Utility Arborist

Utility Arborist

Our Arborist teams help to ensure that during bad weather, trees do not fall on power lines. Working with highly skilled teams, they clear trees and vegetation in proximity to our overhead transmission and distribution network, ultimately keeping the lights on for our customers.

We're growing our team and looking for people who love being outdoors and have experience climbing or working at height. If you have previous experience in tree cutting, forestry or arboriculture, we want to hear from you!

Job Number: 560062

Closing at: Nov 6 2026 - 23:55 GMT

Base Location: Petersfield, Aldershot, Basingstoke

This role is mobile and predominantly field based, and we require your base 'home' location to be within 30 minutes from our depot listed above.

Salary: £30,684 - £36,666 DOE, plus:

• 37 hour working week.
• Up to £4,442 for overtime payments & up to £3,820 for standby payments, giving you a potential of £8,262 extra per year.
• Full PPE and tools required for the position.
• Access to a company vehicle.
• A range of other benefits to support your family, finances, and wellbeing.

Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time

We are looking for a Utility Arborist to join our busy team!

As a Utility Arborist, you will play a vital role in keeping the electricity network safe and reliable. Working as part of a planned tree-cutting programme, you will help manage trees and vegetation near our distribution network, ensuring work is completed safely and to schedule.

Safety is at the heart of everything we do. Working alongside experienced colleagues, you will assess sites, plan work activities and carry out tree-cutting operations across a variety of environments and voltage levels, always following the highest safety standards.

You will also play an important role during periods of severe weather. High winds and storms can cause trees to come into contact with network equipment, leading to power outages. Your work in cutting, pruning and managing vegetation helps prevent disruptions and restores power when incidents occur, keeping communities connected and the lights on.

You will have

• Previous experience in forestry, arboriculture, or a closely related field.
• Relevant NPTC certificate units for the use of chainsaws, and a qualification including NPTC and UAs
• Enthusiasm and drive with a flexible approach to work and an ability to adapt to changing business and project priorities.
• Experience of working with power lines, and climbing would be highly advantageous.
• A high regard for safety, embedding yourself in our safety culture and adhering to guidelines in everything you do is a key priority.

Travel is required and as a result we can only accept applications from candidates that hold a current driving licence.

About SSE

SSE’s purpose is to provide energy needed today while building a better world of energy for tomorrow. We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. Our Transforming for Growth investment plan sees us investing £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure across the five years to 2030.

SSEN Distribution, part of the wider SSE group, powers 3.9 million UK homes and businesses. Our team of more than 4,200 skilled engineers, customer service advisors and energy experts keep customers connected to a safe, reliable supply of electricity while investing in and developing the flexible networks needed for our low carbon future.

Flexible benefits to fit your life

Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships. Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service. Interest-free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme. As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.

Work with an equal opportunity employer

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive.

Thank you

Our Benefits

• 34+ Days Holiday with the option to buy more
• 21 weeks full pay maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity package
• Flexible Working options
• Free, 24/7 Employee Counselling and wellbeing support
• Market leading pension with contributions starting at 6%
• Sharesave scheme
• Healthcare & Gym Discounts
• Interest-Free Tech / Travel Loans
• Cycle to work scheme
• Time back to volunteer
• Shopping, leisure, and restaurant discounts
• And much more…