2026 UK Graduate Arboriculturist Career Path in Birmingham

Birmingham, United Kingdom / Leeds, United Kingdom / Manchester, United Kingdom

Before making an application, please browse all graduate opportunities available as we will only accept one application per candidate. Once you have made an application you will not be able to make changes to your selection or make a new application. The exception is if we open new vacancies in the new year. To avoid missing out on your preferred role, we recommend applying as early as possible, as positions will close once filled.

Turn your ambition into action - apply now and shape your future with us.

Job Description: Champion biodiversity. Shape resilient environments. Make a lasting impact. At Mott MacDonald, we're proud to be one of the largest employee‐owned companies in the world, delivering sustainable infrastructure and development solutions across 150 countries. Our Arboriculture team plays a vital role in protecting natural assets and enhancing the environmental value of infrastructure projects—both in the UK and globally.

As a Graduate Arboriculturist, you'll be part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment team, working on projects that range from bespoke designs to nationally significant infrastructure. You'll be supported to grow, empowered to contribute, and inspired to make a real difference to people and the planet.

What You'll Be Doing

You'll work alongside ecologists, landscape architects, engineers, and environmental specialists to deliver arboricultural services that protect trees and promote biodiversity. Your responsibilities may include:

• 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.

Some of our current major projects and clients include:

• HS2 – Leading the arboriculture and tree protection on the UK's largest infrastructure project.
• East West Rail – Arboricultural technical leads coordinating survey and assessment work.
• Ash Dieback– novel application of AI to identify and assess ash dieback disease nationwide with driven camera surveys and machine learning.
• National Highways – BS5837:2012 surveys to support nationally significant road projects including A428 Blackcat to Gibbet, A303 Stonehenge and Lower Thames Crossing.
• Environment Agency – a variety of projects from habitat creation to flood alleviation including Hebden Bridge Flood Alleviation Scheme and Five Rivers.
• Numerous water companies – including support for Thames Water, Southern Water, Scottish Water, Welsh Water, Wessex and United Utilities in protecting the environment.
• Network Rail – Longstanding and trusted relationship nationally.
• Numerous Local Authorities – providing a broad range of environmental services.

Candidate Specification

We are looking for committed and motivated graduates with a genuine passion and a desire to make a difference in the world. If this describes you, apply today to launch your career at Mott MacDonald.

To be eligible for this opportunity, you will have less than 12 months relevant experience (excluding placements), have a degree or are expected to achieve one of the following degree disciplines:

• Arboriculture or Forestry
• Degree in a related environmental discipline (ecology, environmental management or similar) and can demonstrate experience within the arboricultural sector.

In your application, you should aim to demonstrate your genuine interest in both the opportunity and in joining Mott MacDonald. You can do this by highlighting any relevant experience or interests - such as modules you've studied, previous work experience, or any research you've undertaken about our company, values, and projects.

We personally review every completed application form we receive as this part of our selection process is entirely human led, we do not use AI tools at this stage and kindly expect you not to either. We want you to answer each application question with authenticity so we can get to know the real you. Joining us as a graduate is your opportunity to shape your own story.

We are looking for graduates with the following strengths:

• 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.

As we want the best people for the role, we support flexible working. Please ask us at interview stage about any flexibility you may need.

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024.

Our ethos is to develop, train and retain our graduates and therefore we are looking for a long‐term relationship with our graduates. For this reason, we cannot accept applications from candidates who would be working under the Graduate visa route or other time‐limited visas, (irrespective of visa duration), due to their temporary nature and the requirement for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route in future.

We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

A graduate position should be more than just a job. We know this and so do you. That's why with our graduate roles we aim to give you the experience and technical knowledge you need to progress your career. From the moment you join us, you'll receive the training you need. You will be assigned a mentor, who will guide you to meet the objectives of your professional training needs. You will join our three‐year early careers soft skills development programme – Accelerating your Future, which is designed to give you the skills and tools necessary for a long‐lasting successful career here at Mott MacDonald.

You will have the opportunity to make a difference; learn more about Our Purpose and the difference we can make!

You're probably wondering what else is on offer. Join us, and you'll get:

• 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.
• A competitive salary: in addition to biannual reviews, we will ensure that you're given a salary that matches the current industry standard.
• 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.
• 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.

Being part of Mott MacDonald means more than just work; there's a huge range of fun and exciting things that you can get involved in. From the moment you join us, you'll have the opportunity to expand your social and professional network, whether it's meeting other graduates or joining forces with other members of staff from around the company at our annual sports day. Each of our offices has a sports and social committee which will give you the chance to be part of a variety of sports, social and charity events. We're committed to promoting a strong culture of social responsibility and encourage our staff to play active roles in the local community.

It's worth noting that sports and social committees tend to vary from office to office, so as well as getting involved in what's already on offer, don't be afraid to suggest new events or initiatives that you think could be a great addition. It doesn't stop there. As well as events, you'll also have access to discounts on cinema tickets, travel, fashion, utilities and much more as part of our company benefits which you can take advantage of the moment you join.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute.

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team and personal commitments. We embrace agility, flexibility and trust.

More about Mott MacDonald

We're a global engineering, management and development consultancy. Our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do, relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients' businesses, our communities and employee opportunities. A fundamental part of this is respecting each person's differences and striving to meet their needs.

Our values: progress, respect, integrity, drive, excellence.