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Apply to Care for Trees
Openlands’ Arborist Registered Apprenticeship is an opportunity for individuals to work alongside industry professionals and gain hands-on experience, training, and skills in arboriculture.
The Arborist Registered Apprenticeship is a 3-year training program from Openlands that includes:
- 5400 hours of paid, on-the-job training (OTJ)
- 400+ hours of paid, classroom learning
- Gaining certifications and industry credentials, including:
- First Aid/CPR certification
- Openlands TreeKeeper certification
- Commercial driver’s license
- IL state pesticide applicator license
- Experience climbing trees, using power equipment, and planting, pruning and maintaining trees
- Learn the fundamentals of arboriculture and working with trees in an urban environment
Apprentices will be employed by Openlands for Year 1 of the apprenticeship and then be matched with a tree care employer partner in a Year 2 and 3 to complete the program. The program is full-time (35+ hours/week) with benefits and structured pay increases every 6 months.
The Arborist Registered Apprenticeship program seeks diverse candidates to participate in this program. Candidates currently unemployed, underemployed, and under-represented populations, including people of color and women, are encouraged to apply.
Minimum requirements:
- You must be 18 years or older
- You must have a signed social security card. If you need a new card, please go here.
- Provide proof of high school graduation or GED
- Have a valid Driver’s License + clean driving record.
- Be proficient in reading, speaking, & writing in English
- Be physically capable of performing essential job functions, including lifting a minimum of 50 lbs. at any time, throughout the duration of the program
Apprenticeship Information
“This program has put me in a very good position to be an arborist and acquire new skills that will allow me to better branch out into arboriculture. I have learned so much about tree establishment and maintenance as well as more advanced topics like climbing and tree removal.”
-Lisa Mende, 2021 Cohort
FAQs
How long is the program?
The ARA is designed to last 3 years, but apprentices ultimately complete the program once all hourly requirements have been obtained and the apprentice can demonstrate they are competent in all program curriculum and learning objectives.
Apprentices are employed at Openlands for the first year of the program, and once completing Year 1 program curriculum and hourly requirements, Apprentices will be “matched” with a Secondary Employer for years 2 & 3 (tree care industry partner).
What is the pay rate?
Apprentices will start at $19/hour will receive the following wage increases:
- Year 1: $19 start / $20 at 6 months
- Year 2: Start $21 / $22 at 18 months
- Year 3: Start $23 / $24 at 30 months
What is the 2025 hiring timeline?
- Monday, January 6 – The application for the 2025 cohort becomes available on the Openlands website.
- Sunday, February 2 – application closes
- Friday, February 7 & Saturday,
- February 8 – All applicants are required to attend one, 3-hour open house session on either date.
- February 11-13 – Applicants who attended an Open House sign up for an interview time slot during these dates.
- Friday, February 21 – candidates are selected for the 2025 ARA cohort.
- Monday, March 10 – ARA program begins
Who are the Secondary Employers?
The Secondary Employers range from local tree care businesses to international tree care companies and as a growing industry, employers are consistently looking for skilled individuals to fill positions at their organizations. The ARA provides committed individuals training and learning opportunities to enter into a tree care career.
Secondary Employers partnered with Openlands to provide insight, industry expertise, and assist in developing the curriculum of the ARA. Check out the ARA employer page to learn more about the secondary employer partners.
What does a typical day look like during the apprenticeship?
The apprenticeship’s daily activities are varied by the season, worksite and scheduled tasks, which makes this program and the work Openlands Forestry does varied and exciting!
Apprentices will plant new trees throughout the region, provide essential maintenance to young trees so they survive and thrive, perform structural pruning to newly established trees to ensure long term health, take specialized classes and workshops, and learn why trees, arboriculture and this industry are so important for Chicago’s urban environment.
Some days will include classroom training or meeting with an industry professional to learn about a related instruction topic in-the-field.
How physically demanding is being an arborist apprentice?
The ARA program and working in the tree care industry requires individuals to maintain their physical health. The work activities throughout this program are labor intensive and individuals who wish to maintain a career in arboriculture make efforts outside of work to stay physically able to do their job.
Environmental conditions also play a role in the physical nature of this position, and can add more physical strain. Apprentices are expected to be prepared for all environmental conditions and stay physically active throughout the 3-year program.
Will I need to climb trees in this position?
Yes. Apprentices will be trained to safely and properly climb trees. Once a foundation of climbing skills has been established, apprentices will be trained on how to safely use chainsaws, hand tools and pruning equipment to prune and remove trees while aloft.
What happens after completion of the 3-year program?
Apprentices that complete the program will receive a US Department of Labor Apprenticeship Certificate of Completion, certifying that the bearer is competent and proficient in the skills and knowledge of the Arborist standards set forth in this program.
94% of apprentices retain employment after apprenticeship completion. Apprentices that complete this program are extremely employable in the Arboriculture and Urban Forestry sector in our region and nationally.
Apprentices that complete the program will also qualify to sit for the International Society of Arboriculture- ISA Certified Arborist Exam, the industry standard individual credential for training and knowledge in arboriculture.
What does a career as an arborist look like?
To learn more about what an arborist does, check out the Tree Care Industry Association’s (TCIA) outsidecareers.org and International Society of Arboriculture’s (ISA) Careers Flowchart.
There are many available jobs in this industry in the Chicago region, nationally, and internationally.
