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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Arborist Technician

💰 $ - $

LandscapingTree CareArboriculture

🎯 Role Definition

An Arborist Technician performs hands-on tree care and vegetation management work to maintain tree health, manage risk, and enhance landscapes. This role executes pruning, removals, aerial work, rigging, and stump grinding while following safety protocols, using power tools and aerial lifts, and communicating with supervisors and clients. Ideal candidates are competent climbers, familiar with chainsaw and rigging techniques, knowledgeable about basic tree biology and plant health, and committed to safe, high-quality workmanship.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Tree Climber Apprentice
  • Grounds or Landscape Technician
  • Utility Vegetation Worker

Advancement To:

  • Lead Arborist / Crew Leader
  • Plant Health Care Specialist / ISA Certified Arborist
  • Safety or Operations Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

  • Utility Vegetation Management Technician
  • Stump Grinder Operator
  • Grounds or Landscape Supervisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct safe and efficient tree pruning to ANSI A300 standards: assess pruning needs, select appropriate cuts, use climbing and aerial lift methods, and document work to promote structure, clearance, and tree health.
  • Perform complete or sectional tree removals in residential, commercial, and utility environments: evaluate tree condition, plan drop zones, rig large limbs, fell trees when appropriate, and execute removals with minimal impact to property.
  • Climb trees using rope-and-harness systems to access pruning and removal points; perform work at height while following fall protection and rope safety procedures.
  • Operate chainsaws, pole saws, chipper and stump grinder equipment safely and maintain them according to manufacturer and company maintenance schedules.
  • Set up and use rigging systems (blocks, slings, lowering devices) for controlled dismantling of large limbs and trunks; calculate loads and select appropriate hardware for safe lowering.
  • Load, cut, and process brush and logs: operate wood chippers, manage woodcutting patterns, and handle material removal or on-site chipping as directed.
  • Assess tree health and structural integrity: identify pests, diseases, decay, root issues, and structural defects; provide documented recommendations for treatment, pruning, cabling, or removal.
  • Apply plant health care treatments under supervision or with licensure: assist with fertilization, soil remediation, insect/disease control, and integrated pest management practices.
  • Perform stump grinding and site cleanup: grind stumps to specified depths, backfill holes, remove debris, and restore site to safety and aesthetic standards.
  • Operate aerial lifts and bucket trucks to perform elevated pruning and removals; conduct pre-shift inspections and follow manufacturer and OSHA safety procedures.
  • Respond to emergency storm and hazard calls: assess risks, perform emergency pruning or removals, and secure public safety hazards following company emergency response protocols.
  • Prepare and maintain accurate daily work records, jobsite reports, and time sheets; report any incidents, near misses, or equipment damage immediately.
  • Communicate effectively with crew members, supervisors, and clients regarding scope of work, site conditions, potential risks, and project timelines; obtain client approvals when required.
  • Assist in pre-job site assessments and job planning: identify site constraints (utility lines, structures), obtain permits if needed, and coordinate traffic or pedestrian control measures.
  • Follow and enforce all safety policies, including PPE usage, lockout/tagout for equipment, OSHA standards, and company-specific safety programs.
  • Perform tree planting and transplanting tasks: select appropriate planting sites, dig proper planting holes, install staking/ties, and provide initial care instructions.
  • Conduct cabling and bracing installations for structurally compromised trees: plan anchor points, install hardware to mitigate risk, and document installation details.
  • Train and mentor apprentice technicians in climbing techniques, chainsaw safety, rigging, and proper pruning practices to build crew competency.
  • Coordinate with municipal agencies, utility companies, and property owners to manage vegetation near power lines, sidewalks, and roadways; ensure compliance with local regulations and easements.
  • Use handheld devices and photo documentation to record before/after conditions, mark hazardous trees, and support billing and work order systems.
  • Follow environmental best practices: minimize soil compaction, protect root zones during work, and ensure proper disposal or recycling of green waste.
  • Conduct basic tree risk assessments and write clear recommendations and risk ratings to support client decisions and corporate risk management.
  • Participate in regular safety meetings, toolbox talks, and continuing education to stay current on arboriculture best practices and regulatory changes.

Secondary Functions

  • Support client education by providing written care plans, pruning schedules, and follow-up maintenance recommendations.
  • Assist the operations team with equipment inventory, maintenance logs, and scheduling preventive maintenance for fleet and tools.
  • Contribute to local business development efforts by demonstrating expertise on-site, offering professional advice, and representing the company at community events.
  • Help implement and refine company safety procedures by sharing field feedback on challenges, near-miss reports, and suggested controls.
  • Maintain a clean, organized work environment including tool storage, vehicle cleanliness, and secure storage of hazardous materials.
  • Participate in cross-functional tasks such as landscape renovations, erosion control projects, and mulch installations as workload requires.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Tree climbing and aerial rope techniques (rope-and-harness systems)
  • Chainsaw operation and advanced chainsaw safety (felling, bucking, limbing)
  • Rigging, lowering, and block-and-tackle systems for dismantling trees
  • Operation of chippers, stump grinders, and other tree care machinery
  • Aerial lift (bucket truck) operation and pre-use inspections
  • Knowledge of tree biology, plant health care, and pest/disease identification
  • Tree pruning to ANSI A300 standards and pruning/topping avoidance practices
  • Basic tree risk assessment and structural defect identification
  • Safe soil and root-zone work practices and tree planting/transplanting techniques
  • Use of GPS, mobile work-order systems, and digital photo documentation
  • Pesticide application and integrated pest management (when licensed)
  • Basic equipment maintenance and troubleshooting (saws, winches, hydraulic systems)
  • Load calculation and rigging hardware selection
  • Stump grinding operation, including grind depth and backfill procedures

Soft Skills

  • Strong commitment to safety culture and attention to detail
  • Clear verbal and written communication with clients, supervisors, and team members
  • Problem-solving under pressure—especially during emergency removals or storm response
  • Team leadership and mentoring ability for apprentices and junior crew members
  • Customer service orientation and professional demeanor on client properties
  • Time management and ability to prioritize tasks on multi-job days
  • Physical stamina, dexterity, and comfort working at heights and outdoors in variable weather
  • Adaptability to changing jobsite conditions and last-minute schedule changes
  • Reporting and documentation accuracy for billing and compliance
  • Continuous learning mindset—willingness to pursue certifications and training

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or certificate in Arboriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, or Landscape Management
  • Formal apprenticeship or vocational training in tree care

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Arboriculture
  • Forestry
  • Horticulture
  • Landscape Technology
  • Plant Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of hands-on tree care experience; entry-level apprentices with documented training accepted for junior roles.

Preferred:

  • 2–5 years as an arborist technician or tree climber with demonstrated proficiency in climbing, rigging, and chainsaw work.
  • Experience operating chippers, stump grinders, and aerial lifts.
  • Record of safe performance and familiarity with local plant species and pest pressures.

Certifications & Licenses (Preferred / Strongly Recommended)

  • ISA Certified Arborist or eligibility to pursue certification
  • Utility or line-clearance arborist certification for work near power lines (if applicable)
  • State pesticide applicator license (for plant health care roles)
  • Aerial lift/bucket truck operator certification
  • Chainsaw safety and rescue certification (e.g., tree-worker rescue)
  • CPR / First Aid certification
  • Valid driver's license with clean driving record

If you’d like, I can tailor this listing to a specific experience level (entry, mid, senior), region (to add local licensing and species), or company tone (customer-facing residential vs. utility vegetation management).

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