Executive Tree, Parks & Landscape Officer

The Executive Tree, Parks & Landscape Officer will play a key role in the planning, management, protection, and enhancement of Cork City Council’s parks, open spaces, landscapes, and tree resource. Working as part of the Parks & Recreation Team, they will contribute to the delivery of high-quality, safe, attractive, and sustainable public spaces across the city.

The role provides professional arboricultural and landscape expertise to support parks management, green infrastructure development, planning processes, and the Council’s climate action and biodiversity objectives. A central focus is the strategic management and protection of the city’s tree resource, ensuring trees are appropriately managed, protected, and integrated into Cork’s ongoing greening and resilience.

The postholder will work closely with colleagues across the organisation, elected members, external stakeholders, and the public to help shape a greener, healthier, and more liveable city.

They will report to the Senior Parks & Landscape Officer, or such other person as may be assigned from time to time by Cork City Council.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate, through application and interview:

• Relevant experience in parks, landscape, and arboricultural management

• Understanding of tree and green infrastructure management in an urban local authority context

• Experience in the planning, development, and maintenance of high-quality public spaces

• Knowledge of environmental, biodiversity, and climate action principles in the public realm

• Strong analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to advise a range of stakeholders

• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team and manage competing priorities

• Commitment to public service values and sustainable service delivery

• Experience in staff management and supervision

• Ability to deliver quality outcomes, ensure compliance, communicate effectively, and manage resources

• Knowledge of legislation, policies, and regulations relevant to parks, landscape, and arboriculture

• Understanding of planning law and processes, including planning applications, Large Scale Residential Developments, Local Area Plans, and the Development Plan

• Knowledge of health and safety legislation and its application in the workplace

DUTIES

The duties of the Executive Tree, Parks & Landscape Officer include, but are not limited to:

• Assist in the planning, development, management, and enhancement of public parks, open spaces, landscapes, and the wider public realm in line with Council policies and standards

• Manage and protect the local authority’s tree resource across parks, streets, housing estates, and other lands, including tree condition assessment, safety evaluation, and specification of appropriate arboricultural works

• Provide professional arboricultural and landscape input to planning applications, development proposals, and infrastructure projects, including assessment of reports, tree protection measures, and mitigation proposals

• Contribute to the development and delivery of green infrastructure, urban greening programmes, and the integration of trees and landscapes into climate action, biodiversity, and sustainability objectives

• Investigate reports of hazardous trees, landscape features, and public realm issues, and recommend prioritised remedial or preventative actions in line with duty of care requirements

• Assist in the specification, supervision, and inspection of landscape and arboricultural works delivered by direct labour or contractors, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and contract requirements

• Contribute to the development, implementation, and review of policies, strategies, guidelines, and standards relating to parks, trees, landscapes, and the public realm

• Provide professional advice and technical support to Council officers, elected members, community groups, external agencies, and the public on parks, trees, and landscape matters

• Respond to public enquiries, complaints, and service requests in a timely, professional, and customer-focused manner

• Maintain accurate records, reports, and data relating to tree inspections, landscape assets, works programmes, and related administrative systems

• Assist with procurement, contract administration, budget monitoring, and reporting for parks, landscape, and arboricultural services

• Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and contribute to continuous improvement and organisational objectives

• Undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as assigned from time to time

The above specification is not intended to be exhaustive. The postholder may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and contribute to the development of the role over time.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST

Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Education, Experience, etc.

Candidates shall on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms for the post:

• Hold a qualification in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Arboriculture, Natural or Environmental Science (Level 8 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications)

Desirable Skills

• A minimum of five years’ post-graduate satisfactory experience in the planning, design, development, and management of one or more of the following: parks, heritage landscapes and gardens, open spaces, green infrastructure, public realm and urban design, urban forestry, tree management, sports grounds, recreation and play facilities, burial grounds, community gardens, or allotments

• High standard of professional competence and relevant sector experience

• Ability to work effectively on own initiative and as part of a team, including the ability to manage and motivate staff to achieve corporate objectives

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including interest groups and public representatives

• Proven ability to deliver projects on time and within budget, including experience in procurement, and working with contractors and professional consultants

• Ability to develop policies, strategies, best practice guidance, and prepare technical reports as required

• Good working knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements applicable to local authorities, including health and safety legislation

Salary

The salary scale for the post is:

€60,858 - €63,071 - €65,286 - €67,505 - €69,722 - €71,938 - €74,157 - €76,362 - €78,591 - €80,801 - €83,348 (LSI 1) - €84,596 (LSI 2)

In accordance with Departmental Circular Letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011 will enter the scale at the minimum point.

Hours of Duty

• The standard working week is 35 hours per week. The role may, on occasion, require evening or weekend work

• Holders of the post may be required to attend for duty at any time, in accordance with arrangements made by the local authority. The Council reserves the right to alter hours of work from time to time

• All hours worked will be subject to the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and the Organisation of Working Time (Regulations) Act, 2001