Arborist job description.
An arborist cares for trees and woody plants, performing pruning, removal, planting, and health assessments to keep trees safe and thriving on residential, commercial, or municipal property. They climb or use bucket trucks to reach canopies, diagnose pest and disease issues, and operate chainsaws, chippers, and rigging equipment. The role demands physical fitness, strict safety discipline, and often ISA certification, working outdoors in varied weather and terrain.
The Arborist job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 9 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Arborist Reports to: Crew Leader or Operations Manager
An arborist cares for trees and woody plants, performing pruning, removal, planting, and health assessments to keep trees safe and thriving on residential, commercial, or municipal property. They climb or use bucket trucks to reach canopies, diagnose pest and disease issues, and operate chainsaws, chippers, and rigging equipment. The role demands physical fitness, strict safety discipline, and often ISA certification, working outdoors in varied weather and terrain.
- Inspect trees to diagnose disease, pest infestation, or structural risk
- Prune, trim, and shape trees to promote health and safety
- Remove hazardous, dead, or storm-damaged trees and limbs
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
9 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
5 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
6 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Crew Leader or Operations Manager
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Inspect trees to diagnose disease, pest infestation, or structural risk
- Prune, trim, and shape trees to promote health and safety
- Remove hazardous, dead, or storm-damaged trees and limbs
- Climb trees or operate bucket trucks and rigging equipment safely
- Operate chainsaws, chippers, stump grinders, and related power equipment
- Apply treatments for pest, disease, or soil health issues as needed
- Follow all safety protocols for climbing, rigging, and equipment use
- Provide written assessments or recommendations to clients or property managers
- Clean up and haul away debris after tree work
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- 2+ years of hands-on tree care or climbing experience
- ISA Certified Arborist credential or working toward certification
- Working knowledge of tree biology, pruning standards, and safety practices
- Physical fitness for climbing, lifting, and working at height
- Valid driver's license; CDL a plus for larger crews
- Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP) or equivalent safety training
- Crane or aerial-lift operation experience
- Pesticide/herbicide applicator license
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Arborist job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Arborist job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Crew Leader or Operations Manager) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- Does an arborist need to be certified?
- Certification isn't legally required everywhere, but most employers strongly prefer or require ISA Certified Arborist status, and some municipal or utility contracts mandate it.
- What's the difference between an arborist and a landscaper?
- An arborist specializes in tree health, safety, and structural care, while a landscaper handles broader grounds work like lawns, planting beds, and hardscaping.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Landscaper
A Landscaper installs and maintains outdoor spaces including lawns, gardens, and hardscaping for residential or commercial properties.
Groundskeeper
A Groundskeeper maintains the appearance and safety of outdoor property, including lawns, gardens, walkways, and grounds equipment.
Forester
A forester manages the health, growth, and sustainable use of forested land for timber production, conservation, recreation, or wildfire management.
This Arborist job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.