Shift Pattern: Monday to Friday
The Tree Surveyor is responsible for delivering professional arboricultural inspections, surveys, and risk assessments across the full Merlin Entertainments estate. Covering theme parks, resorts, zoos, and heritage environments, this role requires extensive site travel and regular nights away from home due to the geographical spread of attractions.
The role ensures all trees— including listed specimens and those protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)—are managed safely, compliantly, and in line with legislative and industry best practices. The postholder must be qualified to a minimum Level 6 in arboriculture and ideally experienced with OTISS or similar digital surveying software.
Key Responsibilities:
Arboricultural Surveys & Inspections
- Conduct detailed tree inspections, safety surveys, and condition assessments across all Merlin sites.
- Identify hazards, defects, structural issues, and disease pathways, producing clear and prioritised remedial recommendations.
- Ensure all data is captured accurately within OTISS or equivalent arboricultural software.
- Manage and update digital tree inventories, ensuring full visibility of tree stock and condition across the estate.
- Provide expert advice on tree management strategies, conservation, and long-term planning.
Legislative & Technical Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with UK legislation, British Standards (e.g., BS 5837 and BS 3998), and local authority requirements.
- Conduct specialised assessments for:
- Listed trees
- TPO-protected trees
- Trees within conservation areas
- Provide guidance on planning constraints, root protection, and environmental considerations.
- Support the business in responding to enforcement notices, planning conditions, and local authority consultations.
Risk Management
- Produce clear tree risk assessments, prioritising actions in line with site usage, guest exposure, and operational risk.
- Advise on emergency works following storm events, structural failures, or safety concerns.
- Work collaboratively with site teams to ensure actions are completed within required timescales.
Reporting & Documentation
- Produce professional written reports with photographic evidence, detailed findings, and actionable recommendations.
- Maintain accurate and organised survey records to support client audits and compliance reviews.
- Support the development of tree management plans across all Merlin attractions.
Site Liaison & Stakeholder Engagement
- Work closely with site teams, grounds personnel, H&S teams, and facility managers to coordinate surveys and remedial works.
- Provide technical guidance to non-specialists, supporting operational teams to understand tree risk and mitigation.
- Liaise professionally with contractors, local authorities, and heritage bodies where required.
Travel Requirements
- Conduct a high volume of site visits across the UK, often involving multi-day routes.
- Regular nights away from home are required due to national coverage.
- A company car is provided to support extensive travel demands.
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Minimum Level 6 Arboriculture qualification (e.g., Level 6 Diploma, Degree, or equivalent).
- Strong experience conducting professional tree surveys using recognised methodologies (e.g., VTA).
- Proven experience working with listed trees and trees subject to TPOs or conservation controls.
- Strong understanding of relevant standards including BS 3998, BS 5837, and industry best practice.
- Excellent reporting skills with the ability to produce clear, structured, and actionable assessments.
- Ability to work independently across multiple sites with strong time and route management skills.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable
- Experience using OTISS or similar digital tree survey systems.
- Experience working across large estates, leisure environments, or heritage sites.
- Knowledge of ecology, conservation, or environmental disciplines.
Personal Attributes
- Highly organised with a professional, proactive approach to risk management.
- Strong communication skills, able to engage effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Comfortable with extensive travel and working away from home.
- High attention to detail and strong commitment to safety and compliance.
- Confident decision-maker with the ability to interpret complex environmental and structural conditions.