Arborist III

University of Central Florida; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life

Paid time off

Educational assistance

Employee discounts

Job summary

University of Central Florida is seeking an experienced Arborist III to lead the Tree Care team within Facilities and Business Operations. You will supervise daily tree work, mentor crew members, and ensure safe, high-quality care of UCF’s campus canopy.

Responsibilities include installation, pruning, removals, root remediation, disease management, and coordinating safety training while delivering exceptional service to the UCF community. Strong communication and SOP adherence are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with 4+ years of arboriculture experience.
• Experience overseeing tree care projects in large-scale settings.
• Ability to lead and train a crew and ensure safety SOP compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise daily tree care operations.
• Perform tree installation, pruning, removals, root remediation, and disease management.
• Manage workflow, training, and employee development.
• Maintain equipment including chipper trucks, brush chippers, chainsaws, pole saws, and aerial platforms.
• Ensure tools and machinery are safe and properly maintained.
• Provide coaching on job assignments and customer service per SOPs.
• Conduct quality checks to meet UCF standards and process guidelines.
• Coordinate safety and tree care trainings for the team.
• Ensure safety standards and document accidents and unsafe conditions.
• Lead debris removal during natural disasters such as hurricanes.

Skills

Leadership

Tree care

Safety training

Communication

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Chipper trucks

Chainsaws

Aerial lifts

Root remediation tools

Job description

Facilities and Business Operations:

Facilities and Business Operations at UCF is committed to creating a supportive and welcoming environment for our faculty, staff, students, and the broader community. We take pride in delivering exceptional service, sharing our expertise, and upholding the highest standards to ensure a world-class campus experience.

Visit our website or follow us on Facebook and Instagram to learn more.

The Opportunity

The Landscape and Natural Resources Department at Facilities and Business Operations is seeking an experienced Arborist III to lead the Tree Care team. This is a hands‑on leadership opportunity ideal for an arborist who is passionate about tree care and wants to continue working in the field while taking on greater responsibility. The selected candidate will work alongside crew members, providing technical expertise and leading daily tree care operations that support the health, functionality, and aesthetics of UCF's tree canopy.

As the lead Arborist, you will coordinate and participate in a wide range of arboricultural activities, including tree installation, pruning, removals, root remediation, and disease management, while ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards. You will also serve as a secondary point of contact for customers, representing the department through effective communication, problem‑solving, and a commitment to exceptional service. Responsibilities may evolve based on organizational needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the daily operations of the tree crew, ensuring tasks are performed safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards.

• Tree installation, pruning, removals, stump grinding, root remediation, and disease management.

• Manage workflow, training, and employee development to maintain optimal performance.

• Maintain and oversee all tree care equipment, including chipper trucks, brush chippers, chainsaws, pole saws, aerial platforms, stump grinders, root pruners, air spades, and compressors.

• Ensure tools and machinery are safe, properly maintained, and functioning efficiently.

• Provide coaching and training on job assignments, standards, and customer service, demonstrating correct procedures and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Conduct quality checks to ensure services meet UCF standards and process guidelines.

• Coordinate and schedule safety and tree care‑related training for the team.

• Ensure compliance with safety standards, address medical needs in case of injury, and document all accidents, injuries, and unsafe conditions.

• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture within the unit.

• Review work orders and projects for accuracy, ensuring all timelines and details are met.

• Act as a resource for technical guidance and problem resolution.

• Serve as a team leader for vegetative debris removal during natural disasters, such as hurricanes and tropical storms, overseeing the safe and efficient removal of fallen trees, branches, and other vegetation.

Minimum Qualifications

High school Diploma or Equivalent and 4+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).

Preferred Qualifications

• 4+ years of arboricultural experience overseeing tree care projects including pruning, removals, and disease management in an institutional or large‑scale setting, such as a university, park system, or municipality.

• Previous leadership roles overseeing tree care teams or related operations.

• Experience with advanced tree care techniques, such as cabling, bracing, and lightning protection systems.

• Proficiency in operating and maintaining specialized tree care equipment, including aerial lifts and root remediation tools.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for customer interaction, report preparation, and team coordination.

• Experience implementing safety protocols and conducting safety training sessions.

• Prior experience coordinating tree care or debris removal efforts during or after natural disasters, including hurricanes or tropical storms.

Health Assessment Required

UCF policy requires completion and passing of a physical exam for this position.

Special Instructions to the Applicants

The anticipated salary range for this position is $23.33 to $31.21. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations.

The selected candidate will be required to obtain an ISA Certified Arborist credential within six months of hire. The cost of certification will be covered by the department.

Position requires a valid class E driver's license. The position may involve driving to various locations on and off campus to conduct University business.

May be required to participate in respiratory, medical examination and training in use of respirators.

All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H1B transfers or employment‑based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.

If you are selected as the final candidate for an employment opportunity, both your position and salary will be significantly based upon the information that you have provided in your application for employment. We urge you to please take the time to complete the application in its entirety.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next‑generation public research university and Forbes‑ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you'll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You'll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 12 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you'll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills, and you'll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks!UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program

• Paid time off, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays

• Retirement savings options

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions

• Education assistance

• And more...For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide.

Dive into our Total Rewards Calculator to discover the diverse selection available to you, giving you a glimpse into the benefits that together shape your comprehensive rewards package at UCF.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF's expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Department

Landscape & Natural Resources

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 6:00am - 2:30pm

Type of Appointment

Regular

Expected Salary

$23.33 to Negotiable

Job Posting End Date

08-26-2026-12-00-AM

Veteran's Preference:

Preference will be given to eligible veterans and their eligible spouses in accordance with Chapter 295 of the Florida Statutes. Applicants claiming preference are responsible for providing required documentation by the closing date of the position. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://hr.ucf.edu/files/VeteransPreference.pdf

The University of Central Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

UCF is proud to be a smoke‑free campus and an E-Verify employer.

For general application or posting questions, please email [e-mail].

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please email [e-mail].