Permanent, full-time

LET’S EXPLORE THE JOB

Are you an experienced arborist ready to take the next step in your career and lead the future of tree management across Lake Macquarie?

This newly created leadership opportunity offers the chance to influence how Council manages one of its most valuable natural assets while making a lasting impact on the environment and community.

This newly established position reflects Council's commitment to strengthening arboricultural expertise, improving service delivery and supporting the safe and sustainable management of Lake Macquarie's urban forest.

As the Senior Inspecting Arborist, you'll lead Council's Team of Inspecting Arborists and report to the Natural Area Projects Coordinator. You'll combine technical expertise, people leadership and strategic thinking to deliver safe, sustainable and community-focused arboriculture outcomes across the city. The role is responsible for managing arboriculture contractors, providing expert technical advice, driving continuous improvement and helping shape the future direction of Council's tree management services.

This is more than a supervisory position. It's an opportunity to lead a specialist team, act as a senior technical authority, champion best-practice arboriculture and contribute to a greener, safer and more resilient Lake Macquarie

This exciting role will:

- Lead and coordinate Council's Team of Inspecting Arborists, providing direction, mentoring, performance support and technical guidance to achieve service and community outcomes

- Manage arboriculture contractors, including contract administration, performance monitoring, quality assurance and compliance with safety, environmental and legislative requirements

- Conduct complex tree risk assessments and provide specialist arboricultural advice in accordance with relevant industry standards and best practice

- Drive continuous improvement by enhancing tree assessment processes, systems, data quality and service delivery

- Build strong partnerships with internal stakeholders and communicate complex technical information to support positive outcomes for the community and environment

- Assist with coordinating arboricultural responses during storm,



severe weather and emergency events, including the assessment and prioritisation of hazardous trees

Read the position statement here and learn more about this exciting opportunity.

LET’S HEAR ABOUT YOU

You're a qualified and experienced arboriculture professional who enjoys leading people, solving complex challenges and delivering outstanding outcomes for the community. You bring a strong customer focus, a commitment to safety and the ability to build trusted relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders.

- Diploma in Horticulture (Arboriculture) (AQF Level 5) or Graduate Certificate (AQF Level 8)

- Demonstrated leadership and communication skills, with the ability to guide, coach and influence others

- Extensive arboriculture knowledge, including complex tree risk assessment and best-practice Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) techniques

- Experience managing contractors, administering contracts and applying safety and environmental risk controls in high-risk environments

- Strong customer service and stakeholder engagement skills, including experience managing sensitive or contentious tree-related matters

- Ability to prepare clear technical reports and communicate specialist advice to both technical and non-technical audiences

- Excellent literacy, numerical and digital literacy skills

- Current Class C Driver's Licence

LET’S REVEAL THE PERKS

This position provides:

- Market-competitive salary from $98,091 to $113,998 per year + 12% superannuation

- Enterprise Agreement pay increases apply

- Commencing salary set in line with skills and experience with annual reviews available to support movement through the salary range

- 35-hour working week, 4-day week

- To and From work vehicle agreement

- Long service leave after 5 years

- Education assistance

- Training and development opportunities





- Corporate fitness program from as little as $8 per week

- Click here to view more perks!

CHOOSE THE LAKE MAC WAY

We know it is our people that will shape the future of our city. That’s why we’re passionate about providing a workplace that empowers our staff to be creative, innovative and bold. When you join the team at Lake Macquarie City Council, you’re joining a group of people with a commitment to make our city even better. We’re proud of our city and the work we do, and we know you will be too.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workforce. We believe that a diverse network of employees, which truly reflects the people it serves and represents, is best equipped to understand and meet the needs of our community. We welcome and encourage applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQ+ community, refugees and people with disability. We understand the skills and attributes veterans can bring to our Council.

LET’S START

- If this job sounds like you, we would love to hear from you! Get your application in by 11:59pm, Sunday 13 September 2026

- For enquiries related to the duties of the role, please contact Dave Crooks, Coordinator Natural Area Projects, on 04•• ••• 503 or via email [email protected]

- If you need assistance submitting your application click here or please contact Ashlea Norris, Talent Attraction Partner, on 02 •••• •759 or via email [email protected]

- Your experience throughout the application process matters to us. If you'd like feedback on your application or interview, don't hesitate to get in touch — we're here for you!

- To complete your online application, you will be asked to upload a copy of your resume and provide responses to questions which are based on the criteria listed in the Position Statement.

- Please note that as part of Lake Macquarie City Council’s recruitment process, prior to an offer of employment being made, recommended candidates may be subject to a medical assessment which may include alcohol and other drugs testing.

📌 Senior Inspecting Arborist (Newcastle)
🏢 Lake Macquarie City Council
📍 Newcastle