The City of Canada Bay is a thriving, colourful community, surrounded by the beautiful bays of Sydney Harbour. The area is also known for its parklands, cycle paths and walkways. City of Canada Bay Council’s values underpin how we operate: We act with integrity; We empower our people; We are respectful; We work together; We innovate.

About the role

Are you passionate about trees and eager to contribute to building a better community for the future? Do you want to learn from experienced mentors and grow your skills in urban forestry? We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Urban Forest Project Officer to join our Open Space team!

As part of the Urban Forest & Ecology Team, the Urban Forest Officer plays a vital role in the management, preservation, and maintenance of the urban forest. Reporting to the Urban Forester, this role supports tree management and maintenance programs across the LGA.

Key Responsibilities

Include, but are not limited to:

• Work as part of a team to effectively manage the City’s urban forest resource and provide maintenance and assessment of trees on nature strips, footways, and public landscaped areas. Meet performance targets, including service level agreements.
• Conduct regular inspections of trees in public spaces, assess their health and condition, and execute tree maintenance activities, including pruning, planting, maintenance, and removal, to ensure the urban forest’s health and longevity.
• Maintain accurate records in Council databases using Forestree (Council’s tree management system). This includes assessing new and existing tree assets, tree and site inspections, plantable spaces, species selection, and internal/contractor maintenance activities.
• Assist the Urban Forester in urban forest strategy programs (tree and understory planting programs, contractor planting/management, educational campaigns, community consultation) and in any proactive tree maintenance program as directed by the Urban Forester or Coordinator Urban Forest & Ecology.
• Work with Council’s Urban Forest & Ecology Team and Council’s Health, Building and Compliance Team to investigate alleged unauthorised tree works and ensure all tree management activities align with local and state regulations and council policies.
• Provide advice on tree-related matters to stakeholders, contractors, and the public.

About the person

The successful applicant will have the following:

• Certificate III or V in Arboriculture (AQF3 or AQF5) or other relevant qualifications (e.g. Certificate III Horticulture or Conservation & Land Management) or working towards relevant qualifications or willing to obtain.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience managing or maintenance of trees/landscape/natural areas in the public tree sector or minimum 5 years’ experience working in the private tree sector.
• Problem-solving skills including the ability overcome internal and external challenges.
• Flexible with the ability to work autonomously and part of a team.
• Ability to prioritise workloads as appropriate and assist in various tree matters as required.
• Well-developed communication skills, oral and written, including report writing and ability to engage with people of all levels.
• Current ‘Class C’ Driver's Licence.
• Current WH&S Construction White Card.
• Chainsaw Certificate (minimum Certificate Trim & Cut Felled Timber).

What’s on offer

The City of Canada Bay also offers excellent employee benefits which include:

• $70,211.72 to $80,743.48 + relevant allowances + 11.5% Super
• Continuous training, support, and leadership development
• Health & Wellbeing programs (Yoga classes, Fitness Passport, Flu Vaccinations, Head Space, Skin Cancer Checks)

The City of Canada Bay Council is a Child Safe Organisation that recognises and advocates for the rights of Children and Young People and are committed to a Safe Workplace.

The City of Canada Bay Council is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to maintaining, growing and supporting a diverse, respectful, collaborative & inclusive workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from diverse community groups and ages including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTIQA+, people with disabilities, and other diversity groups.

Formal offers of employment are subject to standard Council pre-employment checks including medical and other background checks.