Urban Forester - Tree Planning

Help Shape Banyule’s Urban Forest - be instrumental in creating a future environment for a healthy urban forest and community.

Are you passionate about sustainability, community wellbeing, and creating greener, more liveable cities? This is your opportunity to play a key role in shaping Banyule’s urban forest and delivering lasting environmental impact.

Join a team dedicated to enhancing the natural beauty and environmental health of Banyule. With over 200 parks and reserves, 50 sports fields, 163 playgrounds, and extensive trail networks, the Parks & Gardens Department is at the heart of our vibrant public spaces. Our Urban Forestry Service Unit manages over 220,000 trees across streets, parks, and reserves—ensuring they thrive and contribute to a more sustainable future.

This is your chance to lead meaningful projects that blend environmental sustainability, urban planning, and community engagement—and leave a lasting impact on the places people live, play, and connect.

About the Role:

As our Urban Forester - Tree Planning, you’ll be the driving force behind our annual tree planting program, supporting the goals of the Urban Forest Strategy and contributing directly to a greener, more sustainable Banyule. From species selection to contractor management, you’ll bring expertise, initiative, and a strong commitment to collaboration.

This position is instrumental in creating a future environment for a healthy urban forest and community. Responsibilities include:

• Scheduling, selection and procuring trees for projects and the annual tree planting program in line with Urban Forest Strategy.
• Providing expert advice in relation to urban forest strategy and planning - ensuring a positive legacy is left for the Urban Forest and the community.
• Providing excellent customer service in relation to tree planting and urban Forestry.
• Liaising with other units regarding tree planting projects to build collaborative and sustainable relationships.
• Work with nurseries and the nursery team to ensure a diversity of trees and plants are available for planting projects.

What we are looking for (skills, experience and certificates)

• Tertiary degree in arboriculture, horticulture, or landscape architecture, with relevant arboricultural experience and expertise.
• Proven experience in implementing and delivering tree-planting programs.
• Demonstrated experience in managing contracts, including developing tender specifications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write reports, consult with the community, and handle external correspondence.
• Experience providing expert arboricultural and landscape design advice for planning referrals.
• A track record of delivering high-quality customer service.
• Ability to prioritise tasks, manage time effectively, and oversee staff, ensuring efficient use of resources to meet objectives.

Pre employment requirements:

• Drivers licence.
• Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) (Previously known as a police check).

We offer:

• Salary from $94,475.99 to $102,712.38 per annum plus super.
• A temporary, full time, position from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2027.
• Flexible work and leave arrangements with a monthly RDO.
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities.
• 18 weeks of paid parental leave - primary carer/2 weeks of paid parental leave – partner.
• Health and well-being initiatives including Fitness Passport.

How to apply:

Please submit your CV and a short cover letter addressing the key selection criteria in the position description. If you have any questions regarding the opportunity please contact Benjamin de Klepper on 0466 939931

Ready to help grow a greener future? Apply now and be part of something truly rewarding. Applications close 1 May 2025 at 11:45pm.

Why Choose Banyule: Join a dedicated team committed to making a positive impact on our community. At Banyule Council, you'll have the opportunity to drive service excellence, engage with diverse stakeholders, and contribute to the betterment of our community. We offer a supportive, collaborative, and innovative work environment where your skills and expertise will be valued and rewarded.

Banyule City Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer; we value diversity and inclusion, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds. If you have a reasonable adjustment, support, or access requirement, we encourage you to inform us through your application or email employment@banyule.vic.gov.au.

Our Values: Our employees align their careers with Banyule because they share our values of respect, integrity, responsibility, initiative, and inclusion. They thrive in our strong learning and development culture, and the positive way we work in partnership with the community.

Diversity Statement: Our community is made up of diverse, cultures, beliefs, abilities, bodies, sexualities, ages, and genders. We are committed to access, equity, participation, and rights for everyone: principles that empower, foster harmony, and increase the wellbeing of an inclusive community.

To discover more about Banyule's commitment to advancing gender equality in the workplace, please find Banyule's Workplace Gender Equality Action Plan 2021-2025.

Acknowledgement of the Traditional Custodians: Banyule City Council is proud to acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as Traditional Custodians of the land and we pay respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, past, present and emerging, who have resided in the area and have been an integral part of the region's history.

Banyule City Council endorses the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full and accepts the invitation to walk with First Nations peoples, to a better future for us all.

Child Safe Standards Statement of Commitment:Banyule City Council is a child-safe organisation and is committed to the safety and well-being of children.

Council has a zero tolerance for child abuse. All allegations and safety concerns will be treated seriously and acted upon. As a child-safe organisation we are committed to providing a child-safe environment where children feel safe, are empowered, valued and protected. Council will actively listen to children, ensuring their voices are heard and considered in decisions that affect their lives.