Arborist

About the job

Tree Surgeon Jobs in Scotland

An exciting opportunity to become part of The City of Edinburgh Council’s Forestry Service. 

Our internal forestry service is managed as part of our Parks & Greenspace Service and includes a full inspection programme for all trees maintained on the Councils Estate and all generated works are completed by our own internal arboricultural teams. 

A key member of a small specialist arborist team carrying out arboricultural and forestry operations, including working at height. Each team works under the direction of the Lead Arborist and consists of 3-4 staff carrying out the full range of arboricultural and forestry tasks using the typical full range of appropriate vehicles, machinery and equipment. 

The post holder will also be required on a regular basis may be required to make decisions about how works are implemented. The postholder is responsible for carrying out works in accordance with health and safety procedures in relation to themselves, other squad members and the general public while on site. 

Act up into the Lead Arborist role as required. 

There is also a requirement to participate in our on-call weather emergency standby.  This participation receives additional payment depending on frequency. 

We're committed to creating a workplace culture where all our people feel valued, included and able to be their best at work, and we recognise the benefits that a diverse workforce with different values, beliefs, experience, and backgrounds brings to us as an organisation. 

As part of our goal to improve our organisational culture and create a great place to work together for the people of Edinburgh, we want to make sure that we’re bringing the best people into our roles, not just in their skills and experience but also in their approach to work. 

To help achieve this, we’re changing the way we interview and assess candidates by moving from a competency-based interview approach to a behavioural and technical (skills for the job) based approach. This new way of interviewing will allow us to assess how you think and how you would bring Our Behaviours of Respect, Integrity and Flexibility into your ways of working. 

You can find out more on Our Behaviours web page Our Behaviours – The

City of Edinburgh Council 

Our salary range typically reflects the initial starting salary and annually increases until it reaches the top of the range. 

Follow us on X at @edincounciljobs 

Closing date: 1 December 2025.

Benefits Offered

The salary package is enhanced by a minimum of 27 days leave per year rising to a maximum of 35 days per year dependent on continuous service, plus 6 public holidays. In addition there is generous employer pension contributions and numerous employee benefits. 

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About the Company

The City of Edinburgh Council

The City of Edinburgh Council is the second-largest council in Scotland, responsible for a wide range of local services like schools, social work, housing, and infrastructure. Its "About Us" information highlights a commitment to making Edinburgh a fair, inclusive, and sustainable city, with key goals including ending child poverty and becoming a net-zero carbon city by 2030. The council is led by elected councillors who set policy, supported by a Chief Executive and council officers who manage the day-to-day operations.