Arboricultural officer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly
• a graduate training scheme

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

• forestry
• arboriculture
• countryside management
• forest management
• woodland ecology and conservation

Entry requirements:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could take a course at an agricultural college to learn some of the skills and knowledge you need for this job.

Relevant courses include:

• arboriculture
• forestry and arboriculture
• T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply for a place on an apprenticeship to get into this career. These include:

• Arborist Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Arboriculturist Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Professional Arboriculturist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

These apprenticeships take from 2 to 3 years to complete and are a mix of on-the-job training and some study.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You could join an organisation, like a local authority or landscaping firm, as an assistant arboricultural officer. You'll need some qualifications or experience, for example as a tree surgeon or groundworker.

Volunteering

You may find it useful when looking for jobs to have some relevant practical experience. You can find volunteering opportunities with conservation bodies like:

• Trees for Cities
• The Tree Council
• the Woodland Trust

DirectApplication

You could apply directly to become an arboricultural officer.

You'll usually need:

• experience of working in a related job, like an arboricultural assistant, tree surgeon, ecologist or landscape architect
• a nationally recognised arboricultural qualification like the Level 4 Certificate in Arboriculture

OtherRoutes

If you have a degree in a relevant subject, you can apply for a graduate training scheme place with Forestry England. Check with them for application dates.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• the ability to use your initiative
• knowledge of geography
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• excellent verbal communication skills
• administration skills
• to be flexible and open to change
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• the ability to work well with your hands
• physical skills like strength, balance and coordination
• physical fitness and endurance
• leadership skills
• knowledge of maths
• persistence and determination
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• knowledge of English language
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• concentration skills

What you'll do:

Arboricultural officers manage and maintain trees for local councils and arboricultural contractors.

You could:

• advise on tree preservation orders in planning applications
• manage trees in parks, on housing estates and at the roadside
• assess tree damage after storms
• train new staff and volunteers
• give talks on arboriculture and woodlands to schools and other groups
• carry out tree surveys, monitor numbers and organise tree planting schemes

Green job

As an arboricultural officer, you can manage tree planting in cities. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, trap harmful pollutants and improve air quality. This can have a positive impact on the environment.

Find out more about green careers

Location : You could work on the streets, in parks and gardens, in woodland or in an office.
Environment : Your working environment may be at height and outdoors in all weathers.
Uniform : You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Salary:

Starter : £25,000
Experienced : £40,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

35 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is on call occasionally

Career Path:

With experience, you could:

• manage a team of arboricultural officers and co-ordinate work with outside contractors
• work as a consultant, advising organisations on tree management, conservation and safety
• find teaching opportunities with training providers who offer courses in arboriculture