Neighbourhood Operative Level 4 (Arbor)

Old Moat; Manchester; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 26 days' annual leave

Buy up to two extra weeks' leave

Volunteering leave

35-hour work week

Defined benefit pension

Parental and carers leave

Employee discounts

Job summary

Manchester City Council is seeking a Neighbourhood Operative Level 4 (Arborist) to carry out a wide range of tree maintenance across the city’s parks, highways and estates. You will prune, dismantle and fell trees, perform aerial operations and manage records within a safety-focused, team-driven environment.

You will hold a valid UK B+E licence and NPTC qualifications (CS30–CS41) with first aid training; driving and asset management are essential.

Qualifications

• Must hold a current UK driving licence (B+E minimum) and relevant arboricultural qualifications.
• Able to carry out arboricultural operations including climbing, pruning, dismantling and use of specialist equipment.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, customers and stakeholders, working as part of a team to deliver a high-quality service.
• Use digital systems to maintain accurate records and support service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Carry out tree pruning, dismantling, planting and felling in line with industry standards.
• Undertake aerial tree work, emergency response activities and operate arboricultural equipment (chainsaws, woodchippers, MEWPs).
• Complete risk assessments, maintain records and update asset management systems and tree inventory data.
• Work with colleagues and partner organisations to deliver high-quality neighbourhood services.
• Support planned maintenance programmes, statutory work and emergency arboricultural operations across the city.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Digital records

Education

UK driving licence B+E minimum

NPTC CS30 CS31 CS38 CS39 CS41

First aid at work Level 3

Tools

Chainsaw

Woodchippers

MEWPs

Aerial rescue

Aerial rigging

Job description

About The Role

Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week

Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Closing Date & Closing time: 11.59pm, 21 October 2026

Interview Method: Face to Face

Legal Right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action

This role is subject to -

References - where possible we require 3 years' history.

Driving Licence – The successful candidate must always hold a full valid driving licence as you will be required to drive a vehicle adhering to council regulations.

Medical Clearance - Pre-placement health assessment (PPHA)

Qualificaition:

• Must hold a current UK driving licence, B+E as a minimum
• NPTC Units: 201: Chainsaw maintenance and cross-cutting (CS30)
• NPTC Unit 202: Tree felling and processing (CS31 or current equivalent)
• NPTC Units: 203: Tree climbing and Aerial Rescue Operations (CS38)
• Using a Chainsaw from a Rope and Harness (CS39)
• aerial rigging (CS41 or current equivalent)
• Signing, lighting, and guarding (Chapter 8)
• Level 3 award for first aid at work
• Or current equivalents

As a Neighbourhood Operative Level 4 (Arborist), you'll undertake a wide range of arboricultural operations and tree maintenance activities across Manchester's parks, highways, housing estates, cemeteries and woodland areas.

You'll help the Grounds Maintenance and Neighbourhoods Service maintain a safe, healthy and sustainable tree stock across the city, ensuring residents, businesses and visitors benefit from clean, green and safe neighbourhoods. Your work will contribute to Manchester City Council's wider ambition of creating neighbourhoods where people choose to live, work and visit.

In this role you will:

• Carry out tree pruning, dismantling, planting and felling operations in line with industry standards and best practice.
• Undertake aerial tree work, emergency response activities and operate arboricultural equipment including chainsaws, woodchippers and MEWPs.
• Complete risk assessments, maintain work records and update digital asset management systems and tree inventory data.
• Work with colleagues, stakeholders and partner organisations to deliver high-quality neighbourhood services.
• Support planned maintenance programmes, statutory work and emergency arboricultural operations across the city.

For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring manager, John Larrigan, at [e-mail] to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role. This route is for enquiries only and should not be used to submit applications.

About the Candidate

We're looking for a skilled and motivated arborist who is committed to delivering high-quality services and takes pride in maintaining Manchester's trees and green spaces. You'll be safety-focused, customer-oriented and able to work effectively as part of a team while using your technical expertise to solve problems and deliver excellent outcomes for local communities.

We'll use the following essential criteria to decide which candidates to invite to assessment. Use your personal statement to provide evidence of how you meet each one, supported by relevant examples:

• You hold a current UK driving licence (B+E minimum) and relevant arboricultural qualifications, including chainsaw, climbing, aerial rescue and aerial rigging certifications (or current equivalents).
• You can safely carry out a range of arboricultural operations, including tree climbing, pruning, dismantling and the use of specialist equipment.
• You can communicate effectively with colleagues, customers and stakeholders, working collaboratively as part of a team to solve problems and deliver a high-quality service.
• You can use digital systems to maintain accurate records, manage information and support efficient service delivery.

If you're invited to assessment, we'll look at a wider range of the role requirements. For more detail, please see the role profile.

Use of AI

You may use AI to support your application, but all examples must be your own and based on real experience. Applications may be withdrawn if content is misleading or presents someone else's experience as your own. Internal candidates may also face disciplinary action.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

We guarantee progression to the assessment stage for applicants who meet the essential criteria used for shortlisting and are eligible under the scheme.

Support and Adjustments

If you're successful in securing a role, we'll make every effort to provide the support, equipment and reasonable adjustments you need to carry out your duties. Where needed, we'll consider adapting aspects of the role.

About Us

Working for Manchester City Council is a chance to make a real difference in a diverse city. You'll help improve lives and support our local communities. Working together, we can create better public services for everyone.

Benefits we offer

• Up to 26 days' annual leave, rising to 31 days after five years' service
• Buy up to two extra weeks' leave
• Up to 3 days' volunteering leave
• A 35-hour work week for full-time roles
• We review pay each year and recognise three trade unions
• A defined benefit pension scheme
• Enhanced parental and carers leave
• Employee discounts and perks

Our commitment to inclusion

At Manchester City Council, we're dedicated to creating a workplace that fully reflects the diversity of our local communities. We actively encourage applications from people of all ages and backgrounds and are particularly keen to hear from applicants from ethnic minority communities and disabled people, who remain underrepresented in parts of our workforce.

GM Elevate Programme

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the 'Personal Statement' section or 'Supporting Statement' section of your application.

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