Climbing Arborist

Job Number:: 979997
Work type:: Permanent Full Time
Location:: Bangholme
Categories:: Environment, Operations and Maintenance, Other

Who we are

In Melbourne, water is essential to our way of life.

As caretakers for Melbourne’s water cycle, and our catchments. We care for water, life, and land throughout Melbourne: both its people and its biodiversity.

Each time you drink from the tap, flush a toilet, or kayak down the Yarra we’re there. Primed and ready, quietly delivering some of the world’s cleanest water for over five million residents and wildlife that call Melbourne home, just as we have for over 130 years.

About the Role

Bring your climbing skills to work that genuinely matters. As a Crew Arborist across our greater Melbourne, based at the South East Regional Office, you’ll help protect and maintain Melbourne’s waterways, parklands and green spaces through hands-on arboriculture, vegetation management and environmental works.

This is a great opportunity for a qualified climbing arborist who enjoys variety, outdoor work and being part of a skilled crew. You’ll put your technical capability to use in tree climbing, canopy work, ground operations and machinery use, while continuing to build your skills in a safety-focused and supportive team.

Undertake tree climbing, ground-based arboriculture work and occasional Elevated Work Platform (EWP) duties
Deliver safe, high-quality tree and vegetation management across Melbourne Water’s waterways and catchment areas
Operate heavy plant and equipment, including trucks, chippers and articulated loaders
Use a range of hand and power tools, including chainsaws, to complete arboriculture and vegetation works
Contribute to a strong safety culture while developing your capability through ongoing training

For more information, please refer to the attached Position Description

If you’re a climbing arborist who loves working outdoors, takes pride in safe, skilled tree work and wants to contribute to Melbourne’s environment, this is your opportunity.

About you:

Certificate III in Arboriculture, or equivalent recognised arboriculture qualification
Practical experience in tree climbing, ground operations and, ideally, Elevated Work Platform (EWP) duties
Relevant tickets such as Construction Induction White Card, High Risk Work Licence, chainsaw ticket and front-end loader experience will be highly regarded
A strong safety mindset and the confidence to take responsibility for safe outcomes on site
Sound problem-solving skills and the ability to respond effectively in changing field conditions
Clear communication skills and the ability to work respectfully with team members, contractors and the public
A team-focused approach, with the resilience to work under pressure and support emergency response when required

This role would suit a skilled, safety-focused climbing arborist who enjoys varied outdoor work, thrives in a crew environment and wants to apply their technical capability to meaningful environmental outcomes.

All employees must possess a license to perform any duty which is required to be held under Australian legislation. You will also need to hold a MR License and undergo a medical and police check.

Why join us:

At Melbourne Water, we care deeply about water and the life it sustains.

Our team is inspired by passion and purpose, with an unwavering commitment to safety. We are on a mission to protect every Melburnian’s way of life, one drop at a time.

We don’t just talk about flexible working - we live it. Our culture of purpose, safety, results, and learning flows through everything we do. We're dedicated to doing what's right, and this commitment extends to the meaningful work we do in a supportive and inclusive culture that encourages you to make the most of your talents.

Our long-standing commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging means that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ individuals, Neurodivergent Individuals, people living with disability, mature age and young jobseekers from all cultures can apply with confidence knowing they are safe, affirmed, and celebrated.

If you’re curious, action-orientated, outcomes-focused, and passionate about public resources, community, and the environment, we'd love to receive your application and learn if you could be a great fit.