Arborist

Location: Drogheda - Field-Based / Regional Travel Required
Salary: Competitive
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, with occasional weekend and bank holiday work as required

Put your climbing skills to work. Deliver safe, quality arboriculture. Make a lasting impact.

You're an experienced Arborist or Climber who takes pride in your craft, enjoys working outdoors and understands the importance of doing every job safely and professionally. You're confident carrying out aerial tree work, complex rigging and removals, and you know how to work effectively as part of a team in a demanding environment.

We're looking for an Arborist to join Ground Control, carrying out a range of arboricultural operations across our contracts. You'll play an important role in maintaining trees and green spaces, using your technical skills to deliver high-quality work while protecting people, property and the environment.

This is a hands-on role where no two days are necessarily the same. From climbing and pruning to complex rigging, tree removals and emergency works, you'll work alongside a skilled team, with safety, quality and efficiency at the heart of everything you do.

Why this role?

Put your arboriculture expertise to use

You'll carry out a varied range of tree work, including climbing, pruning, felling and complex rigging operations. Your practical knowledge and technical ability will help ensure every job is completed safely, efficiently and to a high standard.

Work with safety at the forefront

You'll operate in an environment where safe working practices are essential. From completing risk assessments to using equipment and PPE correctly, you'll help maintain a safe working environment for yourself, your colleagues and the public.

Be part of a supportive team

You'll work alongside fellow Arborists, Climbers and Ground Staff, supporting each other to deliver successful outcomes. Clear communication, teamwork and a shared commitment to quality will be key to your day-to-day work.

Take pride in the quality of your work

From routine pruning and crown reductions to more complex tree removals, you'll be trusted to apply your skills and judgement to deliver professional results that meet the required standards.

Develop your skills and experience

You'll have the opportunity to apply your existing qualifications, build on your practical experience and continue developing your knowledge across different aspects of arboriculture as part of an established environmental services business.

What you'll do:

You'll work as part of an arboricultural team to deliver safe, efficient and high-quality tree care and vegetation management operations.

• Carry out climbing and aerial tree work, including pruning, crown lifting, crown reduction, thinning and tree removal.

• Undertake complex rigging and dismantling operations, using appropriate techniques to control the safe removal and lowering of branches and sections of trees.

• Perform tree felling operations, including small, medium and large trees, cross-cutting, stacking and assisted felling where required.

• Operate chainsaws safely and competently, including ground-based and aerial operations in line with your qualifications and authorisations.

• Carry out tree inspections, identifying signs of disease, pests, structural defects and other potential hazards, reporting findings where necessary.

• Support tree health and maintenance, undertaking appropriate treatments or remedial work where required and within your competence.

• Assess site risks and hazards, taking appropriate steps to protect colleagues, members of the public, property and the surrounding environment.

• Undertake arboricultural groundwork, including operating woodchippers, stump grinders, powered pole pruners and other relevant equipment where trained and authorised.

• Support emergency tree work, responding to situations involving damaged, windblown or hazardous trees where required.

• Maintain tools, machinery and equipment, ensuring everything is safe, serviceable and properly stored, and reporting defects promptly.

• Use PPE correctly and follow risk assessments, method statements and all relevant health and safety procedures.

• Interpret work instructions, maps and site information to ensure tasks are completed in line with specifications and contract requirements.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues and supervisors, communicating clearly to ensure efficient coordination and safe delivery of work.

• Maintain clean, organised and professional work sites, ensuring vehicles and equipment are kept presentable and work areas are left in an appropriate condition.

• Follow Ground Control's policies and industry standards, including the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and relevant arboricultural guidance.

What we're looking for:

• Relevant arboricultural qualifications, including NPTC CS30/S30 (chainsaw maintenance and cross-cutting), CS31 (small tree felling), CS36 (medium tree felling), CS38 (tree climbing and aerial rescue) and CS39 (using a chainsaw from a rope and harness), or their recognised equivalents.

• Practical experience in climbing, aerial tree work and rigging, with the ability to carry out pruning and dismantling operations safely.

• Experience with tree felling and removal, including cross-cutting, handling windblown trees and working with interwoven stems where appropriate.

• Knowledge of arboricultural groundwork, including woodchipper operation and the safe handling of tools and machinery.

• A strong understanding of health and safety, including risk assessments, PPE requirements and safe working procedures.

• The physical fitness and stamina needed to undertake demanding outdoor work in a variety of weather and site conditions.

• Good communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues, supervisors and customers.

• A reliable and responsible approach, with the ability to follow instructions, take ownership of your work and maintain professional standards.

• A proactive attitude towards problem-solving, with the confidence to identify potential issues and raise concerns promptly.

• A genuine passion for arboriculture, with a commitment to maintaining trees and green spaces to a high standard.

Desirable:

• Three to five years' experience in arboriculture, including climbing and aerial tree work.

• A full, clean UK driving licence, with trailer entitlement (B+E) beneficial.

• First aid awareness or a relevant first aid qualification.

• GCSEs or equivalent in Maths and English.

• Experience operating stump grinders, MEWPs and powered pole pruners, with relevant qualifications where required.

• Experience undertaking emergency tree work, including dealing with windblown or damaged trees.

• An understanding of working around electricity and associated safety precautions, with relevant training and authorisation where required.

• A flexible approach to working hours, including occasional weekends and bank holidays.

Why Ground Control?

At Ground Control, we're proud of the work we do. Our teams improve environments, maintain landscapes and contribute to a more sustainable future through the delivery of essential environmental and arboricultural services.

As an Arborist / Climber, you'll play an important role in caring for trees and managing vegetation across our contracts. Your practical expertise will help us deliver high-quality work while maintaining the safety of our colleagues, customers and the communities in which we operate.

You'll join a business that values teamwork, accountability and professional standards. We want our people to take pride in their work, support one another and continually develop their skills.

We're an Investors in People Gold Standard company and are committed to helping our colleagues reach their full potential. Whether you're bringing established climbing experience or looking to build on your existing arboricultural qualifications, you'll be part of a team that recognises the importance of skilled, safety-conscious people.

If you're passionate about arboriculture and want to put your skills to work as part of a supportive team, we'd love to hear from you.

Benefits:

Competitive salary – We offer a salary that reflects your skills, experience and contribution to the business.

Life insurance and pension support – Helping you plan for the future with confidence.

Grow your career – Access training, development, coaching and mentoring opportunities to strengthen your skills and support your career progression.

More flexibility with your time – Our Holiday Buy Scheme allows you to purchase additional annual leave when you need it.

Support for your wellbeing – Access a Private GP service, Bupa employee support, annual flu vaccinations and the Calm wellbeing app.

Make a difference beyond work – Enjoy two personal-choice volunteering days each year and match-funded fundraising opportunities.

Support sustainable initiatives – We invest 5% of our profits into our Evergreen Fund and are committed to planting one million trees, transitioning to an electric fleet and achieving carbon neutrality.

Travel and lifestyle benefits – Access Cycle to Work schemes and travel loan support.

Recognition for great work – Our recognition programmes celebrate colleagues who make a meaningful impact.

Equal Opportunities Statement

At Ground Control, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We believe that diversity drives innovation and success, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality, or ethnic origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic as defined in the Equality Act 2010.

We actively support and promote an inclusive culture, ensuring fair and equitable treatment throughout the recruitment process and across all stages of employment, including training, development, promotion, pay, and termination. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants and employees, and to creating a working environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying, or victimisation.

We expect all colleagues to uphold our values of dignity, respect, and inclusion. We take a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discriminatory behaviour and are committed to continuous improvement through training, inclusive policies, and accountability at all levels. #Util