How to become an arboricultural officer
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
University
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
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College
You could do a course at an agricultural college, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant subjects include:
- Level 2 Certificate in Arboriculture
- Level 3 Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture
- T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
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Apprenticeship
The following apprenticeships may help you get into this role:
- Intermediate Arborist
- Intermediate Forest operative
- Higher Arboriculturist
- Professional arboriculturist degree apprenticeship
These apprenticeships typically take 24 to 30 months to complete.
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
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Work
You could join an organisation as an assistant arboricultural officer, if you've got the right qualifications, certificates of competence and experience, for example as a tree surgeon or groundworker.
Volunteering
You may find it useful when applying for jobs if you have some relevant work experience. You can get this through working with local authority parks departments, landscaping firms, and tree surgery and forestry contractors.
You can also find volunteering opportunities with conservation bodies like Trees for Cities, The Tree Council and the Woodland Trust.
Direct Application
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
Other Routes
If you have completed a degree in a relevant subject, you can apply for a graduate training scheme with Forestry England.
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Professional and industry bodies
You could apply for membership of the The Institute of Chartered Foresters.
Further information
You can find out more about working in arboriculture from The Arboricultural Association and the Royal Forestry Society.