Arboricultural officer

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

• forestry
• arboriculture
• countryside management
• forest management
• woodland ecology and conservation

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could take a course at an agricultural college to learn some of the skills and knowledge you need for this job.

Relevant courses include:

• arboriculture
• forestry and arboriculture
• T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for agricultural colleges|https://nlbc.uk/partners/members/
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You could apply for a place on an apprenticeship to get into this career. These include:

• Arborist Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Arboriculturist Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Professional Arboriculturist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

These apprenticeships take from 2 to 3 years to complete and are a mix of on-the-job training and some study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You could join an organisation, like a local authority or landscaping firm, as an assistant arboricultural officer. You'll need some qualifications or experience, for example as a tree surgeon or groundworker.

You may find it useful when looking for jobs to have some relevant practical experience. You can find volunteering opportunities with conservation bodies like:

• Trees for Cities
• The Tree Council
• the Woodland Trust

You could apply directly to become an arboricultural officer.

You'll usually need:

• experience of working in a related job, like an arboricultural assistant, tree surgeon, ecologist or landscape architect
• a nationally recognised arboricultural qualification like the Level 4 Certificate in Arboriculture

If you have a degree in a relevant subject, you can apply for a graduate training scheme place with Forestry England. Check with them for application dates.

Professional and Industry Bodies

You could join the Institute of Chartered Foresters for professional development.

Further Information

You can find out more about working in arboriculture from:

• The Arboricultural Association
• Royal Forestry Society
• Green Jobs for Nature

You could:

• advise on tree preservation orders in planning applications
• manage trees in parks, on housing estates and at the roadside
• assess tree damage after storms
• train new staff and volunteers
• give talks on arboriculture and woodlands to schools and other groups
• carry out tree surveys, monitor numbers and organise tree planting schemes

We've identified this as a green job

As an arboricultural officer, you can manage tree planting in cities. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, trap harmful pollutants and improve air quality. This can have a positive impact on the environment.

Find out more about green careers

You could work on the streets, in parks and gardens, in woodland or in an office.

Your working environment may be at height and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.