Environment Agency careers
Employing around 10,600 people in 14 areas across England, the Environment Agency (EA) offers a number of graduate careers - for geologists, planners, hydrologists and more
Intense bouts of flooding across England and the rest of the UK are one of the nation's major threats, and thanks to climate change they are set to become even more frequent over the coming years, the Environment Agency has warned.
Since flooding has become such a prominent national issue, long-term measures have been put in place to ensure the country's flood defences remain strong. This has opened up a range of Environment Agency jobs for those considering flood risk management (FRM) careers.
Working in flood risk management
For those looking to enter the UK's environmental sector, there's no escaping the fact that floods have the potential to damage property and businesses, devastate lives, and topple infrastructure networks that serve to keep societies and local economies functioning.
The issue is only set to heighten as climate change takes effect and, despite our technological advances, society seems ever more vulnerable to the impacts of flooding. Skilled professionals are therefore needed in all areas of FRM, with jobs including:
- environmental consultant
- environmental manager
- environmental engineer
- hydrologist
- project manager
- water engineer
- water quality scientist.
By becoming a flood professional with the EA, you'll get to play a key role in working on flood defences that can protect people and properties, enhance the environment and improve local communities.
If you're ready to start applying, search graduate jobs in environment and agriculture.
Routes into the Environment Agency
To best position yourself for an Environment Agency job you'll need the right qualifications, skills and a strong dedication to the industry.
Fortunately, there are structured pathways to follow when working for the Environment Agency that combine work with study, and these are available whether you're at college, university, or in the workplace.
If you're just starting out in the environmental sector, the EA offers apprenticeships in finance, facilities management and assistant scientist roles, with applications accepted through its online recruitment system.
The latter two are available at Level 2 and Level 3 respectively, and workplace training for the assistant scientist apprenticeship takes place at one of the organisation's three laboratories in Leeds, Nottingham and Exeter.
There's also the BSc Flood and Coastal Engineering - a two-year part-time top-up degree for those with sponsorship, or a one-year full-time programme for those who self-fund their studies, offered through Brunel University London.
Students in the penultimate year of a relevant remote sensing and/or geographical information systems (GIS) undergraduate degree can apply for a year-long work placement at the EA's Bath office. This paid opportunity is ideal for those set on working in geomatics or the wider environmental sector.
Studying towards a postgraduate qualification
To get onto the EA's structured Engineering Graduate Programme, completed over the course of three to four years, you'll need a Masters in civil, electrical or mechanical engineering. On the programme you'll develop relevant skills and capabilities in many areas, including project management, asset management, planning, design and site supervision. Following this path can lead to chartered engineer status.
The MSc Hydrology and Water Management at Newcastle University contains a strong FRM component, which can be selected as a specialist pathway, with the programme informed by scientific and mathematical understanding of the processes of rainfall, rivers, coasts and catchments.
The Masters course addresses practical issues, including planning, design, flood forecasting and warning and options for defence and risk management. The professional training encompasses hydrology, hydraulics, mathematics and computer modelling as well as a strong overall context of the changing environment, with modules addressing climate change, the water industry and river basin management.
As well as taking up positions with the EA, graduates also go on to work in the UK and internationally for engineering consultancies, local and regional government, and environmental companies, with some choosing to embark on further academic study.
Explore what else you can do with a degree in civil engineering.
Becoming professionally qualified
As you develop your career, guidance and training is available from industry organisations such as the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM).
For instance, ICE, which has more than 95,000 members around the world, is an organisation dedicated to supporting civil engineers and technicians through the award of professional qualifications, industry training, knowledge-sharing and networking.
By achieving a professional qualification with ICE, a civil engineer can prove his or her knowledge, skills and experience. It's an internationally-recognised standard, demonstrating to employers that the engineer is highly capable and committed. It also puts engineers in a stronger position when it comes to potential promotion and pay.
As well as helping civil engineers to become professionally qualified, ICE offers support to members throughout their professional lives. They provide extensive access to events and resources, allowing members to gain the knowledge they need to both grow in their careers and make a real difference in society.
Members who are qualified with ICE (MICE) or attain an ICE Fellowship (FICE) may also be eligible to become a chartered environmentalist (CEnv) through an association ICE has with the Society for the Environment (SocEnv). It confirms expertise in environmental matters, giving employers, clients and peers trust in professional capabilities.
To learn more about entering the profession, get some tips on becoming a civil engineer.