Tree Establishment Officer

Tree Establishment Officer

• Salary Range Band 6 $102,620 to $111,855 plus 12% Super
• Full Time, permanent position
• Located at St Kilda Town Hall or the South Melbourne Operations Centre with flexible working arrangements.

About the Organisation

The City of Port Phillip is an inner-city council with around 1000 employees who deliver more than 100 programs and services to our residents, businesses and visitors. These range from childcare and immunisations, to libraries, management of parks and open space, rubbish collection, road maintenance and more.

City of Port Phillip has zero tolerance for child abuse and is a committed child safe organisation.

About the Role

You'll be joining our dedicated Parks and Trees Team, a passionate team committed to enhancing community spaces and delivering exceptional outcomes for our urban environment. As a key contributor to this high-performing team, you will play a leading role in shaping the future of our City's tree canopy.

You will drive the planning, delivery, and continual improvement of Council's tree establishment program, ensuring every tree planted has the best possible start to thrive. You'll champion quality, innovation and sustainability as you guide program development and support best practice urban forest management across the organisation.

Duties

• Prepare and implement tree planting plans and establishment programs for new and replacement street and park trees identified through customer requests, tree removals and infill planting assessments, to support the delivery of Council's Urban Forest Strategy 2024-2040.

• Respond to enquiries and service requests from internal and external stakeholders regarding tree planting and tree management matters, providing specialist technical advice, resolving issues, and issuing work instructions to contractors as required.

• Monitor and ensure compliance with contract specifications, service standards, management plans, maintenance programs and planting programs, maintaining accurate records and documentation to support program delivery and accountability.

Skills and Experience

• Relevant qualification in Arboriculture, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, or a related discipline, together with a minimum of five years' relevant professional experience, preferably within a local government environment.

• Demonstrated broad technical knowledge of urban forest management, including a sound understanding of relevant legislation, standards, policies and industry guidelines.

• Proven experience in the development, implementation and management of tree planting, establishment and urban greening programs, or similar initiatives.

• Demonstrated experience providing specialist technical input into the implementation and review of policies, strategies, plans and guidelines relating to urban forest management and tree canopy enhancement.

• Demonstrated experience in the accurate collection, recording and management of data using digital devices, software applications and information management systems.

Culture

People enjoy working at the City of Port Phillip because we are a welcoming, healthy and inclusive workplace. We offer a vibrant and diverse work environment where our employees can develop both professionally and personally whilst planning and delivering a range of important services and programs to the community.

Benefits

• We offer a workplace that accommodates your working style and needs.

• Be supported and empowered by a leadership team that is community focused, with a strong desire for change and a culture that encourages teamwork and innovation.

• Training and development opportunities, study assistance, flexible working conditions, paid parental leave, an active social club, a health and wellbeing program with access to fitness gyms, pools and facilities, and a well regarded Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Security Requirements and Professional Obligations

Pre-employment screening will apply to all appointments.

Prior to a formal letter of offer, preferred applicants will be asked to provide:

• Evidence of mandatory qualifications, registrations and licences.

• Sufficient proof of their right to work in Australia.

• Sufficient proof of their identity.

• Completion of a National Police Check via City of Port Phillip's provider.

• Evidence of a Working with Children Check (employee type with City of Port Phillip registered as the organisation).

How to Apply

APPLY

All applicants must provide a resume and cover letter in response to the Key Selection Criteria located on the last page of the position description. The cover letter should be no longer than two pages and include each heading in the Key Selection Criteria.

Note: Only applications submitted via the online Recruitment Portal will be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be provided feedback.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Shane Hall, Senior Arborist, [email protected].

Applications close 11.59pm Sunday 4 October 2026.

The City of Port Phillip is an equal opportunity employer, committed to an inclusive and accessible environment where diversity is valued. We actively welcome and encourage candidates from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nations and Torres Strait Islander candidates, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and candidates with disability.

If you have accessibility requirements or require an adjustment to participate in our recruitment and selection process, please contact Yass Mustafa (Recruitment & Employee Experience Advisor) on 0468 576 806 or via email at [email protected].

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PD - Tree Establishment Officer - Sept 2026.docx