Arborist

Louisiana State University (LSU); United States; On-site; USD 27,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Tuition exemption

Retirement options

Paid holidays

Employee discounts

Wellness benefits

Job summary

Louisiana State University (LSU) seeks an Arborist to maintain the health and appearance of over 5,000 trees on approximately 470 acres. The role requires a high level of knowledge in tree care, safety, and equipment operation, and includes leading a crew in pruning, fertilization, aeration, mulching, removal, and replacement.

Responsibilities include Live Oak protection, equipment maintenance and training, disease/pest management, and nursery oversight.

Qualifications

• Possession of a current Louisiana Arborist license issued by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry plus two years of tree/shrub upkeep experience.
• Six semester hours in horticulture, forestry, turf management, landscape management, or in tree surgery.
• Valid driver’s license and subject to drug screens; safety-sensitive and emergency essential status.

Responsibilities

• Directs, works with and assists an assigned crew in daily activities of tree trimming/pruning, fertilization, aeration, mulching, removal, and replacement.
• Directs, works with and assists an assigned crew in Live Oak protection and preservation planning, documentation, material acquisition, and inter-department communication.
• Supervises use, maintenance, and training of arborist equipment (boom truck, chipper, stump grinder, chain saws, spray rig).
• Identifies diseases and pests and supervises all aspects of herbicide and pesticide application per laws/regulations.
• Oversees a tree stock nursery area for replacement and propagation.
• Other related duties as required.

Skills

Tree care

Crew supervision

Equipment safety

Pest & disease ID

Herbicide application

Education

Louisiana Arborist license

Horticulture/Forestry coursework

Tools

Boom truck operation

Chipper operation

Stump grinder

Spray rig operation

Job description

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 Job Details

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

Range

• Minimum/SER: $19.67/hr.
• 1st Quartile: $23.61/hr.
• Midpoint: $27.54/hr.
• 3rd Quartile: $31.47/hr.
• Maximum: $35.40/hr.

Additional Job Description

Competencies

None

Special Instructions

Please provide three professional references including name, title, phone number and e-mail address.

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

October 5, 2026

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified)

October 12, 2026

Additional Position Information

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

Benefits

Benefits - LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including 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!

• 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.