Purpose of the post
•Ensure that the people of Gwynedd are at the heart of everything we do.
•To support the work of the Climate Change and Environmental Manager.
Strategic Road Network (SRN)
•To be responsible for managing the trees, woodlands and hedgerows on the trunk network in the North & Mid Wales regions in accordance with Welsh Government requirements and legislation and standards.
•To manage a programme of tree safety surveys (including Ash dieback inspections) along the North and Mid Wales trunk road routes.
•To manage the works aspect of the S154 process (Highways Act 1980)
•To coordinate the tree planting and maintenance programme, including street trees
•To be responsible for the implementation and review of the NMWTRA tree safety strategy and tree related policy documents within the soft estate and environmental manual.
•Provide technical specialism for the tree safety management system (currently Ezytreev).
•To line manage a team of Arboricultural Officers based across North and Mid Wales.
•To establish, co-ordinate and manage work programmes for the maintenance of trees, woodlands, hedgerows and associated soft estate undertaken by service providers.
•To manage a range of projects for example implementing nature-based solutions.
•To support the NMWTRA Environmental Team in the management of the Welsh Government trunk road soft estate and to provide general advice or training on arboriculture and soft estate management to NMWTRA staff.
•Liaise with network operations teams with tree related matters on the network.
Responsibility for functions
Direct line management of 6 Arboriculture Officers (4 based in North Wales and 2 based in Mid Wales)
Responsibility for managing subcontractors (40+) operating on the network.
Budget planning, programming and commissioning works.
•Endoscopes for bat surveys
•PiCUS
•Resistograph resistance drill
•Binoculars
•Tablet / laptop
•Mobile phone
•PPE
Main duties
Management
To lead on all aspects of tree, woodland and hedgerow management and arboriculture service delivery across the NMWTRA SRN area to ensure an effective, efficient, and consistent service delivery across the SRN in accordance with the requirements of the Welsh Government Managing Agency Agreement (WAGMAA) and Maintenance Manual (WGTRMM).
Surveys and Inspections
To manage a programme of systematic inspections of trees and woodlands along the Trunk Road Network in accordance with Welsh Government Trunk Road Maintenance Manual (WGTRMM) requirements. This includes all trees within falling distance of the highway or other assets, both those growing in the Welsh Government (WG) Trunk Road soft estate as well as third-party privately-owned trees. It also includes trees growing in the soft estate within falling distance of a third-party property / assets.
•To arrange and manage a programme of tree safety surveys in accordance with the assessment requirements of Annex A Tree Safety Risk Matrix and the WG Soft Estate and Environment Manual.
•To arrange and manage a programme of ash dieback tree surveys in accordance with the requirements of the WG Soft Estate and Environment Manual.
•To assist with the design and implementation of a programme of tree planting (street trees, woodland creation, hedge planting etc) to include maintenance.
Ensure survey records are collected in the field correctly using handheld digital capture devices fitted with GPS and that data is managed and maintained in line with agreed processes.
Trees are to be risk assessed, prioritised, and recommended actions assigned. Where necessary further inspections and investigations may be required on individual trees. Input and maintain data within Welsh Government’s tree management systems (Ezytreev / other)
Ensure that all monitoring inspections required to validate that work has been completed on defective trees identified in the survey. Feedback and coordination with the Business Team to ensure that the tree management systems are kept up-to date.
To manage the works aspect of the S154 process (Highways Act 1980) for dealing with unactioned hazardous trees on private land. Liaise with contractors, provide advice and supervision as required.
Ensure audits of work are carried out and that tree works are carried out to the required standard.
Responsible for the NMWTRA PiCUS and Resistograph resistance drill and to ensure that the Arb team are competent to use them.
To manage ad-hoc surveys of trees / woody vegetation at the request from others such as Welsh Government, NMWTRA staff or a complaint from the public.
Manage the tree safety and tree management related budgets.
b) Woodlands
To establish and manage a programme of surveys and inspections of the woodlands, planted plots and ENVIS woodland related categories within the soft estate. Recommend, implement, and record management of these to ensure that woodland management and conservation objectives are achieved in line with WG functions.
Identify tree pest and diseases, non-native species that may pose a threat to tree health or biodiversity and contribute to management strategy to manage these.
Input and maintain tree related inventory data within Welsh Government’s soft estate asset management systems (ELM system - in development)
Arrange ad-hoc surveys of trees at the request from others such as Welsh Government, NMWTRA staff or a complaint from the public.
c) Biodiversity
Ensure that constraints which may impact on management of trees or woodland such as protected species, sites or designations such as SSSIs, Tree Preservation Orders or Conservation Areas are identified and ensure process is followed to arrange necessary surveys, consultations and applications for consent etc, prior to works.
Ensure all required checks are carried out and follow NMWTRA processes e.g. using the trunk road environmental checking system (TRECS) and carrying out pre work checks for nesting birds.
Ensure that teams understand and are following processes related to the above and they are documented within the soft estate and environmental manual.
d) Climate Change and Innovation
Support the development and implementation of the NMWTRA climate change strategy.
Support and develop the use of nature-based solutions e.g., SUDs, natural flood management, carbon accounting.
e) Maintenance
To lead on designing and implement management programmes for soft estate works in accordance with Welsh Government environmental management plans, the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB), legislation and best practice requirements.
To organise and prioritise work schedules for the delivery and management of tree and hedgerow remedial and management works programmes.
To lead on designing and implementation of management programmes for the woodland areas and hedgerows to include thinning, pruning and, tree disease management and enhancing biodiversity as agreed with the Climate Change and Environmental Manager, Environmental Co-ordinators and/or Ecologist.
To establish programmes of work, draw up project briefs and procure works in co-ordination with the route management and environment teams and other NMWTRA staff.
To meet with specialist contractors to discuss work required and assess work method statements, risk assessments and other documentation received from them. To assess quality of work undertaken by contractors and ensure that environmental legislation and good working practices complied with.
Assist with implementing third party hazardous and nuisance tree processes under s154 of the Highways Act 1980. This may include site visits to meet and discuss tree related issues with third party landowners.
Undertake and implement a work programme to maintain or replace biodiversity infrastructure assets in conjunction with the Environmental Co-ordinators or Ecologists.
To support the NMWTRA Route Management teams with tree related enquiries and environmental management issues during emergencies including occasional incidents out of hours.
To provide support to the NMWTRA Ecologist and Department’s Representative in regard of environmental issues on the A55 Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) section from Junction 1 to Junction 11 and associated roads.
To lead on to managing Category 1 and 2 tree safety risks as per Annex A and the WG Soft Estate and Environment Manual requirements for WG owned trees and Third Party owned trees adjacent to SRN.
To establish, co-ordinate and manage work programmes for the maintenance of trees, woodlands, hedgerows and associated soft estate undertaken by service providers.
To establish and manage a programme of surveys and inspections of the woodlands and planted plots within the soft estate and recommend management, implement, and record. Also identify tree pest and diseases, non-native species that may pose a threat to tree health or biodiversity.
To provide general advice or training on arboriculture and soft estate management to NMWTRA staff.
To keep up with best practice and continue to develop the Arboriculture team.
To manage external service providers (consultants / designers as a Project Sponsor and contractors)
To manage relationships and liaison with environmental partners and stakeholders.
To assist and advise the Environment team and Welsh Government regarding potential improvements to urban forestry and arboricultural practice, biodiversity, landscape or environmental management.
To provide support to NMWTRA teams and supply chain to manage the risks of damaging or disturbing ecosystems in particular the implementation of the Manual for Contract Documents for Highway Works (MCHW) Series 3000 Landscape and Ecology.
To support the Climate Change and Environmental Manager, Environmental Co-Ordinators and Ecologists in the delivery of Welsh Government biodiversity objectives and Ministerial initiatives (e.g., Green Corridors) to meet Environment Act (Wales) 2016 requirements.
To contribute appropriately to the management of the NMWTRA Environmental Risk Database.
e) Capital Improvements
To advise the Delivery & Inspection Unit and service providers in the design and implementation of planned capital improvement projects including work programmes for street lighting, structures, drainage and geotechnical works and ensure that trees are adequately considered and given appropriate protection to roots etc.
Other Requirements
To manage programmes of works and associated budgets.
To provide technical support to NMWTRA and Welsh Government and respond to queries from members of the public.
To assist in the preparation of reports to Agency senior management and Welsh Government.
To identify own training needs and participate in providing and receiving training as required.
To liaise with SWTRA, National England, UK Highways Ltd, Forest Research, Coed Cymru, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), and Principal Designers, Principal Contractors (e.g. developers, landowners, utilities and Network Rail) in respect of planning or operational issues on or adjacent to the network.
To provide Welsh Government with technical advice to enable it to discharge its statutory duties about trees related matters and in particular WG major infrastructure projects.
General
To ensure that Health and Safety matters are fully considered and managed in all aspects of the work of the Agency.
To assist NMWTRA and Service Providers to ensure compliance with:
•NMWTRA health & safety procedures.
•Construction (Design and Management) Regulations.
•Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations.
To deal with complaints and enquiries in a courteous and professional manner.
To foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. In this context, to monitor technological and other developments in the industry, including new methods, with the aim of adopting best practice wherever appropriate.
To support and assist the Environment team, in the fulfilment of their duties and responsibilities.
To assist other Agency staff in fulfilling their technical, financial and administrative duties.
To communicate effectively and courteously with elected members, the public, members and officers of the Welsh Government and other external organisations and bodies.
To co-operate and liaise with staff from other Departments of the Council, and Partner Authorities in order to promote the effective management of the Agency.
To supervise and provide guidance on work carried out by subordinate staff.
To ascertain and hold the latest information regarding professional standards, statutory requirements, technical developments and computer applications.
•Responsibility for self-development.
•In the fulfilment of the above duties, to liaise as appropriate with Welsh Government Officers, Partner Authorities and other relevant bodies.
•Ensure compliance with Health and Safety rules in the workplace in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
•Operate within the Council’s policies in relation to equal opportunities and equality.
•Responsible for managing information in accordance with the Council’s information management guidelines.
•Ensure that personal information is treated in accordance with Data Protection legislation.
•Commitment to reducing the Council’s carbon emissions in accordance with the Climate Change Strategy, Carbon Management Plan, and to encourage others to act positively towards reducing the Council’s Carbon Footprint
•Undertake any other reasonable duty which corresponds to the salary level and responsibility level of the job.
This is an illustrative list only. The post holder is expected to have a role in the process of managing and monitoring performance in accordance with the requirement of the post and to carry out other duties relevant to the nature and grade of the post in accordance with the Ecologist’s requests.
Health & Safety and Environmental
•To ensure the Arboricultural team are compliant with all health & safety aspects of the roles including implementing risk management through compliance with established safe systems of work, risk assessments, method statements, trunk road talks, training and the H&S system.
•Actively participate and lead as required reviews of the environment teams risk assessments and method statements to ensure they are relevant and to facilitate continuous improvement.
•To ensure that health, safety and environmental risk assessment processes are fully considered in all aspects of the work of the environmental service such as the need for traffic management (TM) and that these are adequately documented.
•Carry out supervision, audits, near miss investigations etc and manage H&S requirements through the NMWTRA H&S system (Evotix).
•Participate in the agency wide H&S and Environment group (SAFER)
•It is the responsibility of every employee within the Agency to comply with the Health and Safety, environmental and quality policies as defined within the Agency Integrated Business Management System.
•Ensure that Health and Safety at Work and environmental legislation and policies are strictly adhered to.
•Always undertake personal Health and Safety responsibility.
•The post holder is expected to be aware of the requirements e.g., the Health and Safety legislation and to cooperate with the Council’s Health and Safety Manager to ensure compliance with the relevant requirements.
•Responsibility for self-development.
•Ensure compliance with Health and Safety rules in the workplace in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
•Operate within the Council’s policies in relation to equal opportunities and equality.
•Responsible for managing information in accordance with the Council’s information management guidelines. Ensure that personal information is treated in accordance with Data Protection legislation.
•Commitment to reducing the Council’s carbon emissions in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan, and to encourage others to act positively towards reducing the Council’s Carbon Footprint.
•Undertake any other reasonable duty which corresponds to the salary level and responsibility level of the job.
•Responsibility to report any concern or suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused.
Special circumstances
•Requirement to work hours which are outside normal working hours (bandwidth 07:00hrs to 18:00hrs in accordance with the flexi hours scheme) as requested for example early morning work to undertake nesting bird surveys and / or weekend inspections within traffic management.
•Requirement that the post holder will undertake training as and when required. Work towards obtaining protected species licences if required.
•Attend occasional meetings in other parts of the UK (e.g. Llandrindod, Cardiff).