Overview
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. You’ll gain a holistic understanding of flood defence engineering projects and collaborate with specialists in Modelling and Forecasting, Natural Flood Management, National Fisheries Service, and Health and Safety.
* Flexible Pathways: Your journey is tailored to your interests and development needs. If you are drawn towards geotechnics and hydraulics or enjoy managing engineering projects, we can create the right learning opportunities to become a highly effective intelligent client.
* Learning & Development: Accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the programme guides you toward Incorporated (IEng) and Chartered (CEng) status.
The Environment Agency is committed to inclusivity and flexible working arrangements. Join us in a diverse environment where every voice is heard and valued.
The team
The Engineering Graduate Training Scheme is supported by Professional Development Advisors, Supervising Civil Engineers, Delegated Engineers, Career Mentors, and peer support groups, fostering engineering talent through a 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 can offer.
To join our Engineering Graduate Training Scheme, you’ll need to be a graduate with an accredited BEng or, ideally, an MEng degree in Civil Engineering (or equivalent). It’s essential that both your degree and masters are accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers as satisfying the academic requirements of becoming either an Incorporated or Chartered Engineer with the ICE.
Please check the eligibility of both your BEng and Masters qualifications before applying - https://www.ice.org.uk/careers-and-training/graduate-civil-engineers/course-search-tool
We are unable to process CVs as part of shortlisting; all candidates must fully populate the Higher Education qualifications section of the application form to allow us to confirm eligibility for the role.
Contact and additional information
If you have any questions about the scheme, please email gradengineers@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Graduate Engineers learn from others in the office and on site, with hybrid working arrangements. Some travel is required to access flood defence assets, development events and team meetings. All joiners are required to undertake training and participate in incident response duties to support communities and protect the environment. Further information is available in the candidate pack.
Salary: Candidates with a BEng qualification join on Graduate Engineer Pay Step 2 (£31,452); candidates with an MEng (or equivalent) join on Pay Step 3 (£32,237).
Shortlisting will take place in January 2026 with interviews in February/March 2026. Successful candidates start in September 2026.
Competencies
* Competence 1 — Achieves Results
Describe a piece of work you delivered, how you prioritised your workload, and how you managed setbacks to meet the final deadline.
* Competence 2 — Works in Teams
Give an example of building relationships with a new team and working together to achieve a challenging common goal.
* Competence 3 — Environmental Awareness
Provide an example of an engineering project that considered environmental impact, how issues were identified, and actions taken to address them. If possible, describe a university or work-project role; local flood defence work may also be referenced.
* Competence 4 — Uses Initiative
Give an example of identifying an opportunity for improvement and 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.
Policy and inclusion
We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. We also guarantee an interview for applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the post.
The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to value for money and uses Central Government frameworks for recruitment. For information on becoming a Crown supplier, visit the Crown Commercial Service guidance.
Artificial intelligence notice
AI can support your application, but all examples must be truthful and from your own experience. Plagiarism may lead to withdrawal of the application. See Civil Service guidance on AI usage.
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