Tree Surgeon

Overview

Organisation: Leicestershire County Council

Work Location: Mountsorrel, Hawcliffe Road, Mountsorrel, Leicestershire LE12 7AH

Worker Category: Field Based Worker

Salary: £32,070 – 34,359 per annum (pro-rata for part-time) plus Market Premia [10% of top of grade]

Working Hours: Full Time, 37 Hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: Sunday 22 February 2026

Interview Date(s): To be confirmed. Interviews will be in person.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Forestry Tree Surgeon to join the team that is an Arboricultural Association ARB Approved contractor, helping to deliver a best value, customer-focused service throughout Leicestershire and occasionally surrounding counties.

If successful, you will help provide a comprehensive and professional arboriculture service for all trees under the jurisdiction of Leicestershire County Council, and other clients in the private sector in the County of Leicestershire and surrounding counties.

Responsibilities include tree works such as Crown Lifting, Dead Wooding, Crown Reductions, Pollarding and Felling, plus occasional young tree and shrub maintenance; tree and shrub planting; and public rights of way maintenance.

You will be required to attend training courses, conferences, seminars or other meetings to undertake Continuous Professional Development relating to Arboriculture Association Standards.

The role may involve working outside of normal hours, including nights, weekends and public holidays, in all weather conditions to meet service needs.

Note: This role is a “safety critical post” and may be subject to random drug and alcohol testing in line with policies and procedures. A copy of the Substance Testing Policy, Procedure and Guidance is available upon request.

To apply, you must have:

• The following qualifications:
  National Highways Sector Scheme 12 / National recognised Certificate in Arboriculture / Horticulture; relevant NPTC units including Maintain & Operate Chainsaw, Tree Felling, Tree Climbing, Use of Chainsaw from rope & harness, and Conduct Aerial Rescue;
  Pesticides Application Certificate PA1 & PA6;
  Valid Driving Licence;
  Mobile Elevated Work Platform license.
• Or demonstrable evidence of the required skills and experience, with a commitment to attain essential qualifications.

• Extensive knowledge of forestry and arboriculture specifications, materials, and workmanship requirements; ability to identify tree species (including Visual Tree Assessment to assess general tree condition) and understand basic fungal brackets.
• Extensive knowledge of safe working practices when using plant and machinery, legislation including driver’s hours, PPE, manual handling and Aerial Rescue procedures.
• Knowledge of Chapter 8 Traffic Management Regulations, RIDDOR, Noise at Work Regulations and Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 including COSHH.
• Ability to follow Industry Code of Practice for Arboriculture related to Working at Height Operations, pruning, free-fall dismantling, rigging, crane, MEWP and ladders; able to carry out safe aerial rescue operations both drills and on live sites.
• Ability and willingness to work with the team, use initiative in planning and prioritising, and respond confidently to customers and colleagues with understanding and diplomacy while maintaining professionalism.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; well organized, able to prioritise own workload, and able to remain calm and positive in challenging circumstances; ability to constructively challenge poor performance or behaviour.

You must also have an understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion.

In addition, you are expected to share the commitment to our values and will be asked to evidence them as part of the selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability.

We are keen to support employees to balance their working life with other commitments. Wherever possible, we will consider flexible working options. If you would like to discuss what may be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below. This may include term-time…