Arborist

Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge, Northern (LA, KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement

Paid holidays

Tuition exemption

Training opportunities

Employee discounts

Job summary

Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge is seeking an Arborist to care for over 5,000 trees across about 470 acres. The role requires licensure or relevant coursework, knowledge of disease management, and safe operation of arborist equipment.

Responsibilities include directing crews for pruning, fertilization, and Live Oak protection, plus supervising equipment use and adherence to safety and regulations. Valid LA Arborist license or equivalent education is required.

Qualifications

• Possession of a current Louisiana Arborist license issued by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, or six semester hours in horticulture, forestry, turf management, landscape management, or tree surgery.

Responsibilities

• Directs, works with and assists an assigned crew in daily tree trimming, pruning, fertilization, aeration, mulching, removal, and replacement; including scheduling and coordination with landscape superintendents.
• Oversees Live Oak protection and preservation planning, material acquisition, and inter-departmental communication.
• Supervises use, maintenance, and training related to arborist equipment (boom truck, chipper, stump grinder, chainsaws, spray rig, etc.).
• Identifies diseases and pests and supervises herbicide/pesticide applications in compliance with laws.
• Oversees a tree stock nursery area for replacement and propagation.
• Other related duties as required.

Skills

Valid driver's license

Education

Louisiana Arborist license

Six semester hours in horticulture/forestry/landscape management/tree surgery

Job description

All Job Postings will close at 12:01a.m. CST (1:01a.m. EST) on the specified Closing Date (if designated). If you close the browser or exit your application prior to submitting, the application progress will be saved as a draft. You will be able to access and complete the application through “My Draft Applications” located on your Candidate Home page.

Job Posting Title: Arborist Position Type: Classified Department: LSUAM FA - FPO - FS - Land - UF - Arboriculture Crew (Blane Alfred Tullier (00001005)) Work Location: 0100 Landscape Services Building Pay Grade: Classified Technician and Skilled Trades

Job Description

This position has responsibility for the appearance and health of over 5,000 large trees on approximately 470 acres. This position requires a high level of knowledge, skill and experience in all areas of tree care and preservation including but not limited to identifying and directing treatment of diseased and declining major and ornamental trees. Must be knowledgeable in the operation and safety of all applicable arborist equipment and assure that the climbing activities of the crew and the operation of power equipment are performed in a safe and careful manner to guard against injury or loss of life.

Job Responsibilities

• 35% - Directs, works with and assists an assigned crew of tree specialists, arborists, and laborers in the daily activities of tree trimming and pruning, fertilization, aeration, mulching, removal, and replacement; including is scheduling of activities and interactions with area landscape superintendents.
• 30% - Directs, works with and assists an assigned crew in duties related to Live Oak protection and preservation; duties include planning, documentation, material acquisition, and inter-departmental communication related to Live Oak protection and preservation.
• 15% - Supervises use, preventative maintenance, and training related to all arborist equipment; included are a boom truck, chipper, chipper truck, stump grinder, chain saws, spray rig and other dedicated equipment.
• 10% - Identifies diseases and pests and supervises all aspects of herbicide and pesticide application in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• 5% - Oversees a tree stock nursery area for replacement and propagation.
• 5% - Other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a current Louisiana Arborist license issued by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry plus two years of experience in the upkeep of trees and shrubs; OR Six semester hours in horticulture, forestry, turf management, landscape management, or in tree surgery.

Special or Physical Qualifications (if applicable)

This position requires a valid driver's license, will require an MVR, and is subject to drug screens per PM-33/PS-67/FASOP HR-04. This position is classified as a safety and security-sensitive position. These positions are subject to drug screens per PS-67/FASOP HR-04. This position is considered emergency essential and may be required to report to campus in times of emergency and/or closure per PS-18.

Certifications/Licenses

Valid Louisiana Class D License LA Arborist License Louisiana State Civil Service

Additional Job Description

Competencies: None

Skills Needed

Preferred Skills: A permanent or probationary internal employee who is appointed to another position following certification from an open competitive eligible list is considered a new employee in the new position and shall serve a probationary period of six months.

Posting Date

Posting Date: August 24, 2026 Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified): September 7, 2026

Additional Position Information

Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits

• health, life, dental, and vision insurance
• flexible spending accounts
• retirement options
• various leave options
• paid holidays
• wellness benefits
• tuition exemption for qualified positions
• training and development opportunities
• employee discounts
• and more!

Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance.

Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

Essential Position (Y/N): Y

LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and maintain that valid work authorization throughout employment.

Changes in laws, regulations, or government policies may impact the university’s ability to employ individuals in certain positions.

Job Details: https://apps01.civilservice.louisiana.gov/onestopjobinfo/DisplayJobSpec.aspx?JobCode=155370

LSU includes institutions, facilities and programs in each of Louisiana’s 64 parishes, and its campuses stretch the length of the state from New Orleans to Shreveport. Each institution plays a vital role in preparing students to incorporate new knowledge and technologies into their daily lives. LSU researchers across Louisiana are working on developing a wide-range of innovations to improve quality of life by studying issues such as disease management, advance medical treatments, obesity, coastal protection, hurricane preparedness, energy, natural resource management and agriculture, among others. Louisiana’s Flagship University is a land-, sea- and space-grant institution with academic programs in all areas of science, engineering, humanities, arts and social sciences. The University comprises of nine institutions: Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College (“LSU”), the premier flagship university for the state, which include the Paul M. Hebert Law Center and the School of Veterinary Medicine Louisiana State University at Alexandria Louisiana State University at Eunice Louisiana State University at Shreveport LSU Health Sciences Center – New Orleans LSU Health Science Center – Shreveport The Health Care Services Division Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Pennington Biomedical Research Center Any other college, university, school, institution, or program now or hereafter under the supervision and management of the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College In implementing its mission, LSU is committed to: Offering a broad array of undergraduate degree programs and extensive graduate research opportunities designed to attract and educate highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students; Employing faculty who are excellent teacher-scholars, nationally competitive in research and creative activities, and who contribute to a world-class knowledge base that is transferable to educational, professional, cultural, and economic enterprises; and Using its extensive resources to solve economic, environmental, and social challenges.