Arborist

Leeds City Council; Leeds; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

West Yorkshire Pension Fund

Flexible working

Training and development

Career progression

Staff benefits

Job summary

Leeds City Council is recruiting an Arborist within the Climate, Energy and Green Spaces service to maintain and enhance Leeds’ urban forest and green infrastructure. The role involves practical arboriculture, woodland management, and operating equipment across various city sites.

You will work as part of a skilled team, undertake safety-focused duties, and participate in a compulsory standby rota for severe weather incidents. A full driving licence is essential.

Qualifications

• A passion for trees, woodlands, forestry and practical management.
• Basic experience of arboricultural, horticultural or countryside management work.
• Ability to work safely and effectively as part of a team in a physically demanding outdoor environment.
• Commitment to high standards of health, safety and customer care.
• Good communication skills and ability to engage with colleagues, volunteers and the public.

Responsibilities

• Carry out practical arboriculture and forestry operations to industry standards.
• Operate and maintain equipment such as chainsaws, woodchippers and stump grinders.
• Undertake ground-based tree work and occasional aerial operations when qualified.
• Identify and report tree defects, pests, diseases and equipment faults.
• Help manage public safety around work sites and maintain health and safety standards.
• Support volunteers and community groups with woodland and tree management activities.
• Use mobile tech to record work and update records.
• Respond to emergency call-outs and severe weather incidents on standby.

Job description

Job title: Arborist
Salary: B3 £27,274 - £29,071
Hours: 37
Contract: Full Time
Location: The Arium, Thorner Lane, Whinmoor, Leeds

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our award-winning Parks, Open Spaces and Urban Forestry service as an Arborist, helping to maintain and enhance Leeds' urban forest and green infrastructure.

As an Arborist within our Climate, Energy and Green Spaces service, you will carry out a wide range of practical arboricultural, woodland management and forestry operations across the city. Working as part of a skilled and dedicated team, you will help deliver high-quality tree management services that contribute to making Leeds a greener, healthier and more sustainable city.

Leeds City Council is one of the region's largest employers, with over 14,000 employees. We are committed to attracting, developing and retaining talented people who share our council values and ambitions to make Leeds the best city in the UK.

About You

• A passion for trees, woodlands, forestry and practical management.
• Basic experience of arboricultural, horticultural or countryside management work.
• The ability to work safely and effectively as part of a team in a physically demanding outdoor environment.
• A commitment to maintaining high standards of health, safety and customer care.
• Good communication skills and the ability to engage positively with colleagues, volunteers and members of the public.
• Confidence in using or learning digital technology to record work activities and asset information.
• The ability to work across different locations throughout Leeds in all weather conditions including storms and high wind events.
• A flexible approach to working hours, including participation in a compulsory standby rota for severe weather incidents and emergency tree works.
• A willingness to develop skills and qualifications through training and professional development opportunities.

About The Role

As an Arborist, you will undertake a broad range of tree and woodland operations across Leeds, helping to ensure the city's trees are managed safely and sustainably.

Working under the direction of Forestry Management and Team Leaders, you will:

• Carry out practical arboricultural and forestry operations to industry best practice standards. Have a willingness to learn and undertake regular training and stay up to date with qualifications.
• Operate and maintain equipment including chainsaws, woodchippers, stump grinders and other specialist machinery.
• Undertake both ground-based tree work and occasional aerial operations where qualified.
• Identify and report tree defects, pests, diseases, incidents and equipment faults.
• Help manage public safety around work sites and maintain high standards of health and safety.
• Support volunteers and community groups undertaking practical woodland and tree management activities.
• Use mobile technology and digital systems to record work undertaken and update tree management records.
• Respond to emergency call-outs and severe weather incidents as part of a compulsory standby rota operating year-round.

The role requires working outdoors in all weather conditions across a variety of locations and terrains. Physical tasks include lifting, carrying, climbing, operating machinery and maintaining concentration during potentially complex and demanding operations.

A full, clean driving licence is essential to enable travel across sites and the operation of council vehicles. The post may be based at any location within the Leeds city boundary.

What We Offer You

• A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
• Flexible working arrangements subject to service requirements.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities, including support towards professional qualifications.
• A clear career pathway within Leeds City Council's Forestry and Arboriculture service.
• A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people. This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

Day to day operational tree works as directed by Forestry Management, undertaking practical, predominantly ground-based tree works, with occasional working from height, in support of the Urban Forestry (Arboriculture) section’s service delivery. The role requires working outdoors in all weather conditions across a variety of terrains moving across uneven ground surfaces both on and off the highway. The role involves bending, lifting, carrying, climbing (working at height), and concentrating for long periods alongside being on-call during weekends and evenings.

Responsibilities

• Under instruction from the team leader undertake all aspects of practical arboriculture, woodland management and forestry works to the highest standards and best practice, actively seeking help and advice when unsure.
• Work in a team environment, using chainsaws, hand tools, stump grinders, woodchippers and vegetation control measures which involve risk assessment and physical, practical work.
• Responsible for the security and safety of all vehicles, tools and equipment used by the post holder ensuring appropriate repair and maintenance is undertaken.
• Report all faults, breakdowns, incidents, accidents, near misses and structural and other tree defects along with pest & disease symptoms.
• Responsible for their own health and safety and ensure members of the public and site users are managed effectively when tree works are underway.
• Supervise volunteers, friends’ groups, and junior operational colleagues as required, undertaking ground-based tree and woodland works for example; coppice work, hedge laying, tree planting etc.
• Provide support during busy periods of inclement weather and assist with the use of modern technology to help improve service delivery.
• Communicate appropriately with a wide range of people through a variety of different methods
• Utilise modern e-technology in the updating of tree and job records, recording asset details as part of daily operations.
• Support officers managing the statutory consultation processes under the Environment Act 2021 on street tree removal.
• To provide help during severe weather (designated storm occurrences) and to react to emergency calls after hours for all tree emergencies, including; the removal of part or whole downed trees or tree limbs. This will be on a compulsory standby rota basis, which will be in place 7 days a week 365 days a year.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation days a year.

Qualifications

A Full clean driving licence to enable use of council vehicles and qualifications demonstrating numeracy & literacy skills (GCSE Grade C or above in English and Maths or equivalent are essential. Applicants must hold an appropriate professional qualification or be willing to work towards a Level 2/3 arboriculture qualification via apprenticeship route.

Essential requirements

Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Able to communicate appropriately with a wide range of people, through a variety of different methods
• A flexible approach to working hours with the ability to work out of normal working hours to respond to emergency situations
• Able to work effectively as part of a team and to demonstrate organisational and time management skills prioritising own and team’s work to meet conflicting deadlines
• Able to travel throughout Leeds City Council boundaries working outside in a range of weather conditions, moving location within the service working at different sites /areas depending on need,
• Able to accurately enter and retrieve data and information from digital and manual systems
• Able to use initiative to develop solutions to day-to-day issues and improve provision.
• Able to provide customer focussed services
• Able to abide by health and safety risk assessments, COSHH and PPE requirements.
• Able to assist in the production of site-specific risk assessments.
• Understand responsibilities in terms of Health, Safety, Wellbeing, security, confidentiality and data protection
• Understand relevant legislation, guidance, policies and interpret and apply them consistently.
• Experience of and able to use information technology e.g. word, spreadsheet, database, email etc.
• Experience of horticultural or arboriculture works.
• Experience of working in an urban countryside and greenspace environment.

Essential Behavioural And Other Characteristics

• Committed to implementation and maintenance of the United Kingdom Woodland Assurance Scheme (UKWAS)
• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Carry out duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
• Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements

It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

• City & Guilds/NPTC/LANTRA Level 2 Certificate of Competence in Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-Cutting and Felling and Processing Trees up to 380mm (formerly CS30/31).
• LANTRA Stump Grinder.
• City and Guilds/NPTC/LANTRA Certificate of Competence in Woodchippers.
• City and Guilds/NPTC/LANTRA Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Stump Grinders.
• NRSWA Unit 002 Signing and Coning.
• Level 1 Tree Inspection Course (LANTRA, City and Guilds or similar).
• Understanding and appreciation of biosecurity and its importance.
• City and Guilds/NPTC/LANTRA Level 2 Award in Safe Use Pesticides (formerly NPTC PA1/6).
• City and Guilds/NPTC/LANTRA Level 3 award in Aerial Tree Pruning and Aerial Rescue.
• City and Guilds/NPTC/LANTRA Level 3 award in Aerial Cutting of Trees with a Chainsaw Using Free-fall Techniques.
• City and Guilds/NPTC/LANTRA Level 3 award in Use of a Chainsaw from a Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP).
• Level 2 Emergency First Aid at Work +F.
• UKWAS familiarity.
• General good geographic knowledge of Leeds.
• Experience of dealing with distressed and angry customers in a constructive manner.
• Improving processes and efficient working practices.