Tree Surgeon jobs

Who We Are

At Network Rail, we're the publicly owned operator of Britain's rail infrastructure.

We're trusted custodians of one of our nation's most critical public assets: Scotland's Railway.

We keep Scotland moving - connecting people and places, supporting businesses, public services and communities - driving economic, social and environmental success.

Our work spans almost 20% of the UK network and between 2024 and 2029, we're investing £4.8 billion to enhance our stations and routes, supporting new passenger and freight rolling stock.

Working together with train operators, our investment will mean a more reliable, climate resilient railway; a better customer experience; and greener, more sustainable travel that links cities, towns, urban and rural communities with each other and with the wider UK.

But it's our people who make this progress possible. At Network Rail Scotland, you'll find an inclusive, supportive and flexible working culture where your ideas are valued, your growth is encouraged, and your impact is real. Join us.

This is your railway - and it's moving forward. For more information about Network Rail click here.

About the role

To provide Arboricultural expertise to Works Delivery and / or Maintenance teams, primarily in the form of undertake hazard assessments of trees on the Network Rail Estate and to provide support and guidance to enable efficient completion of works while enabling enhancements to the lineside landscape.

Here are some of the duties your role will include: -

• Undertake and complete hazard assessments of trees on the Network Rail estate
• Provide a range of Arboricultural surveys and inspections relating to works on or near the lineside infrastructure.
• Collate, write up and review survey results and mapping target notes.
• Work alongside ecologists and engineers to determine best course of action to reduce risk while maintaining biodiversity and habitat.
• Produce vegetation management scoping documents, in line with relevant, suitable for commercial tendering purposes.
• Lead the development of relationships between Network Rail and our neighbours to enable cooperative working and wider landscape enhancement strategies, including statutory bodies, local authorities, and members of the public.
• Help to provide best practice and legislative guidance to other parts of Network Rail to promote sound arboricultural practices.
• Analyse and interpret data from survey results to enable timescales and work planning to take place efficiently.
• Provide specialist arboricultural advice and guidance to site managers, engineers, planners and others associated with the undertaking and completion of surveys.
• Conduct site surveys, give pre-planning advice as well as producing planting plans and designs.
• Apply knowledge of tree biology for effective tree maintenance as required.

How to apply - External

Salary: Starting at £43,588 and rising to £53,167 per annum.

Network Rail Benefits - To find out about what benefits we offer, click here

Closing date: Midnight of the 16 th of November 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.

Please get your application in as soon as possible, we may close the advert before the listed closing date if we receive enough applications. Late applications will not be accepted.

Please note the recruitment process for this role is a competency-based interview. If any additional stages or testing/assessments are to take place, you will be notified of these.

Click 'apply now' to apply.

We're dedicated to creating an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from everyone! Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. You can visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available.

Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Your experience and skills

What you will bring to the role: -

• Knowledge of rail maintenance delivery process and techniques for vegetation removal
• Good interpersonal, influencing, communication and organisation skills.
• Comprehensive field experience
• A relevant qualification in arboriculture i.e., National Certificate of Arboriculture or Royal Forestry Society Diploma or Level 3 City & Guilds
• In-depth experience of Arboricultural practice within the railway environment is essential.
• Demonstrable knowledge of the identification and implications of structural weakness, decay, pest diseases and the effects of tree root systems on rail infrastructure and adjoining land
• Task orientated team player.

It's desirable if you have it to help give you context to the role: -

• Knowledge of operational railway environment
• Knowledge of ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard
• Membership of relevant professional body
• Experience attending client meetings and working with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Full UK driving licence.
• A good working knowledge of Network Rail IT systems and mapping tools

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