Arborist Team Leader

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values - Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

The Arborist Team Leader is a hands-on, working supervisor responsible for leading arboricultural operations across the Alton Towers Resort. This is not an office-based role. You will spend the vast majority of your time working outdoors, climbing, undertaking practical tree work, and leading from the front. Alongside your team leadership duties, you will be actively involved in delivering the physical tasks required to maintain the safety, health, and appearance of the resort’s extensive tree population.

Key Responsibilities

Hands-On Arboricultural Work (Primary Duty)

• Perform daily arboricultural tasks including climbing, rigging, pruning, dismantling, and chainsaw work.
• Conduct practical tree inspections and carry out immediate safety interventions when required.
• Work across diverse environments including woodland, pathways, ride perimeters, water features, guest areas, and service roads.

  Working Supervision & Team Leadership

• Lead by example as a working supervisor, completing physical tree work alongside your team.
• Allocate tasks, coordinate work zones, and oversee quality while remaining fully operational.
• Mentor junior arborists and support their development through on-site coaching.
• Promote high standards of safety, professionalism, and guest awareness.

  Safety & Compliance

• Maintain safe working practices during all arboricultural activities (LOLER, PUWER, Work at Height Regs).
• Deliver on-site risk assessments and tool-box talks directly in the field.
• Ensure equipment is inspected, recorded, and maintained.

  Planning & Record Keeping

• Support planning of tree maintenance programmes, hazard reduction, and long-term arboricultural strategies.
• Use simple digital and paper-based systems to record completed works and inspections (minimal administrative tasks).
• Provide operational insights to the estates management team to support decision-making.

  Skills & Experience Required:

  Essential

• Extensive practical arboricultural experience (minimum 5 years).
• Strong climbing, rigging, and chainsaw skills; confident with complex tree operations.
• NPTC/LANTRA qualifications (CS30, CS31, CS38, CS39).
• Proven experience supervising or leading arborist teams on-site.
• Excellent knowledge of BS3998 and modern arboricultural techniques.
• High physical fitness suitable for daily outdoor work in varied conditions.
• Commitment to safety and professional standards.

  Desirable

• PTI (Professional Tree Inspector) or equivalent.
• MEWP qualification.
• Experience working in theme parks, estates, or large-scale outdoor environments.
• Understanding of digital tree management systems.

  Personal Attributes

• Hands-on leader who thrives in outdoor, practical environments.
• Proactive, confident decision-maker who leads from the front.
• Excellent communicator able to guide, train, and motivate others.
• Strong situational awareness in guest-facing operational areas.
• Passion for trees, conservation, and maintaining exceptional standards.

If you are interested in joining a business that encourages professional development, career progression and the chance to work with inspirational people then please click apply and register your interest! You can also sign up to our job alerts when registering which will notify you when other suitable vacancies are available.

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.