Campus Arborist: Lead Tree Care & Training

Virginia Tech; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech seeks a Campus Arborist to lead tree-care operations on the Blacksburg campus, guiding staff and contracted crews with advanced guidance on IPM, pruning science, root-zone management and safety standards.

You will train urban-forestry interns, schedule and audit work orders, maintain the campus tree inventory, and assist with site assessments and program development while coordinating with academic departments. Emergency duties 24/7.

Qualifications

• Current ISA Certified Arborist credential.
• Registered Pesticide Technician; ability to obtain Commercial Pesticide License Category 3A within one year.
• Knowledge of ANSI A300 tree care standards and ANSI Z133 safety requirements.
• Knowledge of GIS and tree inventory software.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in tree care with pruning, removal, and plant health care.
• Able to cope with heights up to 50–70 feet above ground; perform heavy manual labor; wear PPE.

Responsibilities

• Lead staff arborists and contracted specialists; provide guidance on IPM, pruning, root-zone management, species selection, and safety.
• Develop and deliver training for tree crews, urban-forestry interns, and apprentices.
• Schedule, assign, supervise, and audit all tree-care work orders; manage routine maintenance, emergencies, and plant-health programs.
• Maintain the campus tree inventory and conduct asset analyses for strategic planning.
• Assist the Urban Forester with construction-site assessments, consultations, planting designs, and program development.
• Mentor student interns and coordinate with academic departments; be available 24/7 for emergencies.

Skills

ISA Certified Arborist

GIS

Tree inventory software

Tree care experience

Safety standards

Education

Bachelor's in Forestry/Urban Forestry/Natural Resource Management/Horticulture or related field

Tools

Stump grinders

Tree-injection systems

Air spades

Chippers

Bucket trucks

Dump trucks

Chainsaws

Hand/power tools

Job description

Virginia Tech seeks a Campus Arborist to lead tree-care operations on the Blacksburg campus, guiding staff and contracted crews with advanced guidance on IPM, pruning science, root-zone management and safety standards.

You will train urban-forestry interns, schedule and audit work orders, maintain the campus tree inventory, and assist with site assessments and program development while coordinating with academic departments. Emergency duties 24/7.