Open Space Arborist Bayside City Council 6 Oct 2024

Employment Status: Permanent, full time 
Days & Hours of Work: Monday – Friday totalling 38 hours per week
Competitive Salary: Band 6 from $98, p.a.  11.5% superannuation
Location: Corporate Centre in Sandringham, with the flexibility to work from home

About Us:

We are a passionate organisation, connected in our shared goal to be sector leading in all that we do for the community and each other. Home to over 100,000 residents, Bayside City Council’s enduring purpose is building extraordinary places, thriving communities, and better futures.

Bayside Council is an equal-opportunity employer committed to providing an accessible and safe working environment that embraces and values child safety, diversity, and inclusion. Our organisational strategy is made up of three priorities and we consider these in everything we do: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Customer Experience and Results Matter.

We want everyone to be as proud of what we are achieving and excited about our future as we are, and we are committed to working together to achieve this.

About the Role:

Working in a small team, the Open Space Arborist ensures the proper and orderly management of the public tree population in accordance with the Bayside regulatory and legislative framework to deliver extraordinary places and liveability.

You will be responsible for:

  • Providing initial and on-going high-quality advice as a subject matter expert for public infrastructure projects in accordance with organisational policy and strategy.
  • Providing high quality, accurate and reliable advice to internal and external Project Managers and consultants to achieve the best outcome for Council trees and the environment.
  • Managing the operational day to day liaison with Councils tree contractors under the terms and conditions of the Master Services Agreement for civil infrastructure and open spaces contract.
  • Providing direction to Council tree contractors in the operation of programs including cyclic pruning, tree planting, root management, electric line clearance and tree care projects e.g. habitat program and mistletoe recovery programs.
  • Ensuring Tree auditing program and methods are continuously reviewed and improved to ensure a high level of service is provided by the contractor.
  • Responding to customer requests and provide responses in accordance with Councils Customer Service Charter in relation to day-to-day Open Space arboricultural related issues.

Key Selection Criteria:

To be successful in this role, you will bring the following skills and competencies:

  • Relevant tertiary qualifications in Arboriculture – AQF5 minimum
  • Experience in the relevant legislation and regulations pertaining to all aspects of vegetation clearance around electricity lines, road regulations, services e.g. water, gas and telecommunications, specifically Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations, Road Management Act and Code of Practice; Water Act, Telecommunications Act.
  • Experience in dealing successfully with external stakeholders and other parties in the processing of requests for tree maintenance or removal.
  • Experience writing clear and reasoned reports and assessments, appropriate permit conditions and preparing external correspondence.

Mandatory pre-employment requirements:

  • Be willing to undergo and complete a satisfactory criminal history check.
  • Provide or obtain an employment-based Working with Children check.
  • Current Victorian Driver’s licence.

What we can offer you in return: 

  • A work life/balance through flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
  • Generous leave provisions, including accrued time off, parental leave, three days of wellbeing leave per year, cultural and ceremonial leave, gender affirmation leave, plus the ability to purchase up to four weeks additional leave per year.
  • Dedicated Staff Wellbeing programs, events and gym membership discounts.
  • Learning and development opportunities so our people can grow and thrive.
  • A Parkland surrounded office that is only short 500m stroll to the beach.
  • Free onsite staff parking plus hybrid vehicles that employees can book for work related travel.
  • A Green Money program, that rewards our staff for taking simple everyday steps to a more substantiable and climate aware living.

If you are ready to be part of our incredible organisation, and you think this role is the right fit for you, then we look forward to finding out more about you and what you would bring to this role.

How to apply:

  1. To discover more about the role and responsibilities review the Position Description
  2. Provide a cover letter responding to the Key Selection Criteria and what has motivated you to apply for this role.
  3. Click Apply to submit your application.
  4. If you require reasonable adjustment at any point throughout the recruitment process, then please do let us know by contacting the listed Hiring Manager.

Applications close: Sunday 6 October, 11:55pm

Please note – Shortlisting will commence prior to the closing date so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

If you would like to learn more about this opportunity or have any question, please contact Melanie Starr on  or via email

Bayside City Council prides itself on its values of Respect Each Other, Own It, Work Together and Find Better Ways.

Bayside City Council proudly acknowledges the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land, and we pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging as well as all Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community members with us today.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to an equitable, diverse and socially inclusive work environment. We actively encourage applicants with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, people living with disability, LGBTIQA people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply for this opportunity.