Arboriculturist

We have an exciting job opportunity within the Countryside Team, for an Arboriculturist to deliver tree risk across our countryside portfolio. The post is based at Merrow Depot, Guildford, but travel for site visits, tree inspections, surveys and meetings around Surrey's beautiful countryside is a key part of the role.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service (prorated for part time staff)
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents.

About the Role

Working to the Land Services Manager, this is an estate-wide role managing tree risk across our Countryside estate at a reserve level. As part of a Countryside Group team, you will be working alongside the operational team for the Countryside Estate as well as arboriculturists responsible for delivering the Council's Tree Risk Management Policy on service-based sites and highways. Whilst accountable for tree risk on the Countryside Estate, cross-team working will be vital for updating policy, maintaining best practice with consistent and coordinated delivery and reporting across the teams.

You will lead our multi- year Ash Dieback programme and will be expected to manage procurement, working with contractors whilst balancing your business as usual with competing priorities. The ability to prioritise, co-ordinate work with other officers and provide accurate reports on tree risk will be key.

You will also have close links to the Woodland Management Team based at the Woodland Hub in Norbury Park to enable support for the Council's Land Management Policies. Whilst Tree Risk management will be your priority, you will have an opportunity to support a sustainable approach to tree and woodland management and support biodiversity on sensitive sites protected at an international level. Your work will support the delivery of woodland management plans and current and future grant funding opportunities at a landscape scale. Working to robust timescales, you will make clear decisions based on both policy and budget offering excellent value for money for Surrey.

With safety, public access and biodiversity at the forefront of your work, you will meet tight deadlines and offer training and mentoring to ranger teams for lower-level inspections.

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• That you are qualified to at least Level 4 Arboricultural qualification (or related field) and hold a valid and up to date LANTRA 3-Day Professional Tree Inspection Certificate
• Proven experience in managing commercial arboricultural or horticultural contractors and maintain accurate reporting on tree risk, prioritise recommended works and working across multi-disciplinary teams
• Demonstrable experience in managing tree risk at a reserve level where biodiversity is an important consideration, alongside a proven record in site investigations, tree inspection reports, works programming, auditing, reporting and communicating in a clear written and verbal style.
• Experience in managing and mentoring people, and working with, and alongside residents and key stakeholders

As part of the application process, you will be asked to upload your CV and answer our four application questions.

Answers to these questions will be scored and used for shortlisting purposes. Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description & Our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

Contact Details

Please contact us for any questions relating to role requirements, flexible working requests, transferable skills or barriers to employment. For an informal discussion please contact Debra Lee by e-mail at

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 22nd of March with interviews planned for 21st & 22nd of April 2026.

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) will be required for this role.

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and the successful applicant will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK and access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area.

Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.