Tree Programs Lead

• Permanent, Full Time
• $110,506.76 per annum plus Superannuation
• Join the City Parks and Open Spaces team

Hume City Council is one of Australia’s fastest growing and culturally diverse councils. We put the customer and our community at the centre of all that we do, ensuring our services are efficient and accessible.

Shape the future of one of Victoria’s fastest‑growing urban environments

Hume City Council is seeking an experienced and motivated arboriculture professional to lead key programs that protect, renew, and expand our urban forest. This is a unique opportunity to influence city‑wide outcomes and help build a greener, more climate‑resilient future for our community.

As the Tree Programs Lead, you’ll provide expert advice across planning and infrastructure projects, guide strategic planting and renewal programs, and ensure high‑quality outcomes through strong data, contract, and asset management. You’ll play a central role in safeguarding existing trees, driving canopy growth, and embedding best‑practice arboriculture across the organisation.

You’ll supervise the Tree Establishment Programs Officer, collaborate with planners, engineers, contractors, and community stakeholders, and contribute to policy, strategy, species trials, and long‑term urban forest planning.

If you’re passionate about urban forestry, confident working in complex project environments, and ready to lead programs that make a lasting impact, we’d love to hear from you.

What you’ll be doing:

• Review and advise on planning and project referrals impacting Council trees and provide tree protection conditions and ensure quality outcomes in new developments.
• Quantify impacts and loss using the Hume Tree Valuation Method and constructor rates.
• Guide and support the Tree Establishment Programs Officer.
• Align team efforts with Council and Urban Forest unit priorities and ensure compliance and manage performance and development.
• Prepare and supervise contracts and specifications aligned with tree supply and establishment, arboriculture consultancy, plant health and data collection.
• Contribute to and oversee tree data collection, auditing, and spatial mapping.
• Develop planting programs in synergy with tree maintenance programs and renewal.
• Develop and review tree renewal plans, enhancement programs, and maintenance specifications.

The skills and experience you’ll bring to the role:

• Expertise in tender writing, contract management, and policy development.
• Skilled in research and analysis to inform arboricultural and urban forestry practices.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, codes of practice, and safe operation of plant/equipment.
• Capable of writing and reviewing technical arboricultural reports and interpreting civil/landscape designs.
• Extensive experience in urban tree management, planning referrals, and arboricultural reporting.
• Proficient in technical report writing, digital tools (Word, Excel), GIS, and asset management systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience in community engagement for tree programs.

Required Certifications & Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Arboriculture, Horticulture, or equivalent.
• Membership with professional bodies such as Arboriculture Australia or ISA
• Current driver’s licence.

Why Hume City Council?

A leader in local government, we’re committed to creating an inclusive and collaborative work environment that is guided by our values:

We’re better, every day: We give things a go and value progress over perfection. We have permission to go for it and are expected to reflect and learn.

We’re in it together: At Hume, everyone matters. We Welcome and include all. Respect and safety are expected.

We show up: We empower and trust others and own our work. We rise to the challenges and are expected to do what we say we will.

All for Hume: We strive to achieve our best for the Hume Community. We are proud and passionate about working towards better outcomes and expect they are at the centre of everything we do.

We offer a competitive salary package, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.

A child safe organisation and an equal opportunity employer. Council encourages people of all ages, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTIQA+ people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply.

All candidates will be required to undertake background and probity checks including Reference Checks, Working with Children Check, and a Criminal Record Check.

For any queries, please contact us at [email protected].