Onboarding plan
Arborist Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)
A practical, printable plan to take a new arborist from first day to full productivity.
Arborist onboarding at a glance
Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.
Before day one
- Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
- Verify required credentials: ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Certified Tree Worker/Climber Specialist (as applicable)
- Prepare equipment and access: chainsaws and pole saws; climbing ropes and harnesses; bucket trucks; wood chippers
- Assign a buddy or preceptor
- Enroll the new hire in Arborist training so foundations are covered before or during week one
Week one: orient and protect
- Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
- Stay outside minimum approach distances from power lines
- Wear helmet, eye, hearing and chainsaw protection
- Inspect climbing gear daily
- Use clear communication with ground crews
- Shadow an experienced arborist through a full shift
- Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)
Days 1–30: learn
Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.
- Supervised practice: make a proper pruning cut
- Supervised practice: set up a safe work zone
- Supervised practice: inspect climbing gear
- Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
- 30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins
Days 31–60: contribute
Goal: handle a regular workload independently.
- Prune trees and shrubs: independently
- Remove trees safely: independently
- Clear branches from power lines: independently
- Operate chippers and stump grinders: independently
- Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
- Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
- 60-day check-in
Days 61–90: own
Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.
- Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
- Begin cross-training on a secondary task
- Agree on a credential goal (for example, ISA Certified Arborist)
- Discuss the career path: Ground Worker → Climber or Bucket Operator → Crew Leader
- 90-day review
Competency checklist
| Skill or task | Trained | Observed | Signed off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Make a Proper Pruning Cut | |||
| Set Up a Safe Work Zone | |||
| Inspect Climbing Gear | |||
| Tree climbing | |||
| Chainsaw operation | |||
| Rigging | |||
| Pruning techniques |
How to measure onboarding success
- Time to independent work
- Injuries and equipment damage
- Quality checks, client complaints or animal outcomes
- Seasonal return rate
How Arborist training maps to this plan
- Introduction to the Arborist Role
- A Day on the Job
- Essential Arborist Vocabulary
- Core Duties and Responsibilities
- Common Tasks, Step by Step
- Tools, Equipment and Technology
- Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
- Skills Employers Look For
- Launching Your Arborist Career
- Final Knowledge Check