Overview
Crew Leader (Lead Climber) REF: 2127
SO1: £40,404 pa rising in annual increments to £41,637 pa inc LW.
Plus very generous standby allowance and out of hour’s emergency call out payments.
Contract: Permanent - Full Time
About Us
It is an exciting time to join Lambeth Council, with ambitions for Lambeth’s communities and residents through the Lambeth 2030 Plan “Our Future, Our Lambeth.” The One Lambeth Programme aims to ensure we are connected by purpose and deliver excellence. We have refreshed our One Lambeth Values and Behaviours: Equity, Ambition, Kindness, and Accountability.
About the Borough
Lambeth is in South London, a diverse borough with over 317,600 residents, 130+ languages spoken, and a range of communities and services. The area includes landmarks, parks, cultural venues, and world‑renowned institutions.
About the Team
Join Lambeth’s Tree Services team, delivering tree management services in house and to private clients. You will be part of a dynamic team including climbers, ground staff, tree officers and the wider Lambeth Landscapes operation, with training and career development opportunities.
About the Role
The successful candidate will act as lead climber, taking overall responsibility for managing a small crew undertaking tree surgery operations. You will be experienced in tree surgery and climbing on very large trees, operating to best practice standards and health and safety protocols. You may also undertake grounding, driving, towing and other tree management duties as required.
You will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of all types of tree work equipment for your crew, including chainsaws, chippers and stump grinders.
The role requires physically demanding work such as climbing very large trees and heavy manual tasks, often in challenging terrain and in all weathers.
Contracted working hours are 35 per week, Monday to Friday, with participation in the out-of-hours emergency call-out rota.
Benefits include generous annual leave, a final salary pension scheme, full PPE and kit, training and career development within the Tree Service team and wider Lambeth Landscapes operations.
If you are self-motivated, hard-working and committed to delivering arboricultural services to high standards, we would love to hear from you.
Essential Criteria
To be considered for interview, your CV and supporting statement should evidence:
* Core values and behaviours demonstrating equity, kindness, accountability and ambition.
* Experience and knowledge appropriate to the position, including:
* Relevant NPTC/CS certificates or equivalent:
o CS30 Maintain and Operate the Chainsaw
o CS31 Felling of Small Trees
o CS38 Climb Trees and Perform Aerial Rescue
o CS39 Use of the Chainsaw from a Rope and Harness
o CS40 Carry out pruning operations
o Lantra Brushwood Chipper NPTC A06
o Operation and maintenance of all tree work equipment, including chainsaws and chippers
o Full UK driving licence and willing to undertake C1 + E entitlement
o Physically able to undertake tree work operations including climbing and carrying out tree surgery in very tall, large trees
o Minimum 3 years’ experience as a climbing arborist
Equal Opportunities
We especially encourage applications from underrepresented groups. Lambeth may utilise the Equality Act 2010 positive action provisions between candidates of equal merit.
Job Description and Person Specification
For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification in the hyperlink below. Job Description and Person Specification.
Contact Information
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Steve Durkin (sdurkin@lambeth.gov.uk, 07514 539614) or Andy Golds (agolds@lambeth.gov.uk, 07523 803566).
Recruitment Timelines
Advert close date: 11:59pm on Sunday 12 October 2025.
Benefits
We offer a range of benefits, including:
* Participation in Staff Networks (Black, Asian and Multi-Ethnic, LGBTQ+, Disability, Young Professionals, Women)
* Generous annual leave entitlement (27 days rising to 35 with service)
* Membership in the Local Government Pension Scheme
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Discounts at local restaurants and Active Lambeth gyms
* Learning and Development opportunities, including Apprenticeships
* Cycle to Work Scheme and secure bike storage
* Trade Union Membership
How to Apply
Click on the apply button and complete an online application. In your supporting statement, demonstrate how you meet the shortlist criteria marked with an A. We operate an anonymised application process; remove personal details from your CV and statement before uploading.
We are committed to safer recruitment, are Stonewall diversity champions, Living Wage Employer, and guarantee interviews for disabled candidates who meet minimum criteria. For a full list of accreditations, please click here.
Note: You may be required to undertake a Cifas check. Further information is available about Cifas. We actively support applications from Lambeth Care Leavers.
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