Environment and Science Graduate Training Scheme 2026 - 32748

Environment and Science Graduate Training Scheme 2026 - 32748
42
East Midlands, East of England, National, North East, North West, South East, South West
Beverley , Birmingham , Blandford Forum , Bodmin , Brampton , Bridgwater , Bristol , Chichester , Exeter , Ipswich , Leeds , Manchester , Newcastle-upon-Tyne , Norwich , Nottingham , Peterborough , Reading , Sheffield , Shrewsbury , Wallingford , Warrington , Welwyn Garden City , West Malling , Worthing , York
Graduate Training 1
Permanent
Environment & Sustainability, Geography, Programme and Project Management, Project Delivery, Science
Full Time
30,685.00

15/02/2026, 23:55 hours

Basic Check

Kickstart your career with purpose. Shape the future with the Environment Agency. 

Are you driven by curiosity, motivated by challenge, and passionate about protecting our environment? This is your chance to turn ambition into action. At the Environment Agency, we don’t just offer jobs — we offer careers that make a difference. 

We’re looking for graduates who want to grow, lead, and influence. Through this permanent role, on our 4-year Graduate Training Scheme, you’ll gain the skills, experience, and confidence to become one of our future technical leaders — while making a real impact on the communities we serve and represent. 

This isn’t just training — it’s a journey. You will be supported to plan and access quality Continuing Professional Development alongside learning a role to work towards a chartership with a relevant professional body. 

We want individuals who can demonstrate potential for career growth, by balancing development of technical and leadership skills.  

Join us to build a career that thrives on curiosity, dedication, and will drive change for a better environment. 

What you'll do: 

-Work alongside subject experts in your base team. 

-Create a personalised development plan which aligns with your professional journey and the needs of the business. 

-Collect evidence of your development and skills to progress through professional memberships towards chartership. 

-Attend your base office a minimum of 2 days per week, visit sites and meetings at other offices as required.  

-Take on an incident role (after your first year) and engage in activity responding to environmental and/or flood incidents. 

Key responsibilities: 

-Perform duties that enhance your technical skills. 

-Take and reflect on opportunities to develop personal and leadership skills 

-Actively participate in the Graduate Trainee community. 

-Collaborate with other teams to gain a broader understanding of the Environment Agency's remit of protecting healthy ecosystems. 

Throughout the scheme, you’ll be supported by experienced professionals who will help refine your skills and unlock development opportunities—preparing you to become our next generation of technical leaders.  

You’ll actively shape and participate in a vibrant community of over 100 Graduate Trainees, building a strong support network that shares knowledge, drives collaboration, and develops skills.  

See the additional candidate pack for details on this year’s recruiting teams.

Curiosity and reflection of your learning and experiences will help to guide personal and professional growth, helping you to become our future generation of technical leaders. 

We are looking for applicants with a variety of skills and behaviours including: 

  • Willingness to learn: Open to developing skills in new areas 
  • Environmental commitment: Genuine interest in protecting and improving healthy ecosystems 
  • Passion for impact: Motivated to effect change for a better environment 
  • Networking ability: Skilled at building and maintaining professional connections to support growth and career development 
  • Strong communication: Able to collaborate effectively with others 
  • Flexibility and adaptability: Ready to adjust your approach when circumstances change 
  • Organisational skills: Capable of planning and managing your time proactively 
  • Prioritisation: Able to balance multiple tasks and responsibilities at once 

To be eligible for the Graduate Training Scheme you will need to meet ALL the following criteria:

Criteria 1

You are a UK, Commonwealth or EEA (European Economic Area) national.

You have the right to work in the UK.

Criteria 2

Must have graduated with an environment or science honours-based degree, master's or PHD from June 2021 till September 2026 and/or have current working knowledge of the subject.

Criteria 3

Some roles require a driving licence, please see individual role profiles to check if this is required.

We're committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applicants who may have had limited opportunities to gain industry experience.

You'll receive full training, equipment, and support, plus a generous benefits package:

Pension: Around 19% contribution to a career-average scheme invested in ethical, renewable energy businesses.

Leave: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays for work-life balance.

Flexibility: Full-time role with hybrid options, flexible hours, and time back for overtime.

Support: Access buddies, mentors, peer groups, and staff networks from day one.

Ready to shape your future?
Applications close 15 February; interviews in April; offers in May.

See the Candidate Packs for details, including links to our interactive Q&A and call.  

Email eacareerentry@environment-agency.gov.uk for queries.

Who we are

We are inspiring the people we work with to help the country to not only survive but thrive through the challenges of a changing climate. We want to keep people safe and protect the things that matter to us all – our natural spaces, our wildlife and our future.

We are committed to making our organisation as diverse as the environment and represents the communities we serve. Our society and environment are changing, bringing us new challenges all the time. We need a diverse workforce to help us deliver better for the different communities we serve. 

Joining the Environment Agency provides you with the opportunity to pursue many career paths whilst you are with us – developing complementary skills in frontline place-based delivery, shaping and influencing future strategic direction and providing inspirational and creative leadership.

Full UK driving licence, or equivalent UK-recognised driving licence. (Some roles require a driving licence, please see individual role profiles to check if this is required.)

After you have submitted your application, you will be sent a link to access a site called Arctic Shores. This will take you to an online assessment for you to complete. The next steps will be explained, and you can take the test at a time convenient for you. If you think you may require any reasonable adjustments, please contact eacareerentry@environment-agency.gov.uk.

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

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, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please 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 for more information.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the  Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.