Arborist

Applefields School; Harrogate; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local government pension

Total Rewards Brochure

Holiday entitlement 28–34 days

Job summary

North Yorkshire Council's NYC Tree & Woodland Team is seeking an Arborist to join a small, professional crew. The role covers all aspects of tree work, from climbing and pruning to dismantling and felling, with emphasis on safety and risk assessments.

You will use chainsaws, hand tools, stump grinders, woodchippers, and climbing gear while maintaining equipment and recording data in tree management software.

Qualifications

• Entry level grade requires City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 in Safe Use of Manually Fed Wood-chipper and related certificates.
• Top level grade requires City & Guilds Level 3 in Aerial Tree Rigging and MEWP–Chainsaw safety.
• Full driving licence with B+E is required.

Responsibilities

• Perform tree climbing, pruning, dismantling and felling operations safely.
• Use chainsaws, hand tools, stump grinders, woodchippers and climbing equipment correctly.
• Complete routine maintenance on arboricultural equipment and record outcomes in tree management software.

Skills

Tree climbing

Aerial rescue

Chainsaw operation

Safe working practices

Education

City & Guilds Level 2 – Safe Use of Chainsaw/Chipper

City & Guilds Level 3 – Aerial Tree Rigging

Tools

Chainsaw maintenance and cross-cutting

Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) operation

Job description

Join Our Team as an Arborist: progress your tree climbing journey!

Are you passionate about trees and woodlands? Do you aspire to be part of a dynamic team committed to excellence in tree and woodland management?

North Yorkshire Council, the largest and newest local authority in England, is seeking dedicated and professional individuals to join our friendly Tree & Woodland Team. We are seeking an Arborist, to work within a small arboricultural team. The role involves executing all aspects of tree work according to best practices, with a strong focus on maintaining high standards and ensuring safe working procedures.

NYC Tree & Woodland Team are responsible for maintaining trees in parks, public open spaces, including those within Council-owned housing in North Yorkshire, Highways, Property and closed churchyards. Our duties also encompass managing all arboricultural services, which includes protected trees, tree asset management, tree operations, woodland creation, and urban tree planting.

The Role

This role offers progression through a career scheme, requiring specific knowledge, experience, training, and qualifications for advancement between grades.As an entry level grade, you will be responsible for a variety of arboricultural tasks including tree climbing and performing tree pruning, dismantling, and felling operations, including ground-based arboricultural duties, ensuring all work is carried out safely and efficiently.You will use chainsaws, hand tools, stump grinders, woodchippers, and climbing equipment safely. Additionally, you will perform routine maintenance on Council supplied arboricultural equipment and complete tasks according to risk assessments, following guidance from the Lead Arborist. Reporting tree defects to the Lead Arborist and recording information in tree management software will also be part of your responsibilities.

Working across several Council service areas, covering the Western area of North Yorkshire, you can expect a variety of work types and locations.

Top level grade’s additional accountabilities, include planning work with the Lead Arborist according to operational requirements, providing constructive feedback to tree assessors and the tree asset team leader, and assisting tree assessors with aerial tree assessments. You will also handle on-the-ground customer service to resolve complaints, disruptions, conflicts, breakdowns, and on-site problems.

Vacancy Hours: 37

Annualised hours: Summer hours Monday to Thursday 7.30am-4.30pm - Friday 7.30am-4.00pm /

Winter hours Tuesday to Friday 8am-4pm / Mondays off

Weekend Working: When required

What you will bring?

Entry level grade - You will hold the following qualifications:

• City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Manually Fed Wood-chipper
• City & Guilds Level 2 Certificates of Competence in Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-cutting
• Felling Small Trees up to 380mm
• Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue
• Using a Chainsaw from a Rope and Harness.
• Additionally, you must have a full driving licence with B+E.

Top level grade - You will also need

• City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate of Competence in Aerial Tree Rigging
• City & Guilds NPTC Level 3 Award in the Safe Use of a Chainsaw from a Mobile Elevated Work Platform.

Working for us

When you join us, you are entitled to our outstanding benefits and wellbeing plan as part of your position.

Our holiday entitlement starts at 28 days rising to 34 days (pro-rata) per year with continued service, plus public holidays.

Pension: save for your retirement with our generous local government pension scheme.

Fitness & Rewards: Fitness discounts with various Gyms across the county. Stay on top of your game and save £££.

Lifestyle Savings: explore a huge range of discounts to help you save money across hundreds of the UK’s favourite high-street and online retailers. Plus lots more.

Our full range of benefits can be found in the Total Rewards Brochure below.

Key Dates

Interview date: 22nd October 2026

Venue for Interview: Harrogate Civic Centre

The interview process will also include a practical tree climbing assessment.

An enhanced DBS is required for this role which we will provide.

It is a criminal offence for people who are barred from working in Regulated Activity (under the Safeguarding and Vulnerable Groups Act 2006) to apply for roles that require them to work unsupervised with adults at risk.

NYC are committed to directly recruiting staff and will not accept applications nor services from agency suppliers in respect of our vacancies.

We are committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community and aim to have a workforce reflecting this diversity. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.