Arborist

Blackburn with Darwen Council; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackburn with Darwen Council seeks an experienced Arborist to work across parks, cemeteries, highways and woodlands, delivering high standards of tree maintenance and safety across the borough.

You will perform pruning, crown management, felling, aerial work, and inspections, using chainsaws, MEWPs and other equipment. You’ll support trainees and ensure safe practices while meeting service standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in arboricultural operations and tree surgery.
• Ability to carry out aerial tree work safely.
• Familiarity with PUWER, LOLER, Working at Height regulations.

Responsibilities

• Carry out pruning, crown management, felling and dismantling.
• Conduct routine visual inspections and report defects.
• Operate specialist plant and machinery safely.
• Support emergency and reactive works and weather-related tasks.
• Provide guidance to trainees and less experienced colleagues.

Skills

Arboriculture

Risk assessment

Teamwork

Inspection

Safety awareness

Education

NC/Level 2/3 Arboriculture

FAW+F (First Aid at Work Forestry)

Tools

Chainsaw

Woodchipper

Stump grinder

MEWP

Tractor

Job description

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Shortlisting & Interviews: w/c 16th November 2026

Are you a qualified Arborist looking for an opportunity to work across parks, cemeteries, highways, woodlands and other public open spaces? Do you have the skills and experience to carry out a wide range of Arboricultural work safely and to a high standard? If so, we would love to hear from you.

Our friendly and dedicated Arboricultural team is looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Arborist to join our team.

Working alongside the arboricultural manager, team leader and wider team you will support the delivery of safe, high-quality tree management, inspection, maintenance and improvement works across the borough of Blackburn with Darwen.

You will undertake a full range of Arboricultural operations, including tree pruning, crown management, felling, sectional dismantling, dead-wooding and the removal of dangerous or storm-damaged trees. You will also undertake aerial tree work using rope and harness techniques and, where required, MEWPs and other specialist access equipment.

The role also includes carrying out routine visual tree inspections, identifying defects, hazards, pests, diseases and structural issues, and accurately recording and reporting your findings. You will support the Arboricultural Manager and Team Leader with more detailed inspections, surveys and data collection where required.

A key part of the role will be the safe operation of specialist plant and machinery. This will include chainsaws, woodchippers, stump grinders, tractors, MEWPS and associated attachments. You will undertake tractor-based operations such as towing plant, transporting materials and supporting tree works through the movement of timber, arisings and equipment.

You will also support emergency and reactive works, including responding to severe weather incidents and making safe dangerous trees. You will be expected to carry out daily checks, routine maintenance and defect reporting for vehicles, plant and Arboricultural equipment, ensuring everything remains safe and serviceable.

Working across public spaces, you will help to ensure work areas are safe, controlled, clean and accessible for colleagues, contractors and members of the public. You will be expected to represent the Council professionally, respond appropriately to enquiries and concerns, and work collaboratively with colleagues across the service.

The role will also involve supporting trainees, apprentices and less experienced colleagues, providing guidance and helping to maintain safe working practices and high standards of service delivery.

About you

You will have experience in Arboricultural operations, tree surgery or forestry, together with practical experience of aerial tree work and the safe use of Arboricultural machinery.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• Experience carrying out routine visual tree inspections and reporting findings.
• Experience using chainsaws, chippers, stump grinders and other Arboricultural machinery.
• Experience maintaining Arboricultural equipment and machinery.
• The ability to undertake physically demanding work, including climbing, lifting and manual handling.
• The ability to carry out risk assessments and identify hazards, defects and safety-critical issues.
• Good knowledge of modern Arboricultural practices, including pruning, felling, dismantling and crown management.
• Knowledge of relevant health and safety requirements, including PUWER, LOLER and Working at Height Regulations.
• Knowledge of BS3998: Recommendations for Tree Work.
• The ability to follow written and verbal instructions, method statements and safe systems of work.
• Good time management and the ability to meet work schedules while maintaining a high standard of productivity and quality.
• The ability to work independently with minimal supervision and effectively as part of a team.
• Good communication skills and the ability to deal politely and professionally with members of the public.
• A reliable, flexible and adaptable approach to your duties.

You will also be expected to support the Council's values of Trust, Respect, Ambition, Collaboration and Kindness, demonstrating a positive and professional approach in everything you do.

Qualifications

You will hold a recognised Arboricultural qualification, such as an NC or Level 2/3 Arboriculture, together with the relevant NPTC/LANTRA qualifications for chainsaw maintenance and cross-cutting, felling and processing small trees, tree climbing and aerial rescue, and aerial cutting with a chainsaw.

You will also hold First Aid at Work with Forestry Module (FAW+F) and a full, clean driving licence with trailer towing entitlement (B+E), or be willing to obtain the required entitlement.

Additional qualifications such as MEWP (IPAF), PA1/PA6 or further NPTC units would be desirable.

Working arrangements

The role is based on a 37-hour working week, initially between 07:30 and 16:00 Monday to Thursday and 07:30 to 12:30 on Friday, although working hours may vary depending on the requirements of the role and service.

There may also be a requirement to work outside normal hours, including evenings, weekends and emergency call-outs, with reasonable notice where required.

The listing may be closed before the closing date should sufficient applicants have been received.