Together we are Trusted to Serve Scotland.
Ready to own your future? At Scottish Water, our Summer InternshipProgramme empowers you to gain hands-on experience, tacklereal challenges, and contribute to shaping Scotland’s future. This is more than just a summer job –it’san opportunity to make a meaningful impact. As part of our team,you’llplay a key role in delivering essential services and infrastructure that help Scotland flourish every day.
You’llbe joining us at a fascinating time, as we transform into a more agile, innovative organisation that delivers outstanding service, providesgreat valuefor money, and works in an environmentally sustainable way that goes beyond Net Zero.
Graduating in2027? Kickstart your career with a 12-week summer placement and start building your future today.
Whatyou’lldo
As an Environmental Sustainability Intern within the Zero Emissions team,you’llbe at the forefront of Scottish Water’s ambitious mission to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. This role goes beyond theory, giving you the chance to make a measurable impact from day one.
You’llgain practical experience in reducing land-based emissions, supporting woodland creation, peatland restoration, biodiversity enhancement, and catchment management initiatives. Your work will include mapping and analysing land related data, assessing environmental conditions, andidentifyingopportunities for restoration to maximise carbon sequestration and ecological benefits. You may also visit sites toobserverestoration activities firsthand,assistingwith surveys and monitoring efforts that inform data-driven decisions to combat climate change and improve water quality.
In this role,you’llengage with stakeholders at various levels, building strong, effective working relationships that drive collaborative success. You will also utilise and enhance geospatial analysis skills, interpreting spatial data to inform strategic decisions. Your ability to refine complex technical information into clear, comprehensible reports and messaging will be essential, ensuring that your insights are accessible to a wide audience.
Moreover,you’llcontribute to broader sustainability projects, such as climate change adaptation and biodiversity, supporting Scottish Water’s comprehensive sustainability goals. This internship offers a unique opportunity to tackle real-world challenges, develop valuable skills, and make a tangible difference in our journey toward sustainability.
This is apaid summer internship, with an hourly rate of£13.45, aligned with the Real Living Wage. The role is typically full-time (35 hours per week), thoughwe’reopen to discussing flexible working patterns where possible. For a 35-hour week, the equivalent annual salary would be approximately£24,574, pro-rated for the length of the internship.
Whatyou’llneed
You’llbe in the penultimate year of university, ormaybe aboutto do a Masters. Either way,you’llbe on course for at least a 2:2 degree. And itgoes without sayingthat you will be available for the full placement time: 12 weeks.
You’llbe studying towards a degree in an environmental subject, such as Environmental Science, Sustainability, or a related field.
A strong interest in emissions reduction and/or data analysis is essential, asyou’llbe working with both environmental data and sustainability projects.
Most of all,you’llbring curiosity, enthusiasm, and a real desire to learn – along with the motivation to apply whatyou’restudying in a practical, real-world environments.
You’llneed to live within commuting distance ofEdinburgh or Stepps,as this role will be aligned to one of our key office locations.
In terms of essential requirements?That’sit.
Buthere’sthe thing…
We receive thousands of applications for our internship roles each year.Sowhat helps candidates stand out?
Here are a few things we love to see:
1. CVs that tell us more than just your grades. Show us whatyou’velearned, what interests you, and what motivates you.
2. Cover letters that explain why Scottish Water – and why thisparticular internshipappeals to you.
3. Applications thatdemonstrateour values: Bold, Responsible, Inspiring and Caring.
Looking out for you
While the work we do is important,it’snot the only thing that matters.That’swhy we support a healthy work-life balance and flexible ways of working where possible.
You’llgain meaningful experience, build your professional network, and get a real feel for what a future career at Scottish Water could look like – all while being supported by experienced colleagues who want you to succeed.
A few final things worth knowing…
Research shows that some people avoid applying for jobs unless they can meet every single criteria. If you’re interested in this job, but don’t tick all the boxes, apply anyway! We hardly ever hire people who can do every part of a job from Day One. Everyone has a learning curve. So don’t rule yourself out!
Let us know if there are any changes we can make to our recruitment process to help you perform at your best. Lots of our people have disabilities or neurodiverse conditions (including some of our recruiters!). We're also aware that some people might be experiencing temporary challenges because of life events, like menopause. We’re very used to making adjustments, so please don’t be afraid to ask.
As part of our commitment to developing a flourishing Scotland, it’s important that all our employees are Scottish taxpayers. If you join us, your home address will need to be in Scotland. If you don’t already live here, you'll need to commit to moving here within your first three months.
Please note, Scottish Water takes the safety, health and wellbeing of our employees, colleagues and customers very seriously and as such you may be subject to Drug & Alcohol testing in line with our policy.
Finally (finally!), candidates who haven’t submitted an application in the last 12 months will have their records removed from our recruitment database. You won’t need to do anything. Your data will be automatically deleted.