Utility Arborist Chargehand

Utility Arborist Chargehand

Base location:
Petersfield, Aldershot, Basingstoke, Portsmouth. This role is mobile and predominantly field based, and we require your base “home” location to be within 30 minutes of our depots listed above.

Salary: £34,749 - £40,939.

Benefits include 37‑hour working week, up to £4,442 for overtime payments and up to £3,820 for standby payments, providing a potential of £8,262 extra per year (subject to qualifications). Full PPE and tools required, access to a company vehicle.

Working pattern:
Permanent | Full Time.

We are looking for a Utility Arboriculture charge hand to join our busy team! In this role you will work as part of a cyclical tree cutting programme on more reactive, customer‑focused work. As a leader within the team, you will help us manage trees & vegetation around our distribution network. Safety is at the forefront of all activities at SSE, and you will work with your team to evaluate, prepare, and carry out tree cutting works on a variety of sites and voltages.

In addition to your daily role, during high winds and storms, trees can contact our equipment and cause power cuts, so we cut them down or trim them back to keep the lights on.

Travel is required. We can only accept applications from candidates that hold a current driving licence.

You have:

• Previous experience in forestry/arboriculture.
• Relevant NPTC certificate units for the use of chainsaws, and qualifications including NPTC UAs.
• Enthusiasm and drive with a flexible approach to work and an ability to adapt to changing business and project priorities.
• Previous climbing experience is essential, and experience working near power lines would be an advantage.
• A high regard for safety, embedding yourself in our safety culture and adhering to guidelines in everything you do is a key priority.

About SSE: SSE has a bold ambition – to be a leading energy company in a net‑zero world. We’re investing around £10 million a day in homegrown energy to help power a cleaner, more secure future. SSEN Distribution, part of the wider SSE group, powers 3.9 million UK homes and businesses.

Flexible benefits to fit your life include discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships, wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service, interest‑free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme. Generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.

Work with an equal‑opportunity employer. SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact  / to discuss how we can support you. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.

Ready to apply? Start your online application using the “Apply Now” box on this page. We only accept applications made online. We’ll be in touch after the closing date to let you know if we’ll be taking your application further. If you’re offered a role with SSE, you’ll need to complete a criminality check and a credit check before you start work.

To see a snapshot of what a day in the life of a Utility Arborist looks like, visit