Tree Surgeon

Thrive Oldham are recruiting a Tree Surgeon on behalf of our Client in the Leicestershire area.

To work as part of a team to deliver a best value, customer-focussed service throughout Leicestershire and occasionally, surrounding counties. You will provide a comprehensive and professional arboriculture service for all trees under the jurisdiction of Leicestershire County Council and other clients in the private sector in the County of Leicestershire and surrounding counties.

Activities included in this job specification are: Tree surgery and felling; Planting and

maintenance; Hedge layering; Planting schemes

To undertake various forestry and arboriculture works across a range of forestry disciplines, utilising safe working procedures and using specialist equipment and power tools. The list below is indicative of the types of work, but is not exhaustive:

�Tree surgery including crown lifting, dead wooding, crown reductions, bracing and tree felling

�Occasional activities relating to young tree and shrub maintenance; tree and shrub planting; public rights of way maintenance; hedge layering; planting schemes of various sizes and maintenance work

�Drive/operate specialist plant to perform all highways operations, and use equipment relating to arboriculture work (wood chippers ,chainsaws, polesaws etc ) to meet contractual requirements

�Carry out daily routine maintenance to appropriate vehicle and plant, complying with relevant legislation (e.g driver's hours regulations, European Drivers Regulations, safe loads and weights) to ensure safe and continued use. Additional knowledge of LOLER and PUWER checks are required for this operation to ensure the equipment meets the required specification.

�Attend, and where directed, support Highways operatives responding to daytime emergencies during environmental incidents such as storms, high winds to clear and/or make safe the public highway

�Carry out extensive maintenance to all arboriculture equipment to enable their safe and continued use

�Use appropriate equipment and procedures to detect and locate underground services to protect operatives and prevent damage to apparatus.

�Be responsible for the management of the Arboriculture Audits and Assessments whilst on site (full assessment of rigging, tree surgery, crown reduction every 4 years, with interim assessments every two years)

To carry out arboriculture practices to comply with the standards as laid down in the Arboriculture Practices Standard BS(Apply online only)

To abide by the Industry Code of Practice for Arboriculture - specifically relating to Working at Height Operations, including pruning and free fall dismantling, rigging, crane, MEWP and ladders. Carry out safe and effective aerial rescue operations both drills and on live sites

To recognise, comply with, and manage onsite any bio-security issues which may arise (e.g. Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (Chalara Ash Die Back) therefore reducing the spread of common pathogens, pests, diseases and disorders which may cause harm to the environment and/or neighbouring trees.

To support the Supervisor or Site Team Leader by:

�ensuring the efficient delivery of the programme of tree surgery and maintenance of Leicestershire Highway Trees.

�assuming responsibility as the senior operative by grade or as requested when working with other operatives on the same grade, for ensuring the correct observance of Health and Safety directives with regards to personal protective equipment, application of Temporary Traffic Management requirements and the safe lifting and handling of materials and plant on site

�ensuring daily performance targets are met, raising any issues in a timely manner with the Supervisor or Site Team Leader

�taking the lead when working with temporary staff, to explain the requirements of the job, answer, or escalate to the Supervisor or Site Team Leader any queries and ensure they are made to feel part of the team

To maintain a safe working environment for the general public whilst carrying out work (i.e. creating a safety zone by road closures, diversions, two way traffic lights or manual traffic control), directing the public in accordance with Chapter 8 Traffic Regulations and arboriculture guidance notes in order for Operations Highways to satisfy all necessary contractual and legislative requirements.

To comply with guidelines relating to methods of work and health and safety matters, and report any arboriculture and safety matters to the Supervisor in order for them to make informed decisions on future action, including the production of site specific risk assessments and adherence to any method statements provided

To assist with organisation of gang structure on a daily basis and complete the allocated work instructions in order to maintain profitability and efficiency.

To record and comply with all necessary paperwork in order to maintain and conform to all contractual and legislative procedures.

To comply with all Health and Safety legislation, Traffic Management requirements and Operational Highways safety and quality procedures to ensure personal safety and that of colleagues and the general public. To comply with all Quality Management Systems, quality procedures and working practices

To maintain personal training records in accordance with the requirements of the personal development process

To comply with risk assessments and safe working practices, ensuring a safe working environment, having regard to statutory requirements such as Health and Safety, COSHH Regulations and Driver's Hours Regulations.

To actively promote equality of opportunity, work towards eliminating discrimination and promote good relations between all groups of people

�The nature of the work may involve the jobholder carrying out activities outside of normal working hours, including night, weekends and public holidays, in all weather conditions to meet the needs of the service.

�The postholder may be required to support a call-out rota on an ad-hoc basis to cover evening, weekend and public holiday emergencies. Exclusion will apply to employees aged under 21.

�Working hours will start and finish at the depot

� The postholder is responsible for getting themselves to/from the depot on a daily basis

� The postholder will be expected to start from, and travel to other depots and or sites, as directed, in order to fulfil departmental work programmes, subject to LCC terms and conditions regarding mileage allowance claims.

�The postholder will work (as instructed by a Supervisor or other Manager) with other individuals, gangs, teams or alone (within lone worker monitoring procedures)

�The postholder will attend Health Surveillance appointments as required

�The postholder will be required to attend, from time to time, training courses, conferences, seminars or other meetings as required

�Expenses will be paid in accordance with the Local Terms and Conditions of Service

�This post is classed as a "Safety Critical Post" and is therefore subject to random Drugs & Alcohol testing.

Salary �13.70 per hour

5 days per week 7.4 hours per day