As-Needed Arborist, ISA Certified in Los Angeles, California at Rincon Consultants, Inc

About Us
We are an award-winning California-based environmental consulting firm with 550+ professionals and more than 30 years of diverse experience serving clients in transportation, energy, water, infrastructure, private development, and government sectors. Our mission is to deliver practical, science-based environmental and planning solutions that support communities, infrastructure, and natural systems

As a people-centric organization we value collaboration, fairness, and transparency, and are committed to fostering a workplace that supports both personal and professional growth while offering robust career opportunities. We are especially proud of our recent Great Place To Work® certification, which reflects an independent assessment of our culture and our team member experiences.

About The Role

We are seeking an As-Needed Arborist with International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification and Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) to support projects throughout the Los Angeles area. This role will support tree inventories, risk assessments, construction monitoring, and tree protection compliance for a variety of infrastructure and development projects.

The ideal candidate will have experience identifying native and ornamental tree species, evaluating tree health and condition, and coordinating with project teams, contractors, and agencies to help ensure compliance with project requirements and applicable regulations. This position involves extensive fieldwork and may require occasional travel throughout California.

What You'll Do

• Conduct tree inventories, assessments, and risk evaluations for a variety of projects

• Identify native California and ornamental tree species and evaluate overall tree health and condition

• Document tree characteristics including species, size, structure, health, and recommendations for preservation or mitigation

• Identify potential impacts to trees from construction activities

• Communicate tree trimming techniques, protection measures, and industry best management practices

• Collaborate with construction crews and project teams to avoid impacts to protected trees and other biological resources during construction

• Monitor compliance with tree protection and preservation requirements during construction activities

• Support compliance with local ordinances, municipal tree protection codes, and CEQA related requirements

• Apply ANSI A300 standards and ISA best management practices in field assessments

• Recognize structural defects, pest and disease issues, and common failure indicators

• Prepare field documentation, monitoring logs, technical reports, and compliance summaries

• Collect GPS data and map tree locations using GIS or mobile data collection tools

• Follow site safety protocols and work safely around active construction, traffic, and heavy equipment

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's in environmental science, forestry, or related field (candidates with the equivalent in knowledge and experience may also be considered)
• Minimum 1–3 years of relevant professional experience in arboriculture
• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certification required
• Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) required
• General knowledge and experience conducting:
  • Tree inventories
  • Tree risk assessments
  • Protected tree monitoring
  • Tree removal and construction monitoring
  • Survey data collection and reporting
  • GPS-based field data collection
  • Interpretation of project site plans and construction documents
• Ability to identify local and regional tree species and understand growth habits and maintenance needs
• Comfortable working on active construction sites and coordinating with contractors and project teams
• Experience working both collaboratively and independently, demonstrating sound judgment and self-direction
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience preparing field reports, monitoring logs, and preconstruction survey documentation.
• Willingness and flexibility to work extended hours (10-12+ hour days) and travel throughout LA and Orange Counties and occasionally California as project needs require.
• Ability to hike 6–8 miles per day in challenging terrain and variable weather conditions while carrying up to 25lbs of equipment.

Nice To Have

• Familiarity with local and regional ordinances, permitting processes, and regulations related to tree protection and biological resources

Compensation
The hourly rate for this as-needed position ranges from $30.00–$38.00 per hour, depending on experience, qualifications, and responsibilities. Salary ranges are based on the market median of similar jobs, according to third-party salary benchmark surveys. Base pay is determined based on internal equity and a candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Additional Employment Information
Individuals offered employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of employment. Additionally, those hired who may be assigned to federal projects will be subject to further drug testing, including screening for cannabinoids (THC/marijuana), in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and other applicable federal regulations, which take precedence over California state and local laws.

Rincon Consultants, Inc does not accept unsolicited applicant/candidate resumes from search firm recruiters and/or temporary agencies that do not have a signed contract and specified work order with Rincon Consultants. Further, such resumes received will be deemed the sole property of Rincon Consultants and no fees will be paid in the event Rincon Consultants subsequently hires such individual. Rincon Consultants is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.