Arboriculture Relationships Officer

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Merton’s Greenspaces Arboriculture Team is entering an exciting period of growth and development, with a renewed focus on tree management, urban forestry, climate resilience, biodiversity and community engagement. To support this, we are creating a new Arboriculture Relationships Officer role. This is an opportunity for someone already working in arboriculture, environmental services, public realm, community engagement or operational service delivery, or for someone with strong transferable skills who wants to build a career in this growing area.

 Trees are a vital part of Merton’s public realm. They support biodiversity, help respond to the climate emergency, improve neighbourhoods and contribute to residents’ health and wellbeing. This role will help ensure the council’s tree-related work is communicated clearly, coordinated effectively and delivered with residents, councillors, contractors, community groups and partners in mind.

 Reporting to the Arboriculture Manager, you will support stakeholder engagement, communications, project coordination, resident and Member enquiries, supplier liaison, performance reporting and community participation. You will work with qualified arboricultural officers to turn technical information about tree planting, pruning, maintenance, inspections, tree health and urban forestry into clear, accessible messages for a wide range of audiences.

 You will also help coordinate arboriculture projects and workstreams, including tree planting programmes, watering initiatives, community greening schemes, externally funded projects, grant opportunities and service improvement activity. This will include tracking actions, monitoring progress, preparing updates and helping identify risks, issues and opportunities for improvement.

 We are open to candidates who are technically qualified in arboriculture, environmental services, public realm or a related discipline, as well as those who are not technically qualified but bring the right aptitude, experience and transferable skills. Your ability to communicate clearly, build relationships, coordinate work, use sound judgement, and learn quickly is more important than holding a specific technical qualification.

Training and support will be available to help you develop your understanding of arboriculture, tree management, urban forestry, community engagement, contract support and public realm service delivery.

This is a new role with real scope to make an impact. If you are passionate about public service, interested in trees and greener neighbourhoods, and ready to bring your communication and relationship-building skills into a growing environmental service, we would like to hear from you.