More About Technical Arborist Jobs
Finding the right firm as an experienced technical arborist can have some extra considerations, such as staff benefits, pay and requirements of the role.
Fortunately, with Arbjobs, you can find verified job offers with clearly defined requirements and benefits. Our websites allow you to apply for or get in touch with the employer directly, or sign up for job alerts to be notified when new opportunities arise. This makes finding a rewarding job in technical arb easier and clearer from the outset. For more resources, read our jobseeker’s page.
What is the Role of a Technical Arborist?
As you may already know, a technical arborist is relied upon by many different bodies and organisations to get knowledgeable opinions on trees and the land on which they grow.
Having an in-depth knowledge of arboriculture will help you reduce your time working manually, and allow you to provide detailed knowledge for:
- Homeowners
- Developers
- Landowners
You may also be consulted during:
- Tree Surveys for Planning
- Tree Health Surveys
- TPO (Tree Preservation Orders)
Technical Arb roles combine practical skills with detailed knowledge of trees. This allows them to garner higher pay and lucrative staff incentives from firms.
What Skills are Required in Technical Arboriculture Jobs?
A technical arborist would be required to lead a team with their technical and analytical knowledge of tree surgery as a whole. The following skills are required of a technical arborist:
- Technical knowledge: A thorough understanding of tree biology and anatomy is essential to being a successful technical arborist. This includes knowledge of tree pruning, tree removal, tree planting, tree health, and standard or advanced tree safety procedures.
- Analytical skills: Technical arborists must be able to analyse tree data, including tree growth rates, leaf health, and soil conditions, to identify potential problems or hazards.
- Attention to detail: A keen eye for detail is necessary to assess the health of trees, identify potential hazards, and determine the best approach to tree care.
- Communication skills: Be it with the client or with other members of the firm, technical arborists need to be able to communicate technical information to non-technical individuals. This includes preparing reports, giving presentations and providing expert advice on tree care.
- Knowledge of technology and software: Technical arborists may use specialised software, including geographic information systems (GIS), to analyse and manage tree data.
- Safety consciousness: Safety is paramount in tree surgery. Technical arborists must follow safety protocols to protect themselves, their colleagues, and the public.
When viewing technical arborist jobs, these are the main contributing elements that employers are looking for.
What are the Requirements for Technical Arboriculture Jobs?
There are many routes to becoming a technical arborist. Because you’re dealing with the most technical aspects of tree surgery, you’ll have to have many years of experience and training under your belt. Many firms will have a small number of technical tree surgeons within their roster and these team members will often be responsible for the crew to some extent.
To attain this higher status as a technical arborist, you should complete the relevant college courses to get some of the skills and knowledge you need as a tree surgeon.
Relevant subjects in the UK might include:
- Level 2 Certificate in Arboriculture
- Level 2 Work-based Trees and Timber
- Level 2 Felling and Processing Trees
- Level 3 Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture
- T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production
This is what we think would be the minimum requirements for a technical tree surgeon starting in the UK.
What is a Tree Officer?
A Tree Officer is a professional responsible for managing and protecting trees within a specific area. This can often include working for local councils, governments, or even environmental organisations.
A Tree Officer’s duties include assessing tree health, enforcing tree preservation orders, planning and advising on tree-related issues, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Tree Officers also often play a key role in urban forestry, tree or forest conservation, and sustainable tree management.
What is an Arboriculture Manager?
An Arboriculture Manager oversees tree care operations, often within a company or tree surgery firm, local authority, or consultancy firm.
An Arboricultural Manager manages teams of arborists, plans tree maintenance programs, ensures compliance with safety and environmental standards, and advises on tree-related projects.
Arboriculture Managers combine technical expertise in tree care with strong leadership and project management skills to deliver high-quality arboricultural services.
