Arborist

Kirklees Metropolitan Council; Harrogate; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension: Local government

Career development opportunities

Health & wellbeing benefits

Annual leave 28–34 days

Job summary

North Yorkshire Council is seeking an Arborist to join the Tree & Woodland Team in Harrogate. The role involves climbing, pruning, dismantling and operating arboricultural equipment safely, with a focus on high standards and safe working practices.

Entry level duties include routine maintenance, risk-assessed tasks, and reporting defects. The post offers progression through a career scheme and benefits such as a generous pension and development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Entry level grade requires the listed City & Guilds qualifications and driving licence.
• Top level grade requires Level 3 aerial rigging and MEWP chainsaw qualifications.
• Experience in arboricultural tasks and safe working procedures is essential.

Responsibilities

• Perform arboricultural tasks including tree climbing, pruning, dismantling and felling safely.
• Operate chainsaws and arboricultural equipment with due care and safety.
• Maintain and inspect Council-provided equipment per risk assessments.
• Record defects and use tree management software for documentation.
• Assist Lead Arborist with planning and on-site operations.

Skills

Tree climbing

Dismantling

Felling operations

Ground-based arboriculture

Chainsaw operation

Safety procedures

Driving licence B+E

Education

City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Safe Use of Wood-chipper

City & Guilds Level 2 Chainsaw Maintenance & Cross-cutting

Felling Small Trees up to 380mm

Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue

Chainsaw use from Rope & Harness

Driving Licence B+E

City & Guilds Level 3 Aerial Tree Rigging

City & Guilds NPTC Level 3 Award in Safe Use of Chainsaw from MEWP

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
• Use chainsaws, hand tools, stump grinders, woodchippers, and climbing equipment safely
• Perform routine maintenance on Council supplied arboricultural equipment and complete tasks according to risk assessments, following guidance from the Lead Arborist
• Report tree defects to the Lead Arborist and recording information in tree management software

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:

• 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
• Manage on-the-ground customer service to resolve complaints, disruptions, conflicts, breakdowns, and on-site problems

Working Hours

Summer schedule: Monday to Thursday 7.30am – 4.30pm, Friday 7.30am – 4.00pm

Winter schedule: Monday to Thursday 7:30am to 4:00pm, (Fridays 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
• salary sacrifice, employee cash back and discounts schemes
• Learning, development and career advancement opportunities
• Health Assured – confidential help and support for your wellbeing

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

We look forward to hearing from you.

Key Dates

Closing date: 15th October 2026

Interview date: 22nd October 2026

Venue for Interview: Harrogate Civic Centre

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

Company: North Yorkshire Council

Salary: £30,023 – £35,570 per annum

Location: Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Sector: Environment

Job Role: Specialist