Cassandra Sloss
Rockhampton,QLD
Summary
Self-motivated and passionate about horticulture and arboriculture, with a strong focus on enhancing urban landscapes sustainably. Dedicated to creating green spaces that benefit both the community and the environment, while balancing ecological needs with urban development through the implementation of best practices.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Coordinator Arboriculture and Streetscapes
Rockhampton Regional Council
2021.02 - Current
- Lead and manage a number of teams within the Section including parks, landscape amenity and arboriculture teams
- Build high performing teams that are results orientated and customer focused through direction and guidance
- Manage Rockhampton’s urban forest in line with industry best practice and develop and implement strategies and plans that increase the regions tree canopy coverage
- Provide custodianship of all trees within Rockhampton’s urban area
- Provide a high level of professional and technical advice across Councils delivery of arboriculture, parks, and amenity horticulture services
- Develop and implement policy and procedure relating to urban forest management
- Develop and implement operational plans and schedules for the areas of responsibility and regularly review operational efficiency
- Contribute to a customer service focused culture that is committed to Council’s values and strategic objectives
- Develop plans for maintenance and upgrades of the region’s landscapes and high amenity parks
- Carry out departmental projects as required
- Monitor and assist in preparation of operational and capital budgets
- Manage the Unit’s human and physical resources in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Technical Officer Arboriculture
Rockhampton Regional Council
2018.10 - 2021.02
- Provide technical arboricultural advice in written and verbal formats to internal and external stakeholders
- Monitor and review the standard and general condition of the regions urban forest
- Prepare condition reports and risk assessments
- Evaluate tree failures and public perceived concerns and provide technical advice on the integrity of the tree
- Tree identification, pest and disease diagnosis and site assessments
- Undertake complex tree inspections and provide arboriculture reports and estimates for works
- Investigate tree related incidents and provide condition assessments, condition ratings, history on prior works or incidents and implement immediate safety measures for identified hazards
- Assist with the planning, coordinating, monitoring and delivery of capital projects
- Assist with the planning of the regions urban forest and landscapes
- Assist with the preparation of budgets, quotations for works and monitoring operational and capital costs
- Contribute to the development, implementation and review of unit specific procedural manuals and ensure compliance.
Acting Horticultural Supervisor – Various Locations
Rockhampton Regional Council
2018.07 - Current
- Plan daily maintenance activities, act as the first point of contact and provided support where necessary to team members and external contractors
- Directly supervised and coordinated daily maintenance works and specialized maintenance for specific community events throughout the region
- Sourced quotes and engaged contractors for external works as per RRC procurement policy
- Adhered to and enforced, where necessary, RRC work procedures, practices and policies
- Organised machinery repairs and reports
- Ensured completion and processing of weekly timesheets, incident and hazard reporting and various staff related paperwork (Work Method Statements, Leave Forms, Training and Development, PPE and uniform etc.)
- Ensured all staff maintained safe work practices and used correct PPE.
Acting Street Tree Maintenance Supervisor
Rockhampton Regional Council
2015.03 - 2015.06
- Plan daily tree maintenance activities, act as the first point of contact and provided support where necessary to Street Tree Maintenance team members and external contractors
- Undertook complex tree inspections and provided written and/or verbal arboricultural reports and recommendations
- Adhered to RRC work procedures, practices, and policies
- Identified and implemented appropriate control measures regarding tree diseases and pests
- Ensured accurate recording of tree maintenance works in accordance with RRC policies and procedures
- Assessed and identified risks in Council owned trees resulting from Pathway requests in respect to pest and disease damage, planting, pruning and removal
- Used RRC computer system Pathways extensively to update progress of work orders, customer requests and complaints
- Sourced quotes and engaged contractors for external tree works as per the RRC procurement policy
- Regularly monitored Council trees regarding public safety, power line interference and traffic/pedestrian hazard, and programmed appropriate remedial work
- Coordinated with service providers to repair damage to public property where appropriate
- Responded to resident complaints and enquiries, and liaised with residents as required, regarding street tree pruning, tree removal and applicable matters
- Prepared reports regarding street tree removals due to failure, instability, unsuitability of species and/or infrastructure related problems.
Certificate III Gardener – Kershaw Botanic Gardens
Rockhampton Regional Council
2007.01 - 2018.10
- Maintenance of parks, gardens, and open spaces throughout Rockhampton
- Maintenance and basic servicing of all equipment and machinery
- Operate machinery such as excavator, HR truck, front deck and skid steer mowers, blower, hedger, weed-eater, chainsaw, pole saw, push mower and turf cutter
- Qualified and proficient at mixing and applying chemical such as herbicide, pesticide, and fungicide
- General maintenance of gardens such as weeding, amenity/directional pruning, mulching, mowing, and planting
- Garden design and implementation
- Experience and knowledge of turf maintenance (cutting, scarifying, aerating, and fertilising)
- Accurate knowledge of irrigation practises in relation to repairs and installation
- Diagnose pest and disease in plants and trees and implement appropriate control measures
- Experience with propagation and nursery practises.
Education
Diploma of Arboriculture - Arboriculture
Interlink Training Pty Ltd
Brisbane, QLD02.2023
Diploma of Horticulture - Horticulture
Horticultural Training Pty Ltd
Brisbane, QLD12.2017
Girls Grammar School, South Rockhampton, QLD 4701
Skills
- Extensive knowledge and a high level of expertise in arboriculture and horticulture.
- Ability to manage a large workforce within current industrial and human resources practices in order to achieve high quality results.
- High level proficiency in comprehensive report writing and demonstrated ability to produce logical, plain English, and professional written communication.
- Ability to effectively operate Council’s computer systems including the Ci Anywhere Suite (R1 and ECM), asset data systems, computerised maintenance management systems, Pathway, GIS and the MS Office Suite.
- Ability to identify, understand and manage risks so that work can be delivered safely and to required standard.
- Ability and knowledge to provide and apply technical arboriculture advice.
- Ability and knowledge to undertake complex tree inspections and provide written and/or verbal arboriculture reports and recommendations.
- Ability and experience in assisting with the planning, coordinating and delivery of capital works projects within the region.
- Extensive knowledge of endemic tree species and pest and disease problems specific to our region.
- Demonstrated knowledge of relevant legislation and related internal policies and procedures.
- Ability to prioritise and proficient at working to deadlines.
- Customer service focused with extensive knowledge of, and adherence to RRC Values.
- Effective communication skills (both oral and written).
- Works well in either an independent or a team environment.
- Adapts readily to a changing working environment.
- Accurate and precise.
Licences
- QLD HR
- Excavator Ticket
Personal Information
Date of Birth: 09/14/1988
References
Greg Abbotts, Livingstone Shire Council, 0429 441 840
Timeline
Coordinator Arboriculture and Streetscapes
Rockhampton Regional Council
2021.02 - Current
Technical Officer Arboriculture
Rockhampton Regional Council
2018.10 - 2021.02
Acting Horticultural Supervisor – Various Locations
Rockhampton Regional Council
2018.07 - Current
Acting Street Tree Maintenance Supervisor
Rockhampton Regional Council
2015.03 - 2015.06
Certificate III Gardener – Kershaw Botanic Gardens
Rockhampton Regional Council
2007.01 - 2018.10
Diploma of Arboriculture - Arboriculture
Interlink Training Pty Ltd
Diploma of Horticulture - Horticulture
Horticultural Training Pty Ltd
Girls Grammar School, South Rockhampton, QLD 4701
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