Arborist

Special Instructions to Applicants: Applicants should attach a resume in PDF format to the Supporting Documents section of the application.

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in how we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — which stands for Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

Position Summary

The Arborist is responsible for the care, maintenance, and management of trees and woody plants across the property. This role ensures the health, safety, and aesthetic value of the landscape through regular inspections, pruning, planting, removal, and treatment of trees. The Arborist applies industry best practices in tree biology, risk assessment, pest and disease management, and soil care while adhering to safety standards and environmental stewardship. The position requires hands-on work with a variety of tree care equipment and collaboration with landscape and grounds teams to support the overall horticultural goals of the organization.

The ideal candidate is a skilled and motivated arborist with hands-on experience in tree care, risk assessment, pruning, planting, and pest management. They demonstrate a strong commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and teamwork while maintaining the health and beauty of the landscape.

In addition to joining a meaningful and mission-driven team, employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including PTO, health insurance, tuition discounts, and access to campus facilities.

Workplace Requirements

This position is exclusively on-site, requiring all duties to be performed in person. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

This essential, on-site position requires availability Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays.

The role involves performing strenuous physical tasks in a variety of weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold. Duties frequently require walking, standing, bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, and navigating uneven terrain. Employees regularly lift, carry, drag, and handle objects weighing up to 30 pounds (occasionally up to 50 pounds), including heavy debris, watering hoses, and items transported via powered or hand-operated carts.

Hiring Range

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the proposed salary is $20.00 –$21.56 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience. *Non-Exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent 
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis
• 4 years of experience in the care, trimming, and removal of trees in residential and commercial settings and/or the grounds of a school, hospital, or other organization
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis

Skills:

• Tree care and maintenance, including pruning, planting, removal, and risk assessment
• Pest, disease, and soil management with knowledge of integrated pest management (IPM)
• Operation of hand and power tools, climbing equipment, aerial lifts, and landscape machinery
• Adherence to safety standards, proper use of PPE, and environmental compliance
• Recordkeeping, site inspection, and basic understanding of tree biology and ecosystem interactions
• Teamwork, communication, and problem-solving in a landscape or horticultural setting
• Experience operating a variety of equipment, including assorted hand and power tools, chainsaws, electric and diesel gators, tractors, loaders, aerial lifts, and dump trucks
• Ability to implement proper pruning techniques for all types of woody plants

Preferences

• Associate’s degree in Arboriculture, Horticulture, or a closely related field of study
• Certified Arborist, multiple years of tree care experience, or directly applicable certifications

Essential Functions

• Performs routine and preventative tree maintenance, including watering, aerating, fertilizing, cabling, staking, and planting new trees as needed to support tree health and campus aesthetics
• Plans, schedules, and conducts tree pruning to maintain structural integrity, appearance, and safety of campus trees
• Monitors and diagnoses tree health, identifying pests, diseases, or environmental stress, and implements appropriate treatments or corrective measures
• Leads and collaborates with small teams (2–5 people) to complete tree care assignments efficiently and safely
• Conducts emergency tree care and repair in response to weather damage, accidents, or hazardous conditions
• Safely removes dead, dying, or dangerous trees while adhering to established safety procedures and environmental guidelines
• Operates and maintains tools, equipment, and machinery required for tree care, ensuring proper use and safety compliance
• Maintains accurate records of tree inspections, treatments, and maintenance activities
• Communicates effectively with supervisors, team members, and the public regarding tree care activities and campus safety
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the overall horticultural and landscape management goals

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits 

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.

Salary : $20 - $22