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.

CONSULTANT ECOLOGIST

Location:  Corby Office: Weldon, Northamptonshire, NN17 5JG

We are currently recruiting for a friendly and enthusiastic Consultant Ecologist to join our ecology team based in our Corby office.

This role provides the opportunity to develop your experience and skills in ecological surveying, species licensing and mitigation as well as project management, whilst supporting the wider team with all aspects of survey work, including report writing and delivery of client projects.  You will have a passion for the environment and sustainability with a view to providing solutions to get the best for biodiversity.

We are increasingly working with a non-development client base and therefore, a wider understanding on environmental net gain and land management is useful.  If you have an interest in plants and or field botany, this would be an added advantage. This position would suit those with a degree in ecology, biology, botany, applied plant science, or equivalent.

We offer a competitive salary plus an excellent benefits package which includes pension, training, professional qualification support, 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.

We love what we do, come and join our friendly team.

THE YURT – Front of House Manager

Location: North Aston, Oxfordshire, UK

A wonderful opportunity has arisen for a Front of House Manager to join our Michelin Guide listed restaurant which also has an AA Rosette for it’s culinary excellence.   The beautiful 40ft Yurt Café, where delicious food is created daily, is set in the tree nursery at Nicholsons in the leafy village of North Aston, 30 minutes north of Oxford.

As Manager, you will oversee the customer experience in The Yurt.  Responsibilities will include:

• looking after clients through meeting and greeting, with a huge generosity of spirit making the experience high-quality, unique and memorable
• managing the front of house team including recruitment, training, organising rotas
• liaising with the kitchen team clearly and efficiently to provide smooth table service
• preparing drinks, taking orders, serving, clearing tables and till work
• addressing customer queries
• ordering supplies
• keeping the restaurant clean and tidy
• managing occasional evening events.

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.

In return, you will be part of our larger team here at Nicholsons and will be offered training opportunities to build your skills where necessary.

We offer attractive day time hours: 40 hours per week, approximately 8am until 5pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays, with very occasional evening events.  Your own transport is essential due to our remote location.

THE YURT – Front of House Assistant

Location: North Aston, Oxfordshire, UK

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 Café, 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 a day-time position, approximately 8am until 5pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays, with very occasional evening events.  Your own transport is essential due to our remote location.

ASSISTANT ARB SURVEYOR

Location: North Aston, OX25 6HL 

We are looking for an Assistant Arb 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.
• Assist with and 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 7.30am to 4.30pm

EXPERIENCED GARDENER

Location: North Aston, OX25 6HL 

We are seeking an experienced gardener to join our professional team. Applicants should be self-motivated and capable of hard physical work with an excellent knowledge of gardening practices and plants as you will be responsible for all aspects of the garden.  You will often be working independently within our client’s gardens.  Applicants must be enthusiastic, able to communicate well and have a good client interface.  A full, driving licence is required and trailing experience would be beneficial.

In return you will be part of a great team, where you will be able to bounce ideas off each other and build on your knowledge through regular training sessions.  Tools will be provided as will a van if appropriate.

This position is ideally full-time, Monday to Friday 7.30am to 4.30pm.

KITCHEN PORTER at the YURT – Part-time

Location: North Aston, Oxfordshire, UK

We are looking to recruit a Kitchen Porter in our Yurt at Nicholsons, our Michelin Guide listed restaurant.  The purpose of the job is to keep the service flowing in the café with duties such as washing up, loading the dishwasher, clearing tables, cleaning and, when appropriate, helping the chefs.

The successful applicant will be hardworking, cheerful, efficient and willing to help and work in a team. No previous training necessary.

This position is for Tuesdays to Saturdays and will be from 10am to 4.30pm, with appropriate breaks during the day.

Nicholsons is an award winning company based in leafy North Oxfordshire. The successful candidate would ideally need to hold a full clean driving licence as there is limited public transport.

SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL LAND MANAGER

Location: Corby Office

The role will be suitable for a land management advisor with broad experience across the land management, green infrastructure, natural capital, and planning disciplines.  The key requirement will be an overarching understanding that will enable the individual to support, and project manage our specialist staff across the land management, forestry, ecology, arboriculture, soils, and landscape disciplines.

Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate experience of oversight of complex and wide-ranging environmental land management focussed projects.

You would require an understanding of ecology, woodland management, soil science, land use policies and regulations, agricultural practices and land management grant funding opportunities.  An understanding of the emerging marketplace for ecosystems services would also be beneficial.

Main responsibilities: –

The role will include the following: Identifying and developing strategies to support landowners, developers, planners, land agents and other property professionals to better understand opportunities within the green infrastructure, natural capital and environmental land management space.

• Work with Board, Principals and Divisional Leads to identify opportunities to widen instructions and service offer in the environmental space.
• Identification of suitable tender opportunities within the environmental space. Preparation of tender bids and coordination of inputs from the Divisional technical teams.
• Develop service offer to support farmers and landowners through Countryside Stewardship and emerging Environmental Land Management schemes.
• Engage with the Board and Senior Management Team in respect of business strategy, marketing and innovations for new work streams.
• Undertaking green infrastructure assessments and guiding development projects to ensure that they meet and exceed green infrastructure policies
• Develop projects through the Building with Nature[1] or other Green Infrastructure benchmarking tools.
• Supporting Divisional technical teams to develop project proposals and fee budgets for the full suite of environmental services.
• Planning and managing projects, including budgeting, scheduling, and coordinating with divisional teams, project teams, stakeholders and sub-contractors.
• Engagement with project teams and client representatives to promote and open up opportunities for wider team.
• Collaborating with other professionals, such as, planners, landscape architects, ecologists, soil scientists, land agents and policy makers, to ensure that land management practices are integrated into wider environmental policies and frameworks.

Personal Requirements:

• A degree or similar level professional qualification in environmental land management or similarly related subject.
• Proven professional experience and influence in the Environmental land management space.
• Proven experience of project management, including larger and/or more complex projects.
• Experience of managing teams and/or subcontractors.
• Proven management experience including an understanding of business, finance, business development and marketing strategies as well as analysis.

Be a full member of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or similar with external recognition of experience and understanding within the Environmental Land Management space for example through involvement on external profession forum and other associated groups.

Ideally you will have recently qualified.

This position is ideally full-time, Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm.

[1] https://www.buildingwithnature.org.uk/ training will be provided if needed

SENIOR/PRINCIPAL ARBORICULTURAL CONSULTANT

Location: North Aston, OX25 6HL or Corby, Northamptonshire, NN17 5JG

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.

SENIOR WOODLAND MANAGER

Location: 7-8 Melbourne House, Corbygate Business Park, Weldon, Northamptonshire, NN17 5JG

Are you an experienced forester seeking change and new challenges? We are looking to recruit a 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 huge potential for you to put your skills and experience to good use by contributing to both team and business development and, of course, supporting a highly varied and interesting client base. Working alongside other seniors in the woodland management team, you will take immediate lead on new and existing instructions, undertake line management, mentoring and coaching of less experienced foresters and also look to secure new instructions.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To develop the Forestry division particularly with emerging consultancy services
• To manage forestry contracts and estates within acceptable levels of risk and with the target of achieving target company profit margin.
• To assess, price, plan and execute forestry contracts and management services ensuring necessary permissions are obtained. e.g. felling licences, permits etc.
• To prepare management plans, secure grant aid and take responsibility for the day-to-day management of designated clients’ woodlands.
• To ensure and monitor client satisfaction, taking care to assist directly when issues arise
• To be responsible for the development of employees within the division.

For further information and to apply, please email rachel@nicholsonsgb.com.

SENIOR ECOLOGICAL CONSULTANT 

Location: North Aston, OX25 6HL or Weldon, Northamptonshire, NN17 5JG

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.

PRINCIPAL ECOLOGICAL CONSULTANT 

Location: North Aston, OX25 6HL or Weldon, Northamptonshire, NN17 5JG

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, by providing a technical and professional lead in all aspects of your 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.

HORTICULTURAL SALES ASSISTANT – Saturdays

Location: North Aston, OX25 6HL 

Would you like to share your horticultural knowledge with our customers and look after the lovely plants that we have in our Plant Centre?

We are looking for an enthusiastic, confident and friendly person to join our plant centre team, advising customers on the best plant choices for their gardens, caring for the plants whilst they are with us, quality checking, labelling, plant husbandry, watering, moving plants around both in the nursery and to customer vehicles, working on the tills.  The successful applicant will have previous horticultural experience or knowledge but there are still opportunities to learn and grow through training and talks that are offered through working at Nicholsons.

The role is for Saturdays and part time cover.  Work will be in all weathers.  A driving licence is recommended due to our remote location.

HORTICULTURAL SALES ASSISTANT

Location: North Aston, OX25 6HL 

Would you like to share your horticultural knowledge with our customers and look after the lovely plants that we have in our Plant Centre?

We are looking for an enthusiastic, confident and friendly person to join our plant centre team, advising customers on the best plant choices for their gardens, caring for the plants whilst they are with us, quality checking, labelling, plant husbandry, watering, moving plants around both in the nursery and to customer vehicles, working on the tills.  The successful applicant will have previous horticultural experience or knowledge but there are still opportunities to learn and grow through training and talks that are offered through working at Nicholsons.

The role is for 5 days a week (40 hours) and would include every Saturday, with one weekday off.  Work will be in all weathers.  A driving licence is recommended due to our remote location.

SOFT LANDSCAPER

Location: North Aston, OX25 6HL 

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a driven, positive, and highly motivated individual to join our skilled Soft Landscaping and Specialist teams working in some wonderful locations, mostly in Oxfordshire.

The key requirements for this role is an enthusiastic approach to learning new skills, dedication to producing exceptional results, ability to maintain a high standard of professionalism at all times and have an ability to work hard, energetically and effectively within a strong team.  Experience in areas such as plant knowledge, pruning, lawncare, site preparation, clearance work, planting, watering and machinery skills including hedge cutters and mowers are not essential but would be helpful.

The role requires hard physical work and applicants must be comfortable working outside in all conditions. A full UK drivers licence is vital.

In return, we offer training, guidance, great uniform and all the necessary PPE as well as a substantial benefits package (see above).

The position is full time, based on a 40-hour week from 7.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

At Nicholsons we are proud of our team – why not join us?