Tree Climber

Climbing Arborist / Tree Care Laborer

Own Your Work. Grow Your Skills. Build Something Bigger.

Barnes, Inc. is looking for a Climbing Arborist to join our Tree Pruning & Removal Division in Madison, WI. This is a hands-on, outdoor role for someone who likes physical work, problem-solving, teamwork, and the satisfaction of seeing a job done right.

At Barnes, you are not just an employee - you have the opportunity to become an employee-owner through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan, also known as an ESOP. That means your work helps build the value of a company that gives back to the people who help make it successful. Barnes' ESOP provides eligible team members with a beneficial ownership stake in the company at no cost to the employee.

What You'll Do

As a Climbing Arborist, you will help safely prune, maintain, and remove trees using climbing and rigging techniques, aerial lifts, chainsaws, hand tools, chippers, stump grinders, and other tree care equipment. Work is generally performed outdoors and often above ground in the tree canopy.

You will be part of a crew that takes pride in safe work, clean job sites, and high-quality service for our customers.

A Day on the Job May Include

Climbing trees using ropes, saddles, and related equipment
Pruning or removing trees and branches safely
Assisting climbers with ropes, tools, lowering branches, and clearing hazards
Operating or assisting with chippers, chainsaws, aerial lifts, skidloaders, trailers, and stump grinders
Cleaning, sharpening, and maintaining tools and equipment
Grinding stumps and restoring job sites
Inspecting trees for health, disease, or pest concerns
Leaving each property cleaner than when the crew arrived

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who is dependable, safety-minded, physically capable, and ready to grow in the tree care industry.

Preferred qualifications include:

High school diploma or equivalent
Tree climbing or tree care experience preferred, but we are open to training the right person
Valid Arborist Certification preferred, but not required
Valid Pesticide Applicator License preferred, but not required
Commercial Driver's License preferred, but not required
Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs. repeatedly throughout the day
Comfort working outdoors in changing weather conditions and at heights

Why Join Barnes?

Barnes, Inc. is an established Madison-area company providing lawn, landscape, tree, and snow removal services. Our handbook identifies Tree Pruning & Removal as one of the company's core divisions, and our mission is to provide high-quality, customer-focused service while creating a professional work environment that supports opportunity, pride, growth, and profitability.

When you join Barnes, you join a team that values:

Pride in the work we do
Integrity with customers and teammates
Reliability on every job site
Growth for the company and each employee-owner

Benefits May Include

Eligible full-time, year-round employees may have access to benefits such as health insurance, dental, vision, PTO, 401(k), ESOP, paid parental leave, volunteer PTO, company-paid life insurance, voluntary term life insurance, and flexible spending accounts. Eligibility varies by benefit and employment status.

Ready to Grow With Us?

Bring your work ethic, your willingness to learn, and your commitment to safety. We will give you the opportunity to build a career, grow your skills, and contribute to a company where ownership matters.

Apply today and start climbing with Barnes, Inc.