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Arboricultural officer
Tree officer, forest officer
Arboricultural officers manage and maintain trees for local councils and arboricultural contractors.
Average salary (a year)
£25000.0
Starter
£40000.0
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
35.0 to 40.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
on call
occasionally
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
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
You'll usually need:
  • 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
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
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
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
search for agricultural colleges|https://nlbc.uk/partners/members/
search for courses|/find-a-course
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
You'll usually need:
  • 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
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
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
Direct Application
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
Other Routes
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.
More Information
Professional And Industry Bodies
You could join the Institute of Chartered Foresters for professional development.
Further Information
You can find out more about working in arboriculture from The Arboricultural Association and the Royal Forestry Society.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    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
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
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
We've identified this as a 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.
Working environment
You could work on the streets, in parks and gardens, in woodland or in an office.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Your working environment may be at height and outdoors in all weathers.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
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
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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