Certified Master Arborist

Certified Master Arborist 14745 South Heritagecrest Way, Bluffdale, UT 84065

Full-time Full-time Job Title:

CERTIFIED MASTER ARBORIST

Department:

Operations•Property Care & Landscape Construction Support Reporting to:

PLANT HEALTH CARE MANAGER

Direct Reports:

Tree Care Technicians and assigned crew team members, as applicable

FLSA Status:

Regular, full-time, Exempt (salaried) employee, year-round work

Normal Work Schedule:

This position is expected to work at minimum the following schedule•Monday through Friday, 7am•5pm; some evenings and weekends may be required. Must also be available for overtime, storm-related tree response, and work during snow/ice events when they occur.

Location and Travel:

This job operates primarily in the field at high-end residential properties, active installation sites, and established Property Care accounts, with time at the office/shop as needed.

Working Conditions:

This position requires strong observation, sound judgment, careful documentation, and clear verbal and written communication. Work is primarily performed outdoors in all types of weather and seasons and may include walking properties for extended periods, bending, kneeling, digging, soil sampling, lifting, working near machinery, reviewing trees at heights from the ground, and handling or supervising the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and plant health care materials in accordance with all label, safety, and regulatory requirements. Sitting for periods of time and looking at a computer, tablet, or phone screen could also be required. ___ Job Summary The Certified Master Arborist is a senior technical leadership role responsible for protecting, elevating, and sustaining the long-term health, structure, safety, and beauty of the trees entrusted to Sunline Landscapes. This position supports trees from the installation phase through years of Property Care Services, ensuring that every tree is selected, planted, watered, pruned, fertilized, monitored, and treated with a high level of professional expertise and brand-level care. The Certified Master Arborist upholds the values of Sunline Landscapes, contributes to company goals, and must act in the best interest of Sunline Landscapes and our clients. This role partners closely with the all levels of the property care and construction teams, vendors, and clients to create a proactive, luxury-level tree care experience. The Certified Master Arborist is responsible for tree health assessments, preservation planning, plant health care recommendations, training crews on proper planting and maintenance techniques, and developing standards that reduce rework, protect client investments, and improve the quality and profitability of tree-related services. The ideal candidate combines deep arboricultural expertise with excellent client service, clear field leadership, and a passion for mentoring teams. This position will help Sunline Landscapes become known not only for creating beautiful landscapes, but also for stewarding estate-level trees and living landscapes for decades. Duties and Responsibilities Big 5 1. Protect the long-term health, structure, safety, and luxury presentation of client trees across installation and Property Care accounts. 2. Train, coach, and hold crews accountable to Sunline-level standards for planting, watering, fertilization, pesticide use, pruning, mulching, and ongoing tree care. 3. Provide expert diagnostics, written recommendations, and proactive plant health care plans that preserve client investments and prevent avoidable tree decline. 4. Support company goals for client satisfaction, quality control, sales, profitability, retention, and operational excellence. 5. Stay true to Company Mission, Purpose, and Values while practicing LMA•Lead, Manage, and Accountability. Role Specific Tasks and Duties Serve as Sunline Landscapes' subject matter expert for arboriculture, tree preservation, tree establishment, plant health care, and long-term tree stewardship. Inspect, assess, and document trees on new installation sites, active projects, and ongoing Property Care accounts, including tree condition, species suitability, site stressors, pest/disease pressure, soil conditions, irrigation needs, and safety concerns. Develop tree health care plans, preservation recommendations, pruning priorities, watering protocols, fertilization programs, pest and disease management plans, and seasonal monitoring schedules. Partner with Property Care Managers and Production Managers to prioritize tree care work, convert opportunities into approved work tickets, and communicate recommendations clearly to clients. Review landscape plans, planting details, and site conditions prior to installation to help ensure proper tree species selection, placement, sizing, soil preparation, drainage, irrigation coordination, and long-term viability. Train crews on proper tree planting techniques, including root flare/root collar identification, container and burlap preparation, planting depth, hole preparation, backfill practices, staking/guying, mulching, watering, and post-installation care. Train and coach teams on proper watering techniques for new and established trees, including coordination with irrigation personnel to prevent drought stress, overwatering, poor establishment, and long-term root health issues. Guide proper use of fertilizers, soil amendments, pesticides, and plant health care materials in compliance with label requirements, SDS guidance, licensing requirements, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Establish and maintain tree care SOPs, quality standards, checklists, and training materials that are practical for field teams and aligned with Sunline's high-end residential brand. Provide field quality control for tree planting, pruning, plant health care, and preservation work to ensure finished results meet or exceed Sunline and client expectations. Identify pest, disease, abiotic stress, construction damage, drainage, compaction, girdling roots, root collar burial, mechanical damage, and irrigation-related issues before they become larger client problems. Recommend and oversee corrective actions such as root collar excavations, soil remediation, structural pruning, cabling/bracing recommendations where appropriate, pest/disease treatments, fertilization adjustments, watering changes, and tree replacement when necessary. Lead or support client walkthroughs and estate tree reviews with a polished, professional, consultative approach. Prepare and/or support estimates, proposals, work tickets, change orders, production rates, material quantities, and service scopes for tree care and plant health care work. Review job costing and production performance for tree care services, helping ensure services are billed accurately, margins are protected, and no approved work goes unbilled. Continually inform and update the Director of Property Care, Property Care Managers, Production Managers, and relevant team members regarding service status, tree health concerns, crew needs, client risks, and follow-up recommendations. Document inspections, recommendations, photos, daily field notes, service completion, and follow-up needs accurately in Aspire or other company systems. Build strong relationships with nursery partners, suppliers, labs, subcontractors, consulting arborists, and other partners needed to deliver premium tree care outcomes. Support recruiting, onboarding, development, performance feedback, and retention of tree care technicians and crew members as assigned. Ensure all safety procedures, PPE requirements, equipment protocols, chemical handling practices, and incident reporting requirements are followed. Ensure tools, equipment, materials, and vehicles used for tree care and plant health care work are maintained, operated safely, and used appropriately. Attend regular meetings as required and bring clear, proactive recommendations to improve quality, efficiency, safety, and client experience. Remain current with arboricultural best practices, plant health care methods, tree preservation standards, and continuing education requirements; minimum of 15 hours per year. Required Education and Licenses Current ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA) credential required. Valid driver's license and ability to be insured on company policy. State pesticide applicator license, or ability to obtain within the timeframe required by Sunline Landscapes and applicable state regulations. Bachelor's degree in Arboriculture, Urban Forestry, Horticulture, Plant Science, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Science, or a related field is preferred; will consider equivalent professional experience with a proven record of advanced arboricultural expertise. Required Work Experience and Skills Minimum of seven (7) years of professional arboriculture, plant health care, estate landscape care, urban forestry, or related field experience. Advanced knowledge of tree biology, physiology, identification, selection, planting, pruning, establishment, preservation, risk factors, pests, diseases, soil health, nutrient management, and water management. Experience diagnosing tree decline and creating practical, prioritized treatment recommendations for high-value residential trees and landscapes. Proven ability to train and coach field teams in a way that improves quality, safety, consistency, and accountability. Excellent client-facing communication skills with the ability to explain technical recommendations in a polished, clear, and confidence-building manner. Excellent leadership skills capable of inspiring top tier performance while maintaining high morale and enforcing company policies and procedures. Ability to read landscape plans, planting plans, site plans, specifications, and field conditions to identify arboricultural risks and opportunities. Strong understanding of proper tree planting, watering, mulching, pruning, fertilization, pesticide application oversight, and long-term maintenance practices. Ability to collaborate across departments while also working independently in the field without direct supervision for extended periods of time. Proficient working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Outlook, and mobile technology. Proficient in or able to learn company estimating, scheduling, customer relationship management, GPS tracking, and management software, including Aspire. Understanding of business financial concepts such as gross sales, margins and markups, expense control, job costing, and profit and loss. Self-motivated, well organized, detail oriented, and professional. Seek and accept feedback and be willing to learn and grow. Ability to maintain composure and keep a positive, friendly attitude even during high-pressure client, weather, production, or plant health situations. Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. Ability to work flexible working hours, including Saturday work if necessary, emergency or storm-related availability, and work during seasonal snow or ice events. Able to represent the company in a courteous and professional manner.

Required Language:

English-fluency in reading, writing, and speaking Preferred Work Experience and Skills ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP) or similar safety credential. Professional experience on high-end residential, estate, or luxury landscape properties. Experience building and managing proactive plant health care programs, including seasonal monitoring, soil testing, fertilization, pest/disease treatments, and client reporting. Experience with tree preservation during construction, renovation, grading, drainage, or hardscape installation projects. Strong nursery, supplier, lab, and subcontractor relationships related to trees and plant health care. Knowledge of specific materials, methods, tools, and equipment required to complete tree care, plant health care, landscape, and lawn care tasks. Knowledge and experience in snow removal industry. Bilingual is preferred in Spanish/English. Please note this job description is not designed to cover every duty required for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. •Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.