Arborist Climber Trainee

Bartlett Tree Experts; Fredericksburg (VA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401k retirement plan

Paid time off & holidays

Uniforms, PPE, gear & equipment

Boot reimbursement

Employee referral bonus

Job summary

Bartlett Tree Experts in Fredericksburg, VA is seeking an Arborist Climber Trainee to join a professional tree care crew. You will gain practical field experience and participate in hands-on training across pruning, rigging, cabling, and removal of trees on commercial and residential properties.

We offer a safety-first culture with opportunities for advancement, paid time off, health insurance, a 401k, and ongoing training through Bartlett Research Laboratories.

Qualifications

• Entry-level training in arboriculture and safety
• A valid driver's license is required
• Willingness to work outdoors year-round in all weather
• Experience in tree care or horticulture preferred but not required

Responsibilities

• Learn on-the-job to safely perform all arboriculture tasks
• Climb trees and prune as part of a crew
• Perform rigging, cabling and bracing as needed
• Assist with removal of hazardous trees
• Identify trees and maintain equipment
• Operate hand tools, chainsaws, chippers, and aerial lifts
• Follow work zone safety procedures
• Assist with driving, backing, dumping and parking duties
• Adhere to all safety rules and Bartlett policies
• Demonstrate passion for nature and the outdoors
• Collaborate within a multi-disciplinary team

Skills

Outdoor work

Safety conscious

Team player

Willing to learn

Education

Degree in Arboriculture/Forestry

Tools

Chainsaws

Chippers

Aerial lifts

Job description

If you enjoy working outdoors in a professional and safe environment, consider a career with Bartlett Tree Experts! At Bartlett, we value a strong culture of excellence in safety, scientific research, lifelong learning, and career development.

As an Arborist Climber Trainee, you will be an integral member of a tree care crew working alongside Bartlett's dedicated team of arborists, gaining practical field experience in scientific tree and shrub care on commercial and residential properties. This is a unique entry‑level opportunity to develop your career in arboriculture through hands-on, on‑the‑job training.

We offer competitive compensation, as well as

• A safety-first culture and professional workplace
• Advancement opportunities - we promote from within
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401k retirement plan
• Paid time off and holidays
• Industry credential/license pay increases - we encourage and invest in your professional development
• Company provided uniforms, PPE, gear, and equipment
• Boot reimbursement up to $150
• Employee referral bonus program
• Access to training, continuing education programs, and a variety of resources provided by the Bartlett Tree Experts Research Laboratories in Charlotte, NC

To find out more about what life is like at Bartlett, check us out on Instagram @LifeatBartlett.

As an Arborist Climber Trainee, you will play an important role in

• Learning through on-the-job training to safely perform all aspects of arboriculture, including
• Tree climbing
• Pruning
• Rigging
• Cabling and bracing
• Removal of hazardous trees
• Tree identification
• Properly maintaining and operating equipment (hand tools, chainsaws, chippers, and aerial lifts)
• Implementing work zone safety procedures
• Assisting Arborist Climbers and Arborist Crew Leaders working on the ground and aloft
• Assisting with driving, backing, dumping, and parking duties
• Learning, understanding, and adhering to all safety rules and company safety policies
• A passion for nature, the environment, and the outdoors
• Interest in working outdoors year-round in all weather conditions
• Valid driver's license
• A positive attitude, willingness to learn, and ability to work on a multi-disciplinary team
• Prior tree care, landscaping, forestry, turf care, or horticulture experience is preferred but not required
• Degree in Arboriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Turfgrass, Environmental Science, Plant Science, Outdoor Recreation, Agriculture or a related field is preferred but not required

The F. A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.

Fredericksburg

VA

Production Arborist

10/30/2026

Regular Full-Time