas.
• Manage pre-planned and reactive works programmes and coordinate emergency tree surgery works in the event of severe weather events.

• Level 6 professional qualification in arboriculture or equivalent level of experience.
• Professional tree inspection qualification.
• The ability to travel independently to areas that may not be covered by public transport.
• 5 years’ experience of professional experience post qualification of tree assessment prescribing appropriate Arboricultural management.
• Knowledge of tree related legislation and law.
• Knowledge of pests, diseases and planning process related to trees.

The Highway Tree Team manages and maintains trees on highway land throughout the county, ensuring public safety while protecting and enhancing Somerset's tree population. The team undertakes inspections, responds to tree-related issues, commissions maintenance works, and provides professional arboricultural advice to support the safe and sustainable management of roadside trees.

• Generous annual leave of 30 days per year, plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most generous and secure pension schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.

• 30 days of annual leave (additional to bank holidays)
• This role involves frequent travel across rural areas of Somerset and lone working on occasion.
• This role is subject to a standard DBS check.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for VISA sponsorship.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Paul Sweetman – Service Manager
- Highway Risk, via email at p

We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.

You can find a copy of the job description here:
County Highways Arboriculturist
- Job Description - AU0315 -