Principal Arboricultural Consultant

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Job Description

Start here. Grow here.   

Are you ready to join a supportive team of talented Arboriculturists and Foresters and shape the future of the environment? 

Join our dynamic Nature team as a Principal Arboricultural Consultant  in our Leeds, Bristol, Basingstoke, Cambridge and Croydon offices (other locations across the UK may be considered).

The award winning team works on a huge range of projects of all scales, recent examples including extensive BS5837 surveys in Cork, Ireland, forestry assessments in the Scottish Highlands, tree condition surveys in Manchester, providing technical advice for projects in the Middle East and veteran tree assessments in London.

At AECOM there is great potential for personal and career development. The Arboriculture and Forestry Team includes a wide range of grades including: Consultants, Senior Consultants, Principal Consultants, Associate Directors and Technical Directors. We are embedded within a wider Nature team which includes experts in ecology, BNG and natural capital.

In this role, depending on your interests and skillset, you will have opportunities to support on a variety of areas such as: Tree Climbing, Tree Condition Surveys, BS5837 Surveys, Arboricultural Impact Assessments, Arboricultural Method Statements, Forestry, Woodland Management, Tree Planting, Tree Valuation, Canopy Cover Assessments and Biodiversity Net Gain. Our supportive environment offers both internal and external training opportunities within a nurturing, mentoring and coaching framework.

Here’s what you’ll do:  

• Organise, oversee and undertake tree surveys for planning purposes and to assess tree condition
• Prepare and review arboricultural reports to BS 5837:2012, Arboricultural Impact Assessments (AIA) and Arboricultural Method Statements (AMS)
• Preparing and reviewing Tree Condition Reports 
• Providing expert technical arboricultural advice and support for both internal and external teams and clients.
• Act as an expert witness for planning appeals, DCO examinations or equivalent.
• Working independently or with other arboricultural and environmental professionals, in the planning, delivery and management of arboricultural services, potentially including line management and project management
• Organise and undertake arboricultural site monitoring and supervision works to discharge planning conditions
• Contribute to developing the business, bidding and client engagement.

If you're passionate about innovation and turning bold ideas into reality, AECOM welcomes you.

Come grow with us.  

Become part of our dynamic Nature business, which boasts around 250 professional experts on arboriculture, forestry, ground water, surface water and ecology. The team includes national and global leaders located across the UK&I. At AECOM, you’ll thrive in an inclusive and forward-thinking environment where your contributions are valued. 

And let's not forget about the perks at AECOM. You'll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well-being, customised to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work-life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days. 

Graduate opportunities are also available. Please follow the link to find out more:

Qualifications

Here’s what we’re looking for:  

• Expert knowledge of arboricultural principles, including a comprehensive understanding of BS5837:2012, BS8545:2014 and BS3998:2010
• Expertise in tree identification, inspection, condition assessment and necessary management options
• Technicians Certificate in Arboriculture (or equivalent Level 3/4 qualification) or higher combined with substantial demonstrable experience
• Expert knowledge of relevant UK legislation, best practice and policy relating to arboriculture
• To attend remote sites, a full clean UK driving licence is essential

We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. If you are an applicant with a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us at View email address on jobs.smartrecruiters.com. At AECOM, we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives. 

If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you! 

Additional Information

Interested in the role or curious about life at AECOM? Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to explore our AECOM voices, employee stories, latest projects, and much more! 

For further information about the role, reach out to the recruiter on LinkedIn (Melissa Moody). 

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long-term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please let us know using this email address  View email address on jobs.smartrecruiters.com if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.