Arborist - Expression of Interest for all levels

WCL; Wellington; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Wellbeing support

Training & development

Career progression

Outdoor work spaces

Job summary

Wellington City Council is seeking Arborists of all levels to join our Parks Operations and Arboriculture Team. Earnest in maintaining Wellington's urban forest, you will work on tree maintenance, line clearance, complex removals and inspections in iconic spaces such as Karori Cemetery and Town Belt.

We welcome applicants from all levels, including apprentices, who are eager to start or grow a career in arboriculture. A strong safety focus and a willingness to mentor others are essential.

Qualifications

• Arboriculture qualifications or equivalent practical experience.
• Strong technical arboriculture skills and knowledge.
• Commitment to safe work practices and community teamwork.
• Excellent health, safety and wellbeing awareness.
• Clean Class 2 NZ Driver Licence preferred.
• Good physical fitness for outdoor work.

Responsibilities

• Carry out arboriculture duties across Wellington City.
• Engage in urban tree maintenance and vegetation management.
• Assist with complex removals and dismantles.
• Conduct tree inspections and risk assessments, update asset records.
• Contribute to data collection and tree inventory management.

Skills

Arboriculture qualifications

Technical arboriculture skills

Customer service

Education

Arboriculture qualifications

Job description

Arborist - Expression of Interest for all levels!

At Wellington City Council, we're passionate about creating a city where people, nature, and communities thrive. The Customer and Community Group helps make Pōneke a vibrant, connected and welcoming place by delivering services that support the social, cultural, recreational and environmental wellbeing of our city.

Our Parks Operations team is out there making a real difference every day, and the Arboriculture Team plays a big part in that. From caring for some of Wellington's most iconic trees to helping keep our green spaces safe and healthy, we work hard to make Wellington one of New Zealand's greenest and most liveable cities.

If you love working outdoors, take pride in your craft, and want to help shape Wellington's urban forest, we'd love to hear from you.

Āu ake mahi | What you'll do

We're seeking Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from qualified Arborists, including experienced and senior Arborists, who would like to join our enthusiastic and professional team.

We currently have a number of opportunities available and are open to people looking for either permanent or fixed-term roles.

New to arboriculture? We're keen to hear from you too. If you're interested in starting a career in trees, we can talk with you about our Apprentice Arborist opportunities.

As part of our team, you'll get involved in a wide variety of modern arboriculture work, including:

• Tree maintenance across Wellington City
• Utility vegetation management and line clearance work
• Complex tree removals and dismantles
• Tree work within unique environments such as Karori Cemetery and the Town Belt
• Tree inspections, risk assessments and asset management
• Geospatial data collection and tree inventory management

No two days are quite the same, and that's exactly how we like it!

What we're looking for

You’ll bring a strong commitment to safe work practices, great customer service, and the ability to work collaboratively with your team and the wider community.

Ideally you’ll have:

• Arboriculture qualifications and practical experience (or enthusiasm to begin an apprenticeship)
• Strong technical arboriculture skills
• A positive attitude and willingness to support and mentor others
• Excellent health, safety and wellbeing awareness
• A clean Class 2 NZ Driver Licence (preferred)
• Good physical fitness and enjoyment of outdoor work

If you’d like to chat about these opportunities before applying, feel free to contact Justin Garbutt, Arboriculture Manager, at [e-mail]

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you?

Working for Wellington City Council comes with a great range of benefits, including:

• 5 weeks annual leave
• Health, wellbeing and employee assistance support
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Career progression opportunities
• The chance to work in some of Wellington's most unique and beautiful outdoor spaces

Appointments will be made within the following salary ranges, depending on skills, qualifications and experience:

Apprentice Arborist: From $29.90 per hour

Arborist: $64,999 - $74,140 per annum

Senior Arborist: $74,141 - $89,786 per annum

Because this is a safety-sensitive role, successful applicants will be required to complete:

• Drug and alcohol testing
• Health and musculoskeletal assessments
• Ministry of Justice checks

If successful, these results will be held on your employee folder.

Please note that some prescription medications may be included within the AS/NZS drug testing standard.

Expressions of Interest close 8 November 2026.

Diversity

We want your application to reflect the real you.

Skills and experience are gained in many ways, not just through paid employment. Whether you've developed relevant skills through whānau life, community involvement, volunteering, study, or previous work, we'd love to hear about it.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and strive to build a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve.

Accessibility Support

We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible and inclusive. If there are any adjustments or support you need throughout the application process, please let us know and we'll work with you to make sure you can participate fully.

Come and help grow, protect and care for Wellington's trees while building a rewarding career outdoors.

Details

Reference number: 53221

Posted on: 14 Oct 2026

Closes on: 08 Nov 2026 23:55

Location(s): All of Wellington

Expertise: Parks, gardens and open spaces

Job level(s): Entry, Graduate, Experienced

Work type(s): Permanent full-time, Fixed term full-time