Senior Tree Management Specialist

Permanent, Full-Time | $117,866.11 - $136,565.60 + 12% superannuation | Mortdale

Help shape the future of tree management across the Georges River community. This is an opportunity to lead Council's Tree Management Service, providing expert arboricultural leadership while driving service improvements, regulatory compliance and best-practice tree asset management. Working across strategic planning, governance, risk management and customer service, you will play a key role in delivering transparent, consistent and evidence-based outcomes for the community.

Reporting to the Head of Parks and Presentation, the Senior Tree Management Specialist is responsible for the strategic leadership, governance and continuous improvement of Council's Tree Management Service. The role leads the assessment, inspection and regulatory functions associated with public and private trees, ensuring consistent decision-making, legislative compliance and effective risk management across the local government area.

You will be responsible for overseeing tree permit processes, complex arboricultural assessments, tree inspections, asset information and service performance reporting, while providing expert arboricultural advice to Council and a broad range of stakeholders. The position plays a key role in implementing strategic initiatives arising from the Tree Management Service Review and identifying opportunities to improve service delivery, customer experience, operational efficiency and transparency.

Leading and developing a team of Tree Management Officers, you will provide technical direction, quality assurance and mentoring to support consistent and defensible decision-making. You will also oversee the management and continuous improvement of tree asset data, inspection records and performance information, supporting informed decision-making, resource planning and proactive tree asset management.

Working closely with residents, contractors, utility providers, regulatory authorities and internal stakeholders, you will manage complex and sensitive tree matters, contribute to urban forest objectives and represent Council on technical arboricultural issues. This is an influential role that combines specialist arboricultural expertise with leadership, service improvement and stakeholder engagement to support the effective management of Georges River Council's tree assets.

What we Offer

• Permanent Full-Time - 70 hours per fortnight 
• Salary from $117,866.11- $136,565.60 per annum plus 12% superannuation 
• Generous leave entitlements, including annual leave, personal leave, additional MyLeave, and enhanced parental leave
• 9-day fortnight subject to operational requirements
• Leaseback vehicle OR Vehicle Allowance
• Fitness Passport Program offering discounted membership for you and your family to selected facilities
• Employee Rewards Program

What We Are Looking For

• AQF Level 5 or higher qualification in Arboriculture
• Extensive experience in urban tree management and arboricultural assessment
• Demonstrated experience in tree risk assessment and mitigation
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, standards, and best practices
• Experience managing contractors and service delivery programs
• Well-developed analytical, reporting, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Current Class C Driver’s Licence
• Construction Induction Card (White Card), or ability to attain
• Demonstrated experience managing complaint internal and external service provision, with a focus on achieving customer satisfaction
• Robust understanding of WHS, safe plant operation, risk assessment procedures and the management of Work Health and Safety in the workplace
• Demonstrated experience in researching and preparing documents including reports, policies, briefs, specifications, tenders and grant applications
• Financial acumen including experience with forward works programming, financial control and budget preparation

If you have made a positive commitment to further your career and you possess the attributes located in the Position Description essential criteria, then please submit your application today.

Applicants are asked to ensure that they provide responses to the targeted questions, failure to do so may result in your application not being considered.

If you would like further information on this role, please contact Greg Knight, Executive Manager City Presentation and Operations on 02 9330 9311.

Applications must be completed and submitted via our website. Closing Date: Wednesday 25 November 2026 11:59pm ADST

Offers of employment at Georges River Council are contingent upon satisfactory results of a thorough background check.

Georges River Council is a progressive, people-focused organisation with 600 dedicated staff delivering exceptional services to our diverse and vibrant community. Our vision is to be 'naturally connected to place, community, and Country'. We are committed to creating accessible green, and liveable spaces, nurturing creativity, protecting the natural environment, and building a thriving local economy.

We foster our values of Accountability, Professionalism, Unity and Honesty and take pride in promoting the image of Council in the community.

We are committed to building a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, workers of all ages, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

At Georges River Council we are committed to putting children first and championing child safety within our community. We actively advocate for the rights of children and young people and will uphold our commitment as a child safe organisation.

 Please note you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident or have unlimited working rights (with no Visa restrictions) to apply for this position.

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