Grow Your Career Where It Matters Most

Asset Officer – Arboriculture

Permanent Full Time | Wangaratta, VIC | $85,554 per annum + Super

Are you a tree lover with strategic vision? Passionate about sustainable urban forestry and long-term planning? Ready to turn your arboricultural expertise into real, visible impact?

Join the Rural City of Wangaratta as our next Asset Officer – Arboriculture and take the lead in managing the trees that make our region thrive — from streetscapes to open spaces and beyond.

Why This Role is Different

At Wangaratta, we’re not just maintaining trees — we’re investing in green infrastructure, future-proofing our community, and enhancing quality of life for generations to come. In this pivotal role, you’ll become the trusted expert behind our tree planning, preservation, and protection programs across both urban and rural landscapes.

You’ll collaborate across teams, influence planning decisions, and oversee critical audits and programs that directly shape our municipality’s tree strategy.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Leading the maintenance, renewal, watering, and stump removal programs

Managing the tree asset register and delivering the 5-Year Tree Asset Audit

Conducting inspections, risk assessments, and providing arboricultural advice

Overseeing contractors, budgets, procurement and safety compliance

Driving key strategies like the Tree Management Strategy and Electric Line Clearance Plan

Chairing cross-department Tree Planning Meetings

Educating and advocating for tree protection within Council and the community

Who You Are:

You’re not just skilled — you’re passionate, practical, and proactive. You see trees as both community assets and critical infrastructure, and you know how to care for them with science, strategy, and heart.

We’re looking for someone with:

A Certificate IV or higher qualification in Arboriculture, with relevant practical experience

Proven experience managing a tree asset database and implementing tree maintenance programs

Strong communication and interpersonal skills – you can prepare clear reports and engage stakeholders at all levels

A solid grasp of software systems like Excel, Word, TechOne, and arboricultural asset platforms

A current Driver Licence, and preferably a QTRA qualification

The ability to plan, prioritise, and manage arboricultural projects and contractors with limited supervision

Why Work for Rural City of Wangaratta?

Joining our team comes with a variety of exciting benefits, including:

Inclusive, supportive, and nurturing work environment

Ongoing training and professional development opportunities to help you achieve your career goals

Corporate benefits, including flu injections and reduced gym memberships

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health and wellbeing support

Paid Parental Leave

Option to purchase additional annual leave for permanent full-time and part-time employees

Flexible work arrangements and accrued days off (ADO)

The satisfaction of working in a role where your decisions have real, visible impact on your community

For more information and to view the position description, please visit our website at www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au. For enquiries about this position, please contact Ricky Eykenboom - Horticulture Coordinator on [email protected].

Applications close at 3pm on Monday, 8 September 2025, although the right candidate may be appointed earlier.

Rural City of Wangaratta is a child safe and equal opportunity employer. Employment applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are encouraged. In addition, applications for positions that work with children must provide referees who can comment on their experience working with children. These roles also require a valid Working with Children Check and all roles require a National Criminal History Check.

Ready to Apply?

To submit your application, please include:

A short cover letter outlining your interest in the role

Your current resume with at least two referees

A document addressing the key selection criteria (use each criterion as a heading)

Copies of any relevant qualifications or licences