Job title: Technical Data Officer (Ash Dieback Programme)
Salary: PO1 £38,220.00 - £40,777.00
Hours: 37
Contract: Temporary
Location: Farnley Hall and Hybrid Working
As the Technical Data Officer working on the Leeds Ash Dieback Programme you’ll play a leading role in supporting the Senior Project Officer in managing and developing our new, in-house Ash Dieback spatial management system.
Ash Dieback is a serious, airborne pathogenic fungal disease that is spreading rapidly throughout the UK and is genuine threat to our ash trees. Tree condition declines quickly and often results in death. Where such trees stand within falling distance of high use areas, such as highways, their weakened condition can lead to tree failure and so pose a risk to people or property. Leeds City Council has set up a dedicated Ash Dieback Programme team to lead on the identification of diseased ash trees and manage the mitigation of associated risks.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As the Technical Data Officer you will bring to the role:
- Excellent spatial data management skills.
- Drive, energy, resilience, and self-management skills as well as integrity, openness, and awareness of others in delivering non-complex projects.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and negotiate to form positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
- Degree or relevant demonstrable skills or experience.
About the role
Your role is integral to our small Ash Dieback Programme team. Based in the Climate Energy and Green Spaces service the team is centred around the existing Natural Habitats team, who have expertise in all aspects of forestry and tree care. The team manages a variety of contracts with external consultancies and specialist tree contractors and enjoys excellent professional relationships with a variety of internal and external partners. Many of these partners have been given access to specific areas of the ash dieback spatial data, such as appropriate dashboards that link directly to Field Maps.
You will play a major role in assisting in the continued development of the system, ensuring that all data is fit for purpose and supporting colleagues, contractors and approved external users in the use of all aspects of the system. This will require you to form and maintain good working relationships with LCC colleagues and contractors, plus a wide variety of stakeholders, including private landowners.
The role requires flexible working and suits a hybrid working pattern, e.g. working from a variety of Council office locations, working from home and working from site.
The Ash Dieback Spatial Data System is utilises ArcGIS packages (ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS On Line, ArcGIS Dashboards, ArcGIS Field Maps). It allows real time capture of spatial data in the field, plus live editing of existing data, to ensure that we have accurate and up to date information of all ash trees standing within falling distance of high usage areas (E.g. highways). Throughout 2025 it is being tested on a live contract and results are very encouraging. Even so, we are keen to improve and develop the system further2. You will be central to this.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
- a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Complete the online application form.
Read our guidancefor further advice on completing your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role contact Glenn Gorner (Project Manager – Ash Dieback Programme) Call 0113 3788156 or email glen.gorner@leeds.gov.uk
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you will usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
Job purpose
Under the direction of the Senior Project Officer, to support and manage data sets in relation to the Leeds Ash Dieback Programme, analyse data and produce reports as requested.
Provide technical support in location intelligence services, including GIS data management and governance. In doing so, to provide an effective, efficient and customer focused service to internal and external users and consumers of spatially-based data and intelligence, including Elected Members, partner organisations, statutory bodies and external contractors.
To support the management of spatial databases in relation to the Ash Dieback Programme service delivery and wider Climate, Energy & Green Spaces GIS activities.
To carry out duties using various computer applications, to assist in the development of the Programme’s GIS and location intelligence services as they relate to the monitoring of a wide range of spatial indicators.
Responsibilities
Principal Accountabilities:
- To manage data sets, utilising a range of GIS software, chiefly, ArcGIS Pro; ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Field Maps
- To assist in the development of and the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) within the Ash Dieback Programme, including development management.
- To assist in the development of the ash Dieback programme location-based intelligence resource and capabilities, and in the management of associated information.
- To promote the services of the programme and the team to both internal and external partners.
Specific Responsibilities:
- To support the Senior Project Officer in the management and development of a variety of spatial data holdings, critical to the service delivery of the programme, utilising a range of GIS software, chiefly, on ArcGIS Pro; ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Dashboards, ArcGIS Field Maps and ArcGIS Survey 123.
- Provide Arc GIS Field Maps and ArcGIS Dashboard support to colleagues, contractors and other registered stakeholders.
- Prepare, capture and maintain spatial data (including attribute data), providing on-going data input quality checks and database maintenance.
- To prepare and maintain consistent and high quality spatial metadata under the guidance of the Senior Project Officer.
- To analyse data and produce reports as requested for internal and external stakeholders, including Senior Managers, Elected Members, partner organisations and contractors.
- To support the Senior Project Officer in actively pursuing continuous improvement initiatives in the management of data, and the provision of location intelligence in a variety of forms.
- To develop and maintain good working relationships with internal and external partners and other stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes.
- To undertake an active role in on site monitoring of the development of Ash Dieback, capturing data in the field using a variety of field-based applications, namely ArcGIS Field Maps and ArcGIS Survey123
- To assist with Landowner engagement to facilitate risk mitigation of diseased ash trees in high usage areas on private land.
- To contribute to work undertaken by Communications colleagues in the design and preparation of publicity material and the marketing of this information using traditional and online approaches.
- To raise Purchase Orders as requested, Goods Receipt on completion of work/receipt of goods.
- To abide by the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in the duties of the post and as an employee of the Council.
Any other regular or ad hoc duties as may be required which are commensurate with the responsibilities and grade of the post, including on-site quality control inspections of contracted work.
Qualifications
There are no specific qualifications associated with this post. Qualifications in Geography, Geospatial Sciences or Forestry/Environmental Sciences are desirable.
Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.
Skills Required
- Ability to communicate clearly and succinctly in writing, verbally, and using digital visualisation techniques. (Application/Interview/Test)
- Ability to use mapping tools and applications available in both desktop and web-based GIS products to visualise and communicate the relationships embedded in spatial data. (Application/Interview/Test)
- Ability to use spatial analytical techniques to draw insight and intelligence from underlying datasets. (Application/Interview/Test)
- Ability to develop and contribute to productive working relationships with various stakeholders and contractors to achieve positive outcomes. (Application/Interview)
- Ability to manage competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of work and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities. (Application/Interview)
- Customer service skills through various forms of communication. (Application/Interview)
- Ability to access rough terrain in all weathers safely.
- Ability to manage your own projects within guidelines and meet deadlines. (Application/Interview)
Knowledge Required
- Knowledge of computerised Geographic Information Systems and their role in location-based intelligence services – with a particular focus on ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Field Maps and ArcGIS Survey 123 (Application/Interview)
- Knowledge of database structures and how computers handle data (Application/Interview)
Experience Required
- Experience of computerised Geographic Information Systems, in particular ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Dashboards, ArcGIS Field Maps and ArcGIS Survey 123. (Application/Interview)
- Experience of using and analysing quantitative and qualitative data. (Application/Interview)
- Experience of creating and managing high quality metadata. (Application/Interview)
- Experience of reconciling and updating database information. (Application/Interview)
Behavioural & other Characteristics required
- Able to work as part of a team. (Application/Interview)
- Ability to use your own initiative to solve day to day problems arising. (Application/Interview)
- Understanding of employees’ responsibility for health and safety. (Application/Interview)
- Ensuring equality of opportunities in both employment and service delivery. (Application/Interview)
- Conscientious and committed approach towards completing tasks accurately and to deadlines to achieve departmental objectives. (Application/Interview)
- Commitment to own personal development and learning. (Application/Interview)
Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
- Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
Skills Required
- Ability to write query routines e.g. Arcade, Python, SQL or MS Access (Application/Interview)
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills. (Application/Interview)
- Experience of tree/arboricultural operations at any level, practical or managerial (Application/Interview)
Knowledge Required
- Knowledge of web-based data services such as WMS/WFS/GeoJson (Application/Interview)
- Basic understanding of Ash Dieback and its progressive effect on ash trees (Application/Interview)
- Knowledge of arboricultural health and saftey guidance and best practice (Application/Interview)
Experience Required
- Experience of working within Local Government. (Application/Interview)
- Experience of Ordnance Survey data licensing / regulations. (Application/Interview)
- Experience in basic tree surveying (Application/Interview)
