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, giving you the skills, experience, and opportunities to become a future leader within the Environment Agency.
What you can expect
* Diverse Placements: 6-12 month rotations across a wide range of teams, from asset management to strategic planning and site supervision. You will work 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, including geotechnics, hydraulics, and project management, to help you become an effective intelligent client.
* Learning & Development: Accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), with guidance toward Incorporated (IEng) and Chartered (CEng) status.
The Environment Agency is committed to inclusivity, flexible work arrangements, and a diverse environment where every voice is heard and valued.
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. 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.
Role details
* Pay and progression: Candidates with a BEng join on Graduate Engineer Pay Step 2 (£31,452); candidates with an MEng (or equivalent) join on Pay Step 3 (£32,237).
* Travel: Some travel is required to access flood defence assets, development events, and team meetings.
* Hybrid working: Graduate Engineers learn from others in the office and on site, with hybrid working arrangements.
* Eligibility and status: If applying from the Civil Service, Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of appointment. For questions on status, contact your HR team.
* Disability inclusion: Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability whose application meets minimum criteria.
Additional information
Shortlisting will take place in January 2026 with interviews in February/March 2026. Successful candidates start in September 2026. Some vacancies may include roles in London and other locations.
Contact: gradengineers@environment-agency.gov.uk for questions about the scheme.
Qualifications and Competencies
Competence 1 – Achieves Results: Give a specific example of a piece of work you have delivered, describing how you prioritised workload and managed setbacks to meet the deadline.
Competence 2 – Works in Teams: Describe how you built relationships with a new team and worked effectively to achieve a challenging goal.
Competence 3 – Environmental Awareness: Provide an example of an engineering project considering environmental impact, how issues were identified, and actions taken. Preferably from university or work experience; local flood defence experience is also acceptable.
Competence 4 – Uses Initiative: Give an example of identifying an opportunity for improvement and leading change.
Role-specific notes
* Full UK driving license within 6 months of starting the role.
Seniority level
* Internship
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Engineering and Information Technology
We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns, including job sharing. We encourage applicants to indicate preferred working arrangements on their application.
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