Environment and Science Graduate Training Scheme 2026 - 32748

Environment Agency; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension contribution around 19%

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Flexibility with hybrid options and overtime compensation

Access to mentors and staff networks

Job summary

A government agency focused on environmental protection is seeking graduates for its Environment and Science Graduate Training Scheme 2026. This permanent role allows you to develop technical and leadership skills over a 4-year period. The position requires an honours degree in an environment or science-related subject, and you will work on real projects with the potential for professional chartership. The agency offers a supportive environment, generous benefits, and flexibility with working hours.

Qualifications

• Open to developing skills in new areas.
• Genuine interest in protecting and improving healthy ecosystems.
• Motivated to effect change for a better environment.
• Skilled at building and maintaining professional connections.
• Able to collaborate effectively with others.
• Ready to adjust your approach when circumstances change.
• Capable of planning and managing your time proactively.
• Able to balance multiple tasks and responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside subject experts to enhance technical skills.
• Create a personalised development plan aligned with professional journey.
• Collect evidence of development for professional memberships.
• Take on incident roles after the first year.
• Join a community of Graduate Trainees for support.

Skills

Willingness to learn

Environmental commitment

Passion for impact

Networking ability

Strong communication

Flexibility and adaptability

Organisational skills

Prioritisation

Education

Honours degree in an environment or science related subject

Job description

Environment and Science Graduate Training Scheme 2026 - 32748

Join to apply for the Environment and Science Graduate Training Scheme 2026 - 32748 role at Environment Agency

Overview

Kickstart your career with purpose. Shape the future with the Environment Agency. 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 with Continuing Professional Development and a pathway toward a chartership with a relevant professional body. We want individuals who can demonstrate potential for career growth, 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.

Experience/skills Required

Curiosity and reflection of your learning and experiences will help to guide personal and professional growth. 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

Eligibility criteria

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

• You are a UK, Commonwealth or EEA national and have the right to work in the UK.
• Minimum of an honours degree in an environment or science related subject. Graduated with an environment or science based degree, masters or PhD from June 2021 to September 2026, or have current working knowledge of the subject.
• Some roles require a driving licence; check individual role profiles to confirm.

Contact and additional information

We’re committed to building an inclusive workforce and 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.
• 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.

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 [e-mail] for queries.

Additional notes

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourage flexible working patterns for all vacancies, including job share. We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability. For guidance on AI usage, please review Civil Service guidance; ensure all submissions are truthful and based on your own experience.

Please note: Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service; status guidance should be checked with your HR team if applicable.

Global driver license requirement and role-specific licenses may apply per vacancy.

If you are applying from the Civil Service, Civil Service guidance may differ for continuity of service and redundancy calculations. See the candidate packs for details.

We also have recruitment communications about other roles and locations; the text above contains examples and references to related opportunities for context.