Job Details:
Job Reference: HCC622211
Salary Range: £24,225 - £24,415 per annum
Work Location: Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Temporary (24 months)
Closing Date: 19 October 2025
Interview Date: 4 November 2025
The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in Hampshire is open all year and offers 180 acres of beauty, inspiration and discovery. Over 42,000 plants from temperate regions around the world grow in a variety of themed landscapes, this varied and exciting role will see you assist the arb team.
Come and refine your skills in a dynamic working environment with an experienced and friendly team, where personal growth and development are encouraged.
The Role:
We are currently recruiting for a full-time Student Arborist position for a period of 24 months.
This unique opportunity offers expert knowledge / guidance and training from a highly experienced head arborist and team within an internationally renowned arboretum.
What you’ll do:
The Student Arborist will be qualified with Level 2 chipper, chainsaw maintenance and felling up to 380mm. Climbing, aerial rescue and chainsaw use in a tree, training and qualifications will be given as part of the role.
Students will be taught industry best practise in numerous arboricultural operations and basics in the plant sciences, advanced plant identification skills and practical workshops on tree and plant management.
You'll contribute to the first-class maintenance of the tree collection and associated landscape ensuring that The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens achieves the highest standards of arboricultural health and safety, maintenance and presentation.
What we’re looking for:
A good basic knowledge of trees and plants and an enthusiasm and passion for trees and learning are prerequisite. The position would suit a college leaver or someone at the start of their arboricultural career.
Why join us?
We offer a flexible, motivating and inclusive workplace, where talent is truly recognised and developed. We have created an environment that you can look forward to being a part of and where you are empowered to be your best and believe in creating a workplace built on teamwork where people can grow and develop in their roles.
If you think you have what it takes to make a real difference in Hampshire, get in touch!
To find out more about what we can offer you in return, please see our benefits package .
Additional Information:
Arborist Student Candidate Pack
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:
Matthew Strand, Head Arborist on 07738448831
Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.
We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.