Arborist in Plymouth

Plymouth City Council is seeking to appoint three Arborists to join the arboriculture team in our forward-thinking Natural Environment Service. These roles are essential to the delivery of high-quality arboriculture services across the city, helping to protect, maintain and enhance Plymouth’s urban forest. Working as part of a skilled and dedicated team, you will carry out a wide range of arboriculture operations, ensuring the safe management of trees in public spaces while contributing to the city’s ambitions for nature recovery, climate resilience and community wellbeing.

At Grade E, you will undertake operational arboriculture tasks. At Grade F, you will take on additional responsibilities including work planning, on-site supervision, and supporting team leadership.

What You Will Do

• Deliver a programme of arboricultural work including tree felling, dismantling, pruning and maintenance in line with BS3998 standards.
• Undertake operations such as climbing, aerial rescue, canopy management and wind-blown tree clearance using specialist equipment.
• Ensure all works are carried out safely, complying with health and safety legislation, codes of practice and environmental standards.
• Maintain and inspect equipment, vehicles and machinery and ensure safe use at all times.
• Complete risk assessments and accurately record work using digital systems.
• Engage professionally with members of the public and respond to queries on-site.

Additional Responsibilities for Grade F

• Plan and coordinate arboriculture work programmes with Tree Officers and Principals.
• Supervise Arborists and apprentices on site and ensure work is completed to required standards.
• Support service delivery, including responding to operational issues and contributing to efficient team performance.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for motivated and safety-conscious individuals with a passion for trees and the natural environment.

Essential Qualifications & Knowledge

• Relevant NPTC arboriculture qualifications (Level 2 for Grade E / Level 3 for Grade F).
• Tree climbing and aerial rescue certification.
• Chainsaw certification (relevant units).
• Knowledge of arboricultural health & safety, legislation and best practice.
• Full driving licence.

Skills and Experience

• Experience working in an arboriculture or outdoor manual environment.
• Ability to work at height (up to 30 metres) using climbing equipment.
• Strong practical skills using chainsaws, chippers and associated machinery.
• Good communication skills and ability to engage with the public.
• Ability to assess risk and work safely in high-risk environments.

Additional Grade F Expectations

• Experience supervising teams or leading site-based work.
• Strong planning and organisational capability.

Why Plymouth?

This role will be based within Plymouth City Council’s new Natural Environment Service – consisting of several groundbreaking programmes and teams across the themes of Communities, Trees, Marine, Nature Recovery and Environmental Operations. The new service enhances Plymouth’s demonstrable leadership as a Nature City with a track record in innovation across Climate, Nature, People and Place programmes – working collaboratively across themes to achieve maximum impact for the city and the wider region. This is a hugely exciting time to join us in delivering our ambitions, most recently published in our Plan for Nature and People.

Additional Information

• These are frontline, mobile roles working across Plymouth.
• You will be required to work outdoors in all weather conditions and carry out physically demanding tasks.
• The roles are critical to ensuring public safety and maintaining our green infrastructure.

Plymouth City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, care experience, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation. As part of our commitment to promoting equality we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, care experienced or are an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.