2026 UK Graduate Arboriculturist Career Path

Mott Macdonald

The Role

Overview

Graduate delivering tree surveys, design and protection for infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities

  • tree surveys
  • technical reporting
  • site supervision
  • technical lead
  • design protection
  • team collaboration

Tasks

-Ecological Collaboration - Support protected species surveys, including tree climbing for bat inspections, in partnership with our ecology team. -Technical Reporting - Prepare arboricultural method statements, scoping assessments, health and safety reports, and veteran tree assessments. -East West Rail – Arboricultural technical leads coordinating survey and assessment work. -Tree Surveys & Assessments - Conduct BS5837:2012 surveys for infrastructure projects of all scales, from local enhancements to major national schemes. -HS2 – Leading the arboriculture and tree protection on the UK’s largest infrastructure project. -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. -Design & Protection - Advise on statutory designations (e.g. TPOs, Conservation Areas, Ancient Woodland), and design bespoke tree protection measures.

Requirements

  • ai
  • machine learning
  • analytical
  • communication
  • degree
  • proactive

What You Bring

-Ash Dieback– novel application of AI to identify and assess ash dieback disease nationwide with driven camera surveys and machine learning. -Demonstrates a structured and analytical approach to problem solving. -Delivers high quality written work with strong attention to detail and clarity. -Communicates effectively and clearly with clients and colleagues. -Professional Development - Refine your report writing and technical skills with support from experienced mentors and training programmes. -Proactively takes initiative to complete tasks efficiently and independently. -Degree in a related environmental discipline (ecology, environmental management or similar) and can demonstrate experience within the arboricultural sector.

Benefits

-A competitive salary: in addition to biannual reviews, we will ensure that you’re given a salary that matches the current industry standard. -A flexible benefits scheme: our company is made up of a range of different people and we understand that different people want different things. That’s why with our flexible plan, you’ll have the ability to manage the range of benefits we have on offer, to suit your specific needs. -Biannual salary reviews: we believe that hard work should be rewarded and recognised. Therefore, for the first three years of your career with us, you’ll have biannual salary reviews. -Contributory pension up to 7% of your salary: we have the best people on our team, and we like to look out for them. With our support, you’ll have all the advice and options you need to be able to invest in your future.

The Company

About Mott Macdonald

-Delivering complex projects that require both technical expertise and strategic vision. -Design of major infrastructure and transport systems. -Specializing in sustainable solutions to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities. -History built on innovation and forward-thinking engineering, consistently delivering impactful results.

Sector Specialisms

Engineering

Architecture

Bridges

Building services

Building structures

Dams and reservoirs

Geotechnics

Industrialized design and construction

Transportation

Energy

Water

Buildings

Infrastructure

Systems engineering and assurance

Container terminal sector

Marine

Utilities

Heavy Civil

Commercial

Residential

Government

Visa Sponsorship

-no skilled worker visa sponsorship is offered. -applications requiring sponsorship (graduate visa or other time‑limited visas) are not accepted; only candidates with alternative routes not needing sponsorship may apply.