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CAREERS
Nicholsons was founded over 40 years ago and has grown to form a community of passionate and professional consultants and contractors, delivering expert advice and quality results in garden and landscape design, forestry and woodland and tree management, ecology and biodiversity net gain, environmental planning, soil science and plant trade.
At our site in North Aston, we are also proud to offer expert horticultural advice and complimentary consultancy, as well as excellent dining experiences in our Michelin Guide recommended restaurant, The Yurt.
Working hours are 7.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, unless otherwise specified. Nicholsons offers a competitive rate of pay, depending on experience and qualifications, and is proactive in providing training to aid career progression. Uniform, PPE and tools are provided, where applicable. We also offer a number of benefits that can be viewed through the button below. These may vary slightly depending on your role.
Continued growth and new opportunities mean that Nicholsons is regularly seeking fresh recruits to join the workforce. At present, we have the following vacancies – see below.
At Nicholsons we are proud of our team – why not join us?
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Consultancy
Contracting
Current Job Vacancies
Click on each of the tabs below to read about the corresponding job vacancy.
Consultancy
Principal/Associate Ecological Consultant
Location: North Aston, Oxfordshire, or Corby, Northamptonshire
40 hrs per week, Monday to Friday | Salary £45,000 – £60,000 as well as a company vehicle
Flexible working arrangements | Training, development & industry representation
As part of our continued growth, we are looking for a friendly and enthusiastic Principal Ecological Consultant to support the ecology team with the delivery of client projects, providing a technical and professional lead in all aspects of work. Promoting opportunities for training and development across the team through mentorship and inclusion will be key, as well as supporting the wider company in encouraging cross team interaction and knowledge sharing.
This position can be situated at either our Oxfordshire or Northamptonshire office.
We offer a competitive basic salary plus an excellent benefits package of pension, training, uniform and boot allowance plus flexible working opportunities. A full time role would be 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
A full UK driving licence would be necessary.
Click here to view the full job description.
Senior/Principal Arboricultural Consultant
Location: North Aston, Oxfordshire, or Corby, Northamptonshire
This position is designed for someone wishing to take a lead in the development of Nicholsons arboricultural services and business. This will include integration with a wider team, working closely with the directors and other practitioners who are currently discharging instructions on landscaping, green infrastructure, ecology and forestry.
Key responsibilities include:
- Discharging professional instructions and managing additional resources where needed such as sub consultants and support staff.
- Assisting & giving advice on a wide-range of tree related tasks, providing high levels of service to our existing & new clients & current key instructions.
- Addressing issues with regards to trees on development sites through BS:5837, tree assessments, design guidance, planning support & implementation works, retain tree protection & mitigation schemes etc.
- Working with the wider team at Nicholsons in order to support development projects.
- Engage with the board and senior management team in respect of business strategy, marketing and innovations for new work streams.
- Tree risk management: Preparing management strategies, policies, tree surveys, recommendations for remedial works.
- Trees and the law: Advising on TPOs & Conservation Areas, boundary trees & dispute resolution.
This is a day-time position, 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
A full UK drivers licence is required for the role.
Click here to download the full job specification and benefits package.
Senior Woodland Manager
Location: 7-8 Melbourne House, Corbygate Business Park, Weldon, Northamptonshire, NN17 5JG
Are you an experienced forester seeking new challenges? We are looking for Senior Woodland Manager to join the Corby branch of our Woodland Management Division. You will be welcomed into a friendly team with a wide breadth of experience and specialist interests. There is great potential for you to utilise your skills and experience by contributing to both team and business development and supporting a highly varied and interesting client base. Working alongside other seniors in the woodland management team, you will take the immediate lead on new and existing instructions, undertake line management, mentoring and coaching of less experienced foresters and look to secure new instructions.
- Developing the Forestry division, delivering comprehensive services that exceed client expectations.
- Managing some of the finest lowland forestry estates in the country.
- Assessing, pricing, planning and executing forestry contracts and management services, obtaining necessary permissions.
- Preparing management plans, securing grant aid and overseeing the day-to-day management of clients’ woodlands.
- Collaborating with colleagues to identify new opportunities for woodland owners, such as agroforestry, carbon initiatives and Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF).
- Fostering employee development within the division, providing guidance and support to nurture their potential.
Click here to download the full job specification and benefits package.
Woodland Manager
Location: 7-8 Melbourne House, Corbygate Business Park, Weldon, Northamptonshire, NN17 5JG
As we continue to expand our forestry operations and unique service offer, we recognise the need for a skilled and experienced Woodland Manager to work alongside and under the guidance of our dynamic senior forestry and land management team.
As a Woodland Manager you will be responsible for:
- Conducting assessments, pricing, planning, and execution of forestry contracts.
- Developing comprehensive management plans for clients’ woodlands.
- Applying for and negotiating grant applications.
- Timber marketing.
- Providing clear instructions and briefings to contractors and staff for efficient operations.
- Conducting thorough health and safety audits on site to ensure compliance.
- Driving specific business development initiatives for the division, as required.
- Securing relevant permissions, such as felling licences and permits, for work activities.
- Collaborating with colleagues to offer expert advice on emerging opportunities for woodland owners, including agroforestry, carbon initiatives and Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF).
Click here to download the full job specification and benefits package.
Senior Ecological Consultant
Location: North Aston, Oxfordshire, OX25 6HL or Corby, Northamptonshire, NN17 5JG
Salary £35,000 – £40,000 dependent on experience
As part of our continued growth we are looking for a friendly and enthusiastic Senior Ecological Consultant to join our ecology team at either our North Aston or Corby offices.
This role provides the opportunity to develop your experience of providing specialist ecological input on a variety of projects whilst supporting the wider team with advice on ecological surveys, strategies and mitigation. We are increasingly working with a non-development client base and therefore, a wider understanding on environmental net gain and land management is key. You will have the opportunity to line manage other team members and be expected to assist in the delivery of training and mentorship of junior members of staff.
We offer a competitive basic salary plus an excellent benefits package of pension, training, uniform and boot allowance plus flexible working opportunities. A full time role would be 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. A full UK driving licence would be necessary.
Click here to download the full job specification and benefits package.
Arboricultural Surveyor
Location: 7-8 Melbourne House, Corbygate Business Park, Weldon, Northamptonshire, NN17 5JG
We are looking for an Arboricultural Surveyor to help our Senior Arb Consultant undertake tree condition and other arboricultural surveys.
The successful candidate will be able to:
- organise and undertake tree surveys and site inspections, to a high standard.
- be able to identify and record potential Arb hazards, safety issues and necessary works as required.
- prepare and write inspection reports, updating maps and preparing schedules of arboricultural works as required.
- Undertake BS5837 surveys and reports.
The role requires someone who is organised, methodical, can work alone on sites collecting data and then in the office inputting data, has good computer and technical skills to enable them to collect the necessary information accurately and in a timely fashion.
This is a full-time position, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm.
Click here to download the full job specification and benefits package.
Contracting
Climbing Arborist
Location: North Aston, Oxfordshire, OX25 6HL
We currently have a vacancy for a full-time climbing arborist with a minimum of two years’ experience in the industry. The position would suit a highly motivated, hardworking and enthusiastic individual looking to develop a career in arboriculture. Applicants need to be able to work in a team and would need to be comfortable communicating clearly with colleagues, ensuring a high standard of professionalism is always maintained.
Applicants will need to have the relevant NPTC qualifications (i.e: CS 30, 31,32, 38, and 39), be able to demonstrate safe and competent climbing and working practices and have a full UK driving licence, ideally with towing experience. Ideal but not essential would be a certificate of competence in Brushwood Chipper Operations.
In return, you will work very much as part of a close knit team and will be put forward for relevant training to help you progress in your arboricultural work.
Experienced Gardener
Location: North Aston, Oxfordshire, OX25 6HL
We are seeking experienced gardeners to join our professional team. Applicants should be self-motivated and capable of hard physical work with a good knowledge of gardening practices and plant knowledge. All applicants must be enthusiastic, able to communicate well and have a good client interface. Full, clean driving licence required.
This position is ideally full-time, Monday to Friday 7.30am to 4.30pm.
Salary will depend on experience.
Job Types: Part-time, Full-time
Expected hours: 40 per week
Plants Sales
Plant Area Supervisor
Location: North Aston, Oxfordshire, OX25 6HL
We are seeking an experienced Plant Area Supervisor to join our team in the Plant Centre here at Nicholsons. We offer a friendly, supportive, and inclusive environment and are seeking a candidate to bring their plant knowledge and passion to the team.
The job involves:
- Responsibility for the Plants department assisting the Retail Manager with the day-to-day running, including plant offering/range, care of stock and displays.
- Being commercial in outlook.
- Being involved in the planning & management of the plant team.
- Liaising with the plant buyer on weekly stock intake.
- Overseeing and running the department in the Manager’s absence.
- Dealing with customer enquiries and taking payment for customer home plant deliveries.
- General housekeeping of the department and to include the cultural care of the plants.
Skills and experience required:
- Previous experience in supervising a team.
- You are enthusiastic and approachable.
- Have experience in customer service skills.
- Plant knowledge.
- Computer skills for administration work.
- Ideally have at least 3 years’ experience working within the horticultural industry.
- Ideally have a driving licence due to our remote location.
This position is for five days a week (Monday to Saturday) but must include Saturdays. Hours of work will be 7.30am to 4.30pm with an hour’s break during the day.
The Yurt
Front of House Assistant
Location: North Aston, OX25 6HL
Our Michelin Guide listed restaurant set in the rural and leafy village of North Aston is seeking to recruit an Assistant to work in our Yurt. The beautiful 40ft Yurt restaurant, is set in the tree nursery at Nicholsons, 30 minutes north of Oxford.
As an Assistant your responsibilities will include looking after customers, through assisting in the preparation of drinks, liaising with kitchen to provide smooth table service, and to keep the restaurant clean and tidy. A ‘can do’ approach, excellent spoken English and a friendly manner are all necessary too. Previous experience will of course be considered, so do tell us about that, especially if you are Barista trained.
This is predominantly a day-time position, 40 hours per week (full-time), approximately 8am until 5pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays, with very occasional evening events. Your own transport is essential due to our remote location.
Administrative Teams and Central Services
Receptionist & Administrator
Location: North Aston, Oxfordshire, OX25 6HL
We are looking for someone who can provide receptionist and administrative support in our North Aston office, Monday to Friday from 10am to 2pm.
Duties will include:
- Answering the telephone and co-ordinating telephone cover.
- Passing on messages quickly and efficiently.
- Providing a warm, professional and welcome reception to all visitors.
- Housekeeping duties such as ordering supplies, keeping reception area tidy etc.
- Opening mail and occasionally taking larger post items to the Post Office.
- Troubleshooting printer issues and maintaining printer and stationery supplies.
- Supporting other staff with administrative tasks.
The successful applicant will be friendly, efficient, and have an excellent telephone manner. A good knowledge of Microsoft Office and computer skills will be necessary and, due to our remote location, you will need transport to get to work.
Wage will be from National Minimum Wage up to £12.50 per hour, depending on experience.