Graduate Water Resources Consultant - Water - 2026 (Leeds)

Stantec; Moor Side; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental consultancy in the UK is offering a graduate position in their Water Resources team. This role involves collaborating with industry experts and contributing to impactful projects while providing innovative solutions for water resource management. Applicants should have a Bachelor's degree in Geography or a related field. The position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive development opportunities in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Private medical insurance

Holiday buy and sell options

Life assurance

Professional progression plan

Responsibilities

• Provide technical advice and innovative solutions to water resource investigations.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure project success.
• Complete water resource options assessments and management plans.

Skills

Adaptability

Perseverance

Eagerness to learn

Collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Geography or Environmental subject

Job description

As a Stantec graduate, you will collaborate with your team and wider cohort, developing your professional skills and expertise within an exciting and creative inter‑disciplinary environment. We offer a supportive environment to further your personal and professional development, through a combination of our graduate programme and comprehensive training opportunities. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with leading technical experts throughout the UK and contribute to exciting projects while developing your career. The Opportunity Stantec’s market‑leading Technical and Environmental services group in the Water sector support our clients in the water industry, including water companies, regulators and research bodies across the UK and occasionally internationally. We also support across other multidisciplinary sectors, including energy and infrastructure. Water resource requirements now and in the future will be significantly impacted by global trends in population growth, climate change, environmental requirements, energy production and agricultural needs. You will join a UK‑wide team working on a variety of projects, providing high quality solutions to these challenges faced by the water sector.

Key Projects and Challenges

• Investigating the sustainability and impacts of water abstractions on the wider environment such as dependent surface water and terrestrial ecosystems.
• Developing a conceptual understanding and modelling of water resource availability in complex hydrological and hydrogeological systems.
• Undertaking water supply option development and appraisals in addition to other elements of Water Resource Management Plans (WRMPs).
• Undertaking deployable output, yield and drought modelling in different climate and operational scenarios.
• Collaborating on regional water transfer schemes such as Strategic Resource Options (SRO).

Role Responsibilities

In our Water Environment discipline within the Water Resources team, you will learn to provide technical advice and innovative solutions to water resource investigations, including preparing data, reports and other deliverables. You and the wider team will collaborate effectively with water companies, regulators, design engineers, contractors, planners and other stakeholders to ensure project success. Technical work will be complemented with learning fundamental project management principles, working within budget and scope, and liaising with other professionals in the industry.

As part of the role you will develop in‑depth knowledge of UK and global water resources and drought planning processes. You will complete water resource options assessments, water resource management plans, drought plans, WINEP investigations, catchment management studies, climate change impact assessments, Water Framework Directive (WFD) assessments and have opportunities to collect hydrometric data in the field.

Take a look at our Water business line here: Water (stantec.com), and review the career journey of some of our early careers professionals here: Career Stories | Stantec.

Qualifications and Attributes

Along with a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Geography or an Environmental‑related subject, with a keen interest in working in the Water sector, you will be:

• An Adapter – You’re able to remain calm in new and changing situations, comfortably switching between a variety of dynamic and exciting tasks.
• A Perseverer – You stay composed in the face of setbacks, approaching challenges with confidence and determination.
• An Eager Learner – You learn from your experiences and the world around you, using this knowledge to anticipate how situations may unfold.
• A Collaborator – You work effectively with lots of different people, considering others’ perspectives to shape better outcomes.
• A Problem‑Solver – You love to give your thoughts based on what you see, being unafraid to challenge conventional thinking.

Please note, we ask our graduates to come into the office 4 days per week, to ensure that you receive sufficient time with your team and receive the appropriate level of support. Applicants must have an unconditional right to live and work in the UK for an indefinite period without limitation.

Benefits and Opportunities

• A competitive salary.
• Private medical insurance.
• A range of benefits, including holiday buy and sell, group income protection and life assurance.
• Permanent employment contract to demonstrate our commitment to your long‑term career at Stantec.
• Professional progression plan, supporting you to gain professional chartership.
• A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network (see more on our ERGs here: Stantec Employee Resource Groups).

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world‑class talent is a crucial key to our success.