2026 UK Graduate Arboriculturist in Leeds

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, 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. To be eligible for this opportunity you will have less than 12 months relevant experience (excluding placements) and hold a degree or be 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 seek to demonstrate your genuine interest in both the opportunity and in joining Mott MacDonald 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 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.

About Your Development

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.

Benefits

• Biannual salary reviews – we believe that hard work should be rewarded and recognised.
• 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.
• A flexible benefits scheme – our company is made up of a range of different people and we understand that different people want different things.

Our Social Side

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.

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.

Agile Working

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.

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.