Arborist
At Wollongong City Council, we continuously strive to create an Extraordinary Wollongong. We focus on the delivery of exceptional services, infrastructure and facilities for our community.
Wollongong is a great place to work, live and play Together, our responsibility is to create an inclusive community where everyone is welcome, valued and belongs. Our strength is the diversity of our people.
We lead with courage, openness and curiosity and believe our employees are the key to our success. Learn more about us here.
The opportunity
Wollongong City Council is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the natural beauty of our region, and we're passionate about creating sustainable, vibrant green spaces that our community can enjoy for generations to come. We're looking for a skilled and motivated Arborist to join our four-member team-someone who loves working outdoors, places safety at the heart of their work, and takes real pride in delivering high‑quality tree care.
In this role, you'll play a key part in maintaining the health, safety and presentation of trees across the city. You will hold a Certificate III in Horticulture (or equivalent) with solid arboriculture experience, giving you the confidence to perform core duties while continuing to grow and develop your canopy‑work skills.
You will bring a strong safety mindset, be physically capable of repetitive manual tasks, and feel confident working at height. In this hands‑on role, you'll carry out climbing and canopy work, operate equipment safely, and support the nominated climber when required, so it's important that you're fit and able to perform the duties outlined in the position description. You'll work effectively on your own-planning and prioritising your daily tasks-while communicating clearly with your team and the community. In return, you'll benefit from great conditions, a supportive team that backs your professional growth, early‑start/early‑finish work hours, and a balanced 9‑day fortnight with a regular Rostered Day Off (RDO). Overtime and call‑out work may occasionally be required as operational needs arise.
This is a Permanent Full-Time position. Salary from: $78,929 per annum plus superannuation. (Salary package will be assessed based on skills, experience and qualifications).
What you will be doing
* Inspect trees to assess health, structure, stability and risk.
* Perform pruning, trimming, canopy maintenance and tree removals.
* Respond to urgent tree related issues such as storm damage or fallen trees.
* Implement pest and disease management strategies.
* Operate and maintain arboriculture equipment including chainsaws and woodchippers.
* Record assessments, maintenance activities and tree inventory accurately.
* Work collaboratively with council teams and community stakeholders.
* Follow all industry standards and safe work practices.
About you
* You are a qualified Arborist (Certificate III in Arboriculture) with good climbing ability and a desire to keep developing and refining your skills.
* You are passionate about arboriculture and preserving urban green spaces.
* You can follow and pass on instructions effectively within a team environment
* You are organised, proactive and confident working independently, while also being a reliable and supportive team member.
* You are a leader in safe work practices and uphold Council's values of Respect, Integrity, OneTeam, Sustainability and Courage.
* You have a Current Class C Drivers Licence.
* You have the following Licences/Tickets (or willing to obtain in the first 3 months):
* Elevated Work Platform Ticket
* Safe Working near Overhead Power Lines
* Traffic Controller Level 1
* Chemical Application of Poisons
* Asbestos Awareness
Why you'll love working at Wollongong City Council
* True work-life balance We know you work hard, and we make sure that effort is rewarded with real flexibility. Our hybrid work options, flex-time, and rostered days off mean you can maintain balance while delivering great outcomes.
* Great working conditions Enjoy a 35-hour work week or a 9-day fortnight with a regular rostered day off (RDO).
* Career growth and recognition
We are committed to supporting your personal and professional development. Our initiatives include a reward and recognition program, corporate learning opportunities, study assistance, and leadership development programs to help you grow and succeed.
* Generous leave provisions Benefit from five weeks of annual leave per year (pro rata) and access long service leave after just five years.
* Health, safety, and wellbeing We prioritise a safe workplace for everyone, every day, everywhere. Our wellbeing programs support mental, physical and social wellbeing of our people to be at their best and include an Employee Assistance Program, skin and hearing checks, vaccinations, and discounted gym memberships.
* A vibrant social culture Join our Social Club for monthly activities, an annual trivia night, and fantastic Christmas events
Participate and engage in meaningful work, and contribute to our extraordinary community, where together we make a difference.
For more information, click on 'Apply' to be redirected to Wollongong City Council's job vacancy page.
Applications close 11:59pm, Monday 16 February 2026.
It is anticipated that Interviews and a Practical Assessment will be held week beginning 23 February 2026
We invite everyone to apply no matter your identity, you'll be welcome. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people who are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), people with disability and veterans.
Wollongong Council adheres to the principles of a child safe organisation and is committed to the care and protection of all children and young people in the community.
Applicants are required to undergo a rigorous employment screening process which will include Reference, Identity and Medical History Checks, and may also include a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and Working with Children Check. Employment is subject to clearance of all these checks.