2026 UK Graduate Arboriculturist

job description

At Mott MacDonald, we are proud to be one of the world’s largest employee-owned consultancies, dedicated to delivering sustainable infrastructure across 150 countries. We foster a culture where ambition meets action, and our global multidisciplinary teams work together to solve the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges. By joining us, you become part of an organization that values authenticity, invests deeply in early-career development, and empowers you to shape a career that leaves a lasting, positive legacy on society and the natural world.

About the Role

As a Graduate Arboriculturist, you will play a pivotal role in protecting natural assets and enhancing biodiversity within some of the UK’s most significant infrastructure projects. This is a collaborative, multidisciplinary position where you will work alongside ecologists, landscape architects, and engineers to ensure that trees are championed throughout the design and construction process. From conducting specialized surveys to utilizing cutting-edge AI for disease identification, you will be supported by expert mentors and a structured three-year development program. We are looking for motivated graduates who are eager to apply their technical knowledge in a practical, high-impact environment, ensuring that resilient landscapes and sustainable development go hand-in-hand.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Tree Surveys & Assessments – Conduct BS5837:2012 surveys for infrastructure projects of all scales, from local enhancements to major national schemes.

• Technical Reporting – Prepare arboricultural method statements, scoping assessments, health and safety reports, and veteran tree assessments.

• Ecological Collaboration – Support protected species surveys, including tree climbing for bat inspections, in partnership with our ecology team.

• Design & Protection – Advise on statutory designations (e.g. TPOs, Conservation Areas, Ancient Woodland), and design bespoke tree protection measures.

• Site Supervision – Oversee contractors on-site to ensure tree protection is upheld throughout project delivery.

• Interdisciplinary Engagement – Collaborate with landscape, heritage, environmental management, and engineering teams to embed tree protection into project design.

• Professional Development – Refine your report writing and technical skills with support from experienced mentors and training programmes.

Candidate Specification

• Less than 12 months relevant experience (excluding placements).

• Have a degree (obtained no earlier than 2024) or are expected to achieve one in:

  • Arboriculture or Forestry

  • A related environmental discipline (ecology, environmental management or similar) with demonstrated arboricultural experience.

• Proactively takes initiative to complete tasks efficiently and independently.

• Communicates effectively and clearly with clients and colleagues.

• Delivers high quality written work with strong attention to detail and clarity.

• Demonstrates a structured and analytical approach to problem solving.

Role & Program Overview