Graduate Civil Engineer – Environment Agency
As a Graduate Civil Engineer at the Environment Agency, your passion for engineering and the environment can make a real impact. Climate change is reshaping our world, and you can be at the forefront of solutions that protect communities, wildlife, and natural resources. This is your chance to launch a career that combines purpose, innovation, and real‑world impact.
Recently recognised as the highest new entrant onto The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers list, our Graduate Training Scheme is a structured, hands‑on programme spanning 4‑5 years that gives you the skills, experience, and opportunities to become future leaders within the Environment Agency.
You can expect:
* Diverse Placements: With 6‑12 month rotations across a wide range of teams throughout the organisation, you’ll work on everything from asset management to strategic planning and site supervision. This gives you a holistic understanding of flood‑defence engineering projects and enables you to collaborate with specialists in modelling, forecasting, natural flood management, national fisheries, and health and safety.
* Flexible Pathways: Your journey is tailored to your interests and development needs. Whether you are drawn to geotechnics, hydraulics, or project logistics, we can combine learning opportunities so you become a highly effective client.
* Learning & Development: Accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), our programme guides you toward Incorporated (IEng) and Chartered (CEng) status.
The Environment Agency is fully committed to inclusivity and reflects the communities we serve, offering flexible work arrangements for all vacancies. Join us in a diverse environment where every voice is heard and valued.
The team: Our Engineering Graduate Training Scheme has a dedicated team of Professional Development Advisors coordinating a large community of Supervising Civil Engineers, Delegated Engineers, Career Mentors, and peer support groups. They nurture engineering talent and facilitate a busy calendar of collaborative learning opportunities.
Experience / Skills Required
We’re looking for proactive, adaptable graduates who are inquisitive and self‑motivated in their professional development. You must be comfortable working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders and keen to make the most of the variety of opportunities our different teams offer.
Requirements:
* Graduate with an accredited BEng, or ideally an MEng degree in Civil Engineering (or equivalent). Both your degree and any masters must be accredited by the ICE to satisfy the academic requirements for becoming either an Incorporated or Chartered Engineer.
* Check the eligibility of your BEng and Masters before applying: https://www.ice.org.uk/careers-and-training/graduate-civil-engineers/course-search-tool
* Completion of the Higher Education qualifications section of the application form is required for shortlisting.
Contact: gradengineers@environment-agency.gov.uk
Hybrid working arrangements are offered; some travel to flood‑defence assets, development events, and team meetings is required. All employees must undertake training and participate in incident response duties to support communities and prevent environmental harm.
Pay: BEng holders on Graduate Engineer Pay Step 2 (£31,452); MEng holders on Pay Step 3 (£32,237). Shortlisting in January 2026 with interviews in February/ March 2026; successful candidates start September 2026.
Competence 1 – Achieves Results
Give a specific example of a piece of work you have delivered, describing how you prioritised your workload and managed setbacks to meet the final deadline.
Competence 2 – Works in Teams
Give an example of a time where you built relationships with a new team and describe how you worked effectively together to achieve a challenging common goal.
Competence 3 – Environmental Awareness
Give an example of an engineering project that considered the environmental impact of the activity. Explain how the environmental issues were identified and what actions were taken to overcome them.
Competence 4 – Uses Initiative
Give an example of when you identified an opportunity for improvement and describe the role you played in implementing change.
Role Specific License Requirements
Successful candidates are required to hold or acquire a full UK driving licence within 6 months of starting the role.
Additional Information
If you are applying from the Civil Service, please note that the Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant, so continuous service does not apply. If you are in local government or other bodies listed under the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for redundancy calculations.
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Flexible working patterns, including job share, are welcome—please include this information on your application.
We have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support candidates with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the post.
We do not engage with the market directly via post, email, or phone calls. For framework or contract opportunities, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know
Artificial intelligence can support your application, but all examples and statements must be truthful, factually accurate, and from your own experience. Plagiarism may result in withdrawal of applications and disciplinary action.
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