Tree Programs Lead, Hume City Council

Position Overview

Salary: AUD 110,506.76 per year plus superannuation

Education Required: Degree or Diploma in Arboriculture, Horticulture, or equivalent

Description

Hume City Council is hiring a Tree Programs Lead based in Coolaroo, Victoria, Australia, a permanent full-time position with annual salary of AUD 110,506.76 plus superannuation, working within the City Parks and Open Spaces team.

Hume City Council is one of Australia’s fastest-growing and culturally diverse councils, serving one of Victoria’s fastest-growing urban environments. The Tree Programs Lead helps protect, renew, and expand the urban forest, building a greener and more climate-resilient future for the community.

The Tree Programs Lead provides expert advice across planning and infrastructure projects, guides strategic planting and renewal programs, and ensures high-quality outcomes through strong data, contract, and asset management. The role supervises the Tree Establishment Programs Officer and collaborates with planners, engineers, contractors, and community stakeholders, contributing to policy, strategy, species trials, and long-term urban forest planning.

Responsibilities

• Review and advise on planning and project referrals impacting Council trees; 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; ensure compliance and manage performance and development.
• Prepare and supervise contracts and specifications for 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 and renewal.
• Develop and review tree renewal plans, enhancement programs, and maintenance specifications.

Requirements

• 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 and equipment.
• Ability to write and review technical arboricultural reports and interpret civil and landscape designs.
• Extensive experience in urban tree management, planning referrals, and arboricultural reporting.
• Proficiency 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.
• Degree or Diploma in Arboriculture, Horticulture, or equivalent.
• Membership with a professional body such as Arboriculture Australia or ISA.
• Current driver licence.

Additional Notes

• Permanent, full-time position based in Coolaroo, Victoria.
• Hume Council values: better every day, in it together, show up, all for Hume.
• A child-safe organisation and an equal opportunity employer; people of all ages, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTIQA+ people, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
• All candidates will undergo background and probity checks, including reference checks, Working with Children Check, and Criminal Record Check.

How to Apply

Apply through the LinkedIn job posting linked from this listing.

For queries, contact the Hume City Council careers team via the contact channel listed on the posting.