Level 2 - Technical Occupation

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Agriculture, environmental and animal care

Arborist

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Pruning, felling and maintaining trees.

Summary

The occupation is found in arboricultural, utility, facilities management, woodland management and grounds maintenance organisations. These include local authorities, and commercial contracting businesses such as large ground-maintenance and arboricultural contractors. Self-employment is also a career option.

The broad purpose of the occupation is the care and maintenance of trees for their benefits and values in diverse urban and rural locations, from street trees, city parks and urban woodlands to country estates and private gardens. The industry manages trees adjacent to highways, railways, watercourses and power lines. The work of an Arborist involves diverse activities such as chainsaw work, aerial tree work, pruning, dismantling of trees, and using machinery such as brushwood chippers. 

Arborists play an important role in managing biodiversity by carrying out practical solutions in the management of trees, including at times those that are rare or in a heritage environment. The Arborist is not only tasked with the practical management of the ageing tree process, but the care of the next generation of trees, which will be vitally important for the future generations. This work includes the management of pests and disease, and formative pruning of young trees in order to form a good canopy structure for the longevity of trees. 

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with many different people during a typical working day, including managers, supervisors, contract managers to local tree officers and arboricultural consultants overseeing arboricultural works. Other interactions may involve stakeholders, clients, landowners, and organisations managing built infrastructure, for example utility companies, highways, street lighting, waterways, railways. The most important interactions will be with clients and members of the public and will involve using a range of communication methods and techniques from fielding complaints and concerns, to explaining why an arboricultural operation is to be carried out.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for applying best practice for the practical side of the arboriculture industry. This will include felling, climbing, pruning and dismantling of trees, and the use of machinery like woodchippers and stump grinders. Ground-based duties include preparing the work site, kit maintenance, formative pruning and hedge maintenance. An Arborist is also expected to maintain effective communication with internal and external stakeholders, work together and be a collaborative team member. They will need an awareness of other colleagues' roles. 

Typical job titles include

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)

• Knowledge
• Skills
• Behaviours