Apprentices will be employed by Openlands for the completion of Year 1 curriculum and then be matched with a regional tree care employer partner to complete Years 2 & 3 of the program.

The program is full-time (35+ hours/week) with structured pay increases every 6 months, starting at $19/hour with benefits.

Minimum requirements:

• Commitment to complete the 3-year program, and an intention to have a career in arboriculture or urban forestry;
• Ability to lift up to 50+ pounds repeatedly and ability to stand, crouch, and perform various types of manual labor;
• Tolerant to working outdoors in inclement weather and other environmental factors;
• Must be punctual and responsible;
• Proof of High School diploma or GED;
• Valid Driver’s License that must be maintained for the duration of employment, with a clean driving record;
• State of Illinois resident, and documentation that provides proof of residency;
• Willingness to work in all neighborhoods of Chicago and surrounding communities;
• Mobile phone for a means of reliable communication;
• Flexibility to work additional hours, evenings and weekends;
• Pass all drug and alcohol screens as required by company policy, and if applicable, required by Department of Transportation regulations.

Job Expectations:

• Demonstrate a genuine interest to learn, while progressing in skills and qualifications through active participation in on-the-job training (OJT) and classroom learning;
• Complete program hour requirements and objectives while demonstrating an understanding of content learned;
• Comfortable learning tree climbing techniques, using climbing equipment and ascending/descending >40 ft. trees;
• Safely operate and maintain trucks and equipment;
• Meeting, working with, and leading groups of volunteers;
• Work as a team and communicate well with other crew members;
• Responsibly carry out job assignments and duties;
• Effectively and efficiently follow directions from supervisors;  
• Maintain a positive and open-minded attitude

Completed applications need to be submitted by Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 11:59pm to be considered for the next step in the hiring process.  

You can save your application and edit it at any time, however only submitted applications will be considered.  

We encourage you to follow up with your local workforce agency like Chicago Federation of Labor, who can help with support services to attain a GED or a Drivers License. If you are under 18, please try us again when you turn 18 years old.

We hope you will also look at other programs that you may benefit from including: Openlands TreeKeepers Certification, Greencorps, Student Conservation Association & FPCC Conservation Corps.

If you have any further questions, please reach out to us at apprenticeship@openlands.org. Thank you again for your interest!

-The Openlands Forestry Team

A candidate's application will be scored using a point system that evaluates the following:

• Essay question responses
• Prior work experience (if applicable). 
• Prior education or training (if applicable)

Competitive applicants will provide thoughtful answers to each essay question, and submit the required documentation for prior work experience and education/training (if applicable).   

Please review the hiring schedule to ensure you understand all steps required for candidate consideration.  

• Submit completed application by February 8, 2026.
• Attend an in-person interview with Openlands staff February 17-19.  

Candidates who are unable to attend their interview in-person will not be considered for the position.  

Additionally, candidates who are selected for the program will need to complete a physical thru Concentra prior to the start date of March 16. 

You are being asked to go back to Section 2 and review your answers.  The questions in Section 2 are program requirements, and if you are unable to meet those requirements, we cannot consider you as a candidate at this time.  

Candidates need to be able to work the hours indicated, work in all environmental & site conditions, and perform physical job duties.  

You are being asked to go back to Section 3 and review your answers.  It is important that applicants are willing and able to complete the program curriculum, commit to the 3-year program, and show an interest to become a certified arborist.   

If your answer is "no" to any questions in Section 3, we cannot consider you as a candidate at this time.  

Applicants who have previous experience working in the conservation field are eligible to submit this experience for the Arborist Registered Apprenticeship program.  If selected for the program, the competencies and hours completed at a previous employer can be added to an apprentice’s progress in the 3-year program.  

Previous experience can include (but is not limited to): 

• Urban forestry work (planting, watering, mulching & pruning trees) 
• Ecological restoration (applying herbicides, operating chainsaws) 
• Landscaping (fertizer treatments, planting, mulching)

Please review and submit the below form with any prior work experience you have obtained.  Your previous employer will be required to sign off each category and verify the form is accurate. 

Applicants who have previous training or education in conservation are eligible to submit this Related Technical Instruction (RTI) for the Arborist Registered Apprenticeship program. If selected for the program, the RTI hours completed at a previous employer, industry recognized training provider, or higher educational instituation can be added to an apprentice’s progress in the 3-year program. 

Previous education or training can include (but is not limited to): 

• Openlands TreeKeeper Certification Course
• Training provided through previous employment
• Relevant college courses
• Other credentials or certifications (First Aid/CPR, IL Pesticide License, etc.)

Please review and submit the below form with any prior education or training you have obtained.  The instructor or training provider will be required to sign off each category and verify the form is accurate.