Tree Operative

Job Introduction

Are you passionate about nature and love working outdoors? Do you have a knack for climbing trees and using specialist equipment? If so, we have the perfect job for you!

We’re looking for a Tree Operative to join our dynamic team. As our Tree Operative, you'll be responsible for maintaining and caring for trees across our communities. From felling and pruning to planting and lifting, you'll be doing it all!

What will you be getting up to?

Well, you’ll be climbing trees and structures using specialist equipment, working safely at heights, and adhering to regulatory safe working practices.

You'll handle and maintain various tools and machinery such as chainsaws, wood chippers, stump grinders, and climbing equipment. Ensuring all equipment complies with industry standards and LOLER regulations is crucial. You'll also be responsible for loading and unloading works vehicles safely and driving specialist vehicles as needed.

Safety is a top priority, so you'll conduct risk assessments and operate machinery safely to protect yourself, colleagues, customers, and the public. You'll engage positively with customers, resolving or reporting repairs while on-site, and work collaboratively with colleagues and managers to deliver services effectively.

Additionally, you'll participate in Yorkshire Housing’s emergency out-of-hours service, attending community-based emergency situations, including storm-damaged trees. Your role will involve substantial physical effort, working in all weather conditions, and maintaining a proactive approach to reporting and communicating tree defects.

What we're looking for:

• Certifications and qualifications: Holder of CS30/31, CS38/CS39, CS40/41 or equivalent, and powered pole pruner certification. These qualifications ensure you have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform tree maintenance tasks safely and effectively.
• Experience with equipment: Confident in using manually fed woodchippers and experienced with trailer and plant towing. This experience is crucial for handling the various tools and machinery required for the job.
• Health and Safety knowledge: Thorough understanding of all related health and safety regulations and best practices, including the safe use of machinery and PPE. Ability to conduct risk assessments and ensure all work is carried out safely.
• Driving licence: Valid full UK driving licence and ability to drive specialist vehicles as required.
• Communication and interpersonal skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage positively with customers, manage expectations, and adapt to changing situations in the field. Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and managers.
• Independence and teamwork: Ability to take ownership of work, work independently, and collaborate as part of a team. Proactive in reporting and communicating tree defects.
• Adaptability: Physically fit and adaptable to substantial physical effort, including lifting, crouching, and stretching, and working in all weather conditions.
• Emergency response: Willingness to actively participate in Yorkshire Housing’s emergency out-of-hours service, attending community-based emergency situations, including storm-damaged trees.
• Continuous professional development: Eagerness to undertake training and continuous professional development as required.

Bonus points for:

• A recognised apprenticeship in horticulture, landscape maintenance, or community-based services.
• Experience in hard landscaping and working knowledge of ecological and environmental legislation (e.g., bats, birds) and legal designations (TPO/CON/SSSI).
• PA1/PA6 license and experience driving vehicles up to 7.5 tons.

Check out the Role Profile for tons more info!

What’s in it for you… 

This a full-time permanent role with a salary of £30,468 per annum, for a 37 hour week plus 26 days annual leave (rising annually to 31 days) plus Bank Holidays.  

We offer a reward package to suit everyone. At YH, you can claim back for prescriptions, eye tests and more with our cash plan, make the most of a variety of retail discounts and take advantage of our pension scheme where we’ll match your contributions up to 9%, just to name a few. 

Our people’s health and wellbeing are one of our top priorities, and you can make the most of our readily available wellbeing support package. This includes access to a library of free fitness classes, as well as an instant My GP service and free counselling sessions with a trained professional. 

Find out more about our employment perks here! 

Now you’re really interested? 

At YH, we’re actively building a working environment that’s inclusive as well as diverse, where everyone can contribute their best work and be themselves. We believe difference is what makes us stronger and recognise the importance of our teams reflecting communities we serve, so we welcome and encourage candidates from all backgrounds for this role.  

We know that not all candidates will meet every single requirement. If you’re experience looks a little different from what we’re looking for and you think you can bring value to the role, we’d love to learn more about you so please apply! 

If you require any additional support with your application, or have any further questions please contact our fab recruitment team via email at recruitment@yorkshirehousing.co.uk  

 The fine print   

The closing date for applications will be 13.04.25, but we might close it early if we get lots of great candidates, so don’t hang around.  

If you’re applying for this role internally, you must inform your current line manager (it’s the right thing to do!).   

This role is subject to a basic DBS check.