Job Description
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 Agency.
You can expect:
* Diverse Placements: With 6‑12 month rotations across a wide range of teams, you’ll work on everything from asset management to strategic planning and site supervision, gaining a holistic understanding of flood defence engineering projects and collaborating with specialists in modelling, natural flood management, fisheries, and health and safety.
* Flexible Pathways: Your journey is tailored to your interests and development needs. If you are drawn toward geotechnics, hydraulics, or project logistics, we can design the right combination of learning opportunities to help you 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 are fully committed to inclusivity and reflecting the communities we serve, offering flexible work arrangements for all our vacancies. Join us in a diverse environment where every voice is heard and valued.
The Team
The strength of our Engineering Graduate Training Scheme lies in its extensive support networks, with a dedicated team of Professional Development Advisors coordinating a large community of Supervising Civil Engineers, Delegated Engineers, Career Mentors, and wider peer support groups, all committed to nurturing engineering talent and facilitating a busy calendar of collaborative learning opportunities.
Experience / Skills Required
We’re looking for proactive, adaptable graduates who are inquisitive and self‑motivated. 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 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 ICE as satisfying the academic requirements of becoming either an Incorporated or Chartered Engineer.
Please check the eligibility of both your BEng and Masters qualifications before applying – ICE 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; we offer hybrid working arrangements. Some travel is required to access our flood defence assets, development events, and team meetings. All candidates are required to undertake training and participate in incident response duties to support communities and prevent harm to the environment.
Further information can be found within your candidate pack.
Candidates with a BEng qualification will join us on Graduate Engineer Pay Step 2 (£31,452) and those with an MEng (or equivalent) 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.
Competence
Competence 1 – Achieves Results
Giving a specific example of a piece of work you have delivered, describe how you prioritised your workload and managed any setbacks to meet the final deadline.
Competence 2 – Works in Teams
Give an example 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 impact of the activity on the environment. How were the environmental issues 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.
Additional Information
Successful candidates are required to hold or acquire a full UK driving licence within 6 months of starting the role.
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, and have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability. For more details, please review the Employer’s Policy on Disability.
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