Arborist Climber Trainee

Bartlett Tree Experts; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

401k retirement plan

Paid time off and holidays

Safety-first culture

Advancement opportunities

Uniforms, PPE, gear & equipment

Boot reimbursement

Job summary

Bartlett Tree Experts in Lexington, KY is seeking an Arborist Climber Trainee to join our tree care crew and gain practical field experience through hands-on training in arboriculture. This entry-level role emphasizes safety, professional development, and opportunities for advancement.

You’ll learn tree climbing, pruning, rigging, cabling, removal of hazards, and equipment operation while supporting crew leaders in a dynamic outdoor environment.

Qualifications

• Entry-level opportunity with hands-on training in arboriculture.
• Willingness to learn safety rules and company policies.
• Interest in outdoor work year-round and various weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Learn on-the-job to safely perform all aspects of arboriculture including tree climbing, pruning, rigging, cabling and bracing, and removal of hazardous trees.
• Operate and maintain equipment (hand tools, chainsaws, chippers, aerial lifts) and follow work zone safety procedures.
• Assist Arborist Climbers and Crew Leaders on the ground and aloft; support driving, backing, dumping and parking duties.

Skills

Tree climbing

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Positive attitude/learnability

Education

Degree in Arboriculture/Forestry/Horticulture/Plant Science or related

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.

Lexington

KY

Production Arborist

9/8/2026

Regular Full-Time