Arborist

Professional Personnel Management Ltd; Coventry; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Airwaves is seeking an experienced lead arborist to head a small team on commercial sites across the UK. You will perform tree surgery, supervise 2-3 operatives, and drive safety, planning and efficient work execution from start to finish.

You will hold NPTC/LANTRA qualifications and driving licence, and manage risk assessments, RAMS, and site reports while maintaining high standards of quality and client satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a professional arborist/tree surgeon.
• Experience leading or supervising a small arboricultural team.
• NPTC or LANTRA qualifications including chainsaw maintenance, cross-cutting and felling.
• Qualifications for tree climbing, aerial rescue and aerial cutting operations.
• Experience with technical tree dismantling and working at height.
• Good understanding of arboricultural health and safety requirements.
• Knowledge of BS3998.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Ability to work independently and manage a team on-site.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a small arboriculture team, typically 2-3 operatives.
• Carry out and oversee tree surgery operations, including tree felling, dismantling, crown reductions, crown lifting, pruning and general tree maintenance.
• Undertake climbing operations and aerial tree works where required.
• Ensure all works are completed safely and in accordance with RAMS, industry standards and company procedures.
• Carry out site-specific risk assessments, toolbox talks and pre-start safety checks.
• Ensure machinery, chainsaws, climbing equipment and other tools are inspected, maintained and used correctly.
• Communicate effectively with management, clients and site representatives.
• Identify additional works or potential issues on site and report these back to management.
• Ensure all green waste is removed and sites are left clean, safe and tidy.
• Take responsibility for the quality of work and overall performance of the team.

Skills

Arborist

Team leadership

Health and safety

Risk assessments

Communication

On-site supervision

Driving licence

Education

NPTC / LANTRA qualifications

Chainsaw maintenance

Tree climbing qualifications

Aerial rescue qualifications

BS3998 knowledge

Job description

Salary - £30,000 - £45,000 - depending on experience

The successful candidate will be responsible for leading a small team of arborists and grounds operatives, carrying out a range of commercial arboriculturally works across our client sites.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and supervise a small arboriculture team, typically 2-3 operatives.
• Carry out and oversee tree surgery operations, including tree felling, dismantling, crown reductions, crown lifting, pruning and general tree maintenance.
• Undertake climbing operations and aerial tree works where required.
• Ensure all works are completed safely and in accordance with RAMS, industry standards and company procedures.
• Carry out site-specific risk assessments, toolbox talks and pre-start safety checks.
• Ensure machinery, chainsaws, climbing equipment and other tools are inspected, maintained and used correctly.
• Communicate effectively with management, clients and site representatives.
• Identify additional works or potential issues on site and report these back to management.
• Ensure all green waste is removed and sites are left clean, safe and tidy.
• Take responsibility for the quality of work and overall performance of the team.

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

• Proven experience working as a professional arborist/tree surgeon.
• Previous experience leading or supervising a small arboricultural team.
• Relevant NPTC or LANTRA qualifications, including chainsaw maintenance, cross-cutting and felling.
• Relevant qualifications for tree climbing, aerial rescue and aerial cutting operations.
• Experience carrying out technical tree dismantling and working safely at height.
• Good understanding of arboricultural health and safety requirements.
• Knowledge of relevant industry standards, including BS3998.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Ability to work independently, make decisions on site and manage a team without constant supervision.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience:

• Additional rigging and sectional dismantling qualifications.
• Woodchipper and stump grinder certification.
• Experience working on commercial contracts, highways, industrial estates and managed properties.
• Experience completing site paperwork, risk assessments and job reports.
• Trailer towing entitlement where required.

The Type of Person We're Looking For:

Ideally, we want someone who has already been working as a lead climber or team leader and is comfortable taking ownership of jobs from start to finish.

They need to be hands-on and willing to work alongside the team rather than purely supervise.

Good communication, reliability and a professional attitude are important, as they will often be representing Airwaves directly in front of our clients.

We need someone who can assess a job, plan the safest and most efficient way to complete it, manage the operatives around them and deliver the work to the required standard.