Position Number: P01171
Directorate: Environment & Planning Services
Service: Healthy Country
Location: Katoomba / Springwood
Date
Created/Updated
February 2026
Position
Classification:
Band 6
POSITION PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE
Oversee and coordinate arboricultural operations to maintain urban forest assets,
ensuring high-quality tree care, safe work practices, and compliance with Council
standards. Lead and support teams, manage operational planning to meet performance
targets, engage with stakeholders, and contribute to urban canopy cover goals.
RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to: Position TitlePrincipal Urban Forest
Report to: Position NumberP01073
Staff Responsibility: 1 x Arboricultural Technician, 1 x Trainee
Arborist.
Key Internal Relationships: Urban Forest Officers, Arborists, Environmental
Scientist / Landscape Assessors, para technical /
business partners and customer service staff,
Council's Safety Team.
Key External Relationships: Residents and other members of the community;
government authorities; other tree / vegetation
and civil contractors.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership & supervision
• Supervise and coordinate arboricultural site activities, providing on-the-job guidance,
coaching, and training.
* Demonstrate positive leadership to achieve corporate goals and foster a participative
team environment.
* Communicate effectively with staff to optimise resource use and encourage ownership
of work.
* Share knowledge and expertise, mentoring team members to build capability.
* Use digital systems to ensure timely completion of documentation, incident reporting,
and compliance with Council records management policies.
Operational Coordination & Technical Arboriculture
• Coordinate and oversee arboricultural services to meet operational plans and defined
targets.
* Perform specialist low level tree climbing using rope and harness, including aerial
rescue techniques.
* Undertake advanced chainsaw operations for tree removal and pruning including work
from heights.
* Operate wood chipping equipment, plant trees, stake, mulch, and water cart as
required.
* Implement pest control measures in parks and roadside vegetation.
* Manage worksites, including traffic control, signage, and risk management measures.
* Maintain Council machinery, equipment, and personal protective equipment according
to manufacturer recommendations.
* Develop daily work strategies balancing safety, productivity, and worker fatigue.
* Support urban forest strategy implementation and maintain digital tree management
databases.
* Undertake emergency "make safe" works following adverse weather or other events.
* Implement tree care strategies to improve tree health, conserve habitat, and enhance
the urban canopy.
Teamwork & Quality Outcomes
• Contribute to a positive, respectful, and healthy team environment.
* Promote excellence in customer service and a customer-focused culture.
* Champion continuous improvement in processes, systems, and documentation.
* Act with integrity, sound judgment, and transparency in all operations.
Guiding Principles
* We act as one organisation responding to the changing needs of our LGA and
community
* We are strategy led, driven by our Community Strategic Plan with clear priorities and
focus
* We are service focused we continuously improve service provision and provide
excellent customer service
* We collaborate and work together to achieve our outcomes
* We ensure safety and well-being is at the centre of our organisation, operations and
culture
* We are a financially sustainable organisation, living within our means, ensuring best
value resource allocation
These Guidelines complement the Council's adopted Values of: Work Together; Work
Safe Home safe; Service Excellence; Value for Money; Trust and Respect; and,
Supporting Community
Workplace Health & Safety
Ensure compliance with WHS obligations and responsibilities as outlined in Councils
policies and procedures and under the relevant WHS legislation. These include but are
not limited to: identifying potentially unsafe situations or work practices and notifying your
Supervisor or Manager (or the Health, Safety Manager/Area Safety Representative);
never performing a task that you believe is dangerous or for which you do not have the
experience, or have not received appropriate instructions and training or where the correct
equipment to carry out the task safely is not available; always work in a safe manner and
in accordance with safety instructions, where applicable; use the work equipment supplied
for the job, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions), and any personal
protective equipment, which the Council deems necessary and has provided; be safety
aware and report any actions to your line manager which will assist the Council to meet
its legal workplace health and safety obligations.
You have the right to cease or direct cessation of unsafe work. In addition, you are required
at all times to comply with Councils Asbestos Management Plan and Policy.
COMMUNICATION
Clear communication skills are required. The person will communicate with a wide range
of people in a variety of internal and external settings. The person will need persuasive
skills to resolve problems or provide specialised advice. The role will require persons to
represent and clearly articulate Council's position in negotiations and discussions with
external parties and organisations.
JUDGEMENT & PROBLEM SOLVING
The role requires a consultative, assertive, and directive approach in exercising judgement
and problem-solving skills. The position is responsible for making decisions on daily and
weekly work priorities within the framework of approved programs and guidelines. This
includes using judgement and problem-solving abilities to adjust and enhance work
arrangements, evaluate options, and allocate tasks appropriately. The role involves
completing tasks of varying complexity, with assistance available for more challenging
problem-solving. Key skills required include:
* The ability to recognise issues and use initiative to develop creative solutions.
* The capacity to respond promptly to changing circumstances and make sound
decisions that ensure ongoing efficiency and effectiveness.
* Competence in establishing and analysing data to determine the best course of action.
AUTHORITY
Provides a specialised/technical service in the completion of work and/or projects which
have elements of complexity (composed of many parts that may be more conceptual than
definite). Decisions and advice given may commit the council to a course of action.
SKILL, EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS & BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES
Essential
* Certificate III in Horticulture (Arboriculture) or relevant trade experience.
* Supplemented qualifications / additional training in:
o Recognised training and experience in chainsaw operation at Level Basic to
Advanced.
o Traffic Controller Accreditation (or ability and willingness to obtain within first 6
months of employment).
o Elevated Work Platform operator Workcover licence (or ability and willingness to
obtain within first 6 months of employment).
o Aerial Rescue Statement of Attainment.
o Work safely near live electrical apparatus qualification (or ability and willingness to
obtain within first 6 months of employment).
* General Safety Induction (Construction Industry) – White Card.
* A current MR drivers' licence (or ability to obtain within a 6-month period).
* Demonstrated industry experience in arboriculture practices, including rigging, knot
tying and the safe use of operating plant such as woodchipper, chainsaw, stump
grinder and other tools and equipment.
* Strong leadership in meeting corporate objectives, independently managing
arboriculture activities, and efficiently coordinating a small team, resources, and
schedules to achieve results while promoting staff engagement.
* Demonstrated ability to plan and prioritise tasks within deadlines, manage site risks
with appropriate safety measures, perform work to established standards while
collaboratively reviewing outcomes for quality, analyze situations to reach logical
conclusions with recommendations, and build positive working relationships for
effective teamwork..
* Strong observation, design plan interpretation, and problem-solving skills with a focus
on best practice work processes.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to deliver on-the-
job training and mentoring, along with proficiency in Microsoft software, Council-
specific programs, and mobile technology for practical workplace applications.
* Proficiency in tree climbing using rope and harness, including relevant rigging skills.
* Physical fitness and agility to perform labor-intensive tasks, including frequent heavy
lifting and bending.
* Understanding of Workplace Health and Safety requirements and work practices in a
parks and gardens environment.
* A proven record of using digital operating systems for workload / customer
management and / or for maintaining / improving a green assets data base.
Desirable
* TRAC or QTRA training