Arborist – Climber

Arborist – Climber / Team Leader | Dakota Contracting

The job

• Full‑time, 50 hr weeks, Monday to Friday

• 6:30 am start at the yard (near Kyneton / Daylesford)

• Work is about 50% local / 50% away

• Meals and accom provided when you're away

• $35–45 p/hr based on experience and tickets, OT after 50 hours

You'll mainly be:

• Climbing and dismantling trees — residential removals through to large‑scale land clearing

• Running a chainsaw daily (ground and elevated)

• Working on vegetation management, land clearing and fire management jobs across Victoria (and sometimes interstate)

• Coordinating with machine operators to get trees down safely and efficiently

• Helping keep gear maintained, ropes inspected and the site running tight

From there, you can get across:

• Machine‑assisted removal (excavator with grab and saw head)

• Fire management planning and vegetation ID

• Crew leadership if you're not already running a team

Must have

Please only apply if you have:

• AQF Level 3 in Arboriculture (minimum)

• 3+ years climbing and dismantling

• Current chainsaw tickets (fell, trim, cross‑cut at height)

• First aid and working at heights

• Car licence (minimum) — able to get to the yard reliably

Good to have (we can train the right person on some of this)

• AQF Level 5 / Consulting Arborist quals

• Experience running a crew or being the lead climber on site

• HR or HC truck licence

• EWP ticket

• Tree or vegetation ID skills

• Fire management or CFA experience

• Any earthmoving tickets (excavator, posi track)

Who this suits

You'll fit in well if you:

• Like getting up a tree more than sitting behind a desk

• Want to work with a crew that runs good gear and actually plans the job properly

• Are happy to travel across Victoria and be away some weeks

• Take safety seriously without needing to be babysat

• Want to be part of a tight, no‑drama crew who care about the work

How to apply

Hit Apply and include:

• Your resume, or

• A simple list of where you've worked, what you've climbed, and tickets you hold

Thread Recruitment is shortlisting now. If you've got solid climbing and tree removal experience, apply today and we'll be in touch.