Job Purpose

The Area 10 Soft Estates Supervisor is responsible for the day-to-day supervision, coordination, and monitoring of arboricultural and soft estate activities across the Area 10 network. The role ensures that all works are delivered safely, efficiently and in accordance with contract requirements, relevant legislation, industry standards, and environmental obligations.

The postholder will oversee operational activities including tree and vegetation management, grass and verge cutting, hedge and shrub maintenance, invasive species control, ecological and environmental management, and general soft estate maintenance.

The role will work closely with operational teams, specialist contractors, client representatives, stakeholders, and other maintenance disciplines to ensure the soft estate is maintained to the required standards while supporting the safe operation and appearance of the network.

Key Responsibilities

Arboriculture

• Supervise and monitor arboricultural works across the Area 10 network.

• Coordinate tree inspections, surveys, maintenance, and remedial works.

• Oversee works including tree pruning, crown reduction, deadwood removal, tree felling and stump treatment/removal where required.

• Ensure arboricultural works are undertaken by appropriately qualified and competent personnel.

• Review and monitor arboricultural work programmes and ensure priorities are addressed appropriately.

• Identify tree-related hazards and escalate urgent safety issues.

• Ensure tree works take account of highway safety, visibility requirements, infrastructure, utilities, ecological constraints, and adjacent landowners.

• Monitor tree health and identify signs of disease, decay, pests, or structural defects.

• Liaise with arboricultural specialists and consultants where specialist advice is required.

• Maintain accurate records of inspections, works, and defects.

Soft Estates

• Supervise the delivery of routine soft estate maintenance across the area.

• Monitor grass, verge and vegetation cutting operations.

• Oversee hedge cutting, scrub clearance, shrub maintenance, and vegetation management.

• Coordinate weed control and invasive species management in accordance with approved methods and environmental requirements.

• Monitor areas of overgrown vegetation that may affect road user safety, visibility, drainage, signage, lighting, or other infrastructure.

• Ensure vegetation does not obstruct signs, sightlines, safety barriers, drainage systems, or other highway assets.

• Monitor establishment and maintenance of planted areas, wildflower areas, and ecological sites where applicable.

• Support environmental and biodiversity objectives within the soft estate.

• Identify defects and maintenance requirements and ensure appropriate remedial action is arranged.

Records, Reporting and Performance

• Maintain accurate records of inspections, defects, completed works and outstanding actions.

• Monitor contractor performance against agreed KPIs and service levels.

• Produce regular reports on work progress, resource requirements and performance.

• Assist with cost monitoring and validation of completed works.

• Check work completion records and supporting evidence.

• Maintain up-to-date asset and maintenance information.

• Identify recurring issues and recommend improvements to maintenance practices.

Key Competencies

• Leadership and team supervision

• Health and safety leadership

• Arboricultural awareness

• Vegetation and soft estate management

• Contractor management

• Quality assurance

• Environmental awareness

• Planning and organisation

• Problem solving

• Stakeholder management

• Communication

• Commercial awareness

• Risk management

Typical Duties and Activities

The Area 10 Soft Estates Supervisor may be required to oversee and coordinate:

• Tree inspections and tree maintenance

• Tree felling and pruning

• Emergency tree works

• Grass and verge cutting

• Hedge cutting

• Scrub clearance

• Vegetation clearance

• Weed control

• Invasive species management

• Shrub and planted-area maintenance

• Wildflower and biodiversity areas

• Vegetation affecting signs, visibility and highway assets

• Drainage and asset clearance associated with vegetation

• Environmental and ecological mitigation works

• Storm damage response

• Seasonal maintenance programmes

• Defect identification and rectification

• Contractor and subcontractor supervision

• Site audits and quality inspections

Working Relationships

The role will work closely with:

• Area 10 Operations Manager

• Soft Estates/Estates Manager

• Arboricultural specialists

• Highways maintenance teams

• Network inspectors

• Environmental and ecological specialists

• Traffic management teams

• Specialist subcontractors

• Client representatives

• Local authorities and other external stakeholders

Overall Accountability

The Area 10 Soft Estates Supervisor is accountable for ensuring that arboricultural and soft estate activities within their allocated area are planned, supervised, and delivered safely, efficiently, environmentally responsibly and to the required quality standards.

The role is expected to provide visible operational leadership, identify emerging risks and maintenance requirements, ensure appropriate action is taken, and contribute to the continuous improvement of soft estate management across Area 10.