Working for EA

How to apply for jobs, workplace benefits and entry level programmes at the Environment Agency.

Apply for a job

You can search for a job, including entry level programmes, on our recruitment system.

We employ around 13,400 people throughout England in a variety of roles including:

  • scientists
  • geologists
  • engineers
  • project managers
  • planners
  • hydrologists
  • environment officers
  • graduates
  • nuclear assessors
  • policy advisors
  • enforcement officers
  • senior managers
  • support staff

What we offer you

There are a range of benefits available when you work with us.

Pay and pension

We offer:

  • a competitive salary
  • a generous career average pension scheme

Enhanced benefits

These include:

  • generous holiday allowance of 25 or 27 days per year, subject to grade, increasing to 30 days based on length of service, plus an additional 8 public/bank holidays – part-time and compressed hours employees are entitled to a pro-rata amount of annual and bank holiday leave
  • maternity, paternity and adoption leave scheme
  • leave for examinations, approved studies, public duties, special or reserve forces, environmental work, trade union representatives and health and safety representatives
  • a range of flexible working options, including flexi-time – these depend on business needs, but our aim is to help you achieve a positive work-life balance

Health and wellbeing

We offer:

  • occupational health benefits, including counselling and advisory service, eye care service and access to Help (our employee assistance service)
  • interest free loans for season tickets and/or bicycles and safety equipment
  • childcare vouchers scheme
  • subsidised sports and social clubs
  • many other rewards, including shopping, leisure, fitness, finance, and travel benefits and discounts

Value difference: include everyone

At the Environment Agency, we know our people are our greatest asset. It’s important to us that every member of our workforce feels they:

  • can bring their whole selves to work
  • are appreciated and valued for who they are

We want our workforce to reflect the diverse communities we work with, to help us create a better place for everyone. Watch the video to hear from some of our employees, and hear about their experience with us.

Value difference: include everyone

Entry level programmes

We offer a variety of early careers schemes, including: 

  • internships 
  • industry placements 
  • graduate schemes 
  • apprenticeships

Summer Internship Programme (SIP)

The SIP runs for approximately 12 weeks over the summer and is open to final-year undergraduates and recent graduates. It offers the opportunity to gain valuable skills and experience in areas aligned with your interests. 

Interns will work in one of our core business areas: 

  • environment and science 
  • business and communication 

The programme provides an extensive support network, along with tailored learning and development sessions to encourage growth and retention.

You’ll gain insight into the breadth of our work across the Environment Agency and our core values for people and the environment. Support will be provided by a team leader, office buddy, and mentor to help kickstart your career. 

Internships typically run from late June to early September. The salary is £25,301 (pro rata). 

Applications for the 2025 intake are now closed. Applications for the 2026 intake will open in December 2025/January 2026. Find out more: Internships – Environment Agency.

For further information, email: eacareerentry@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Industry placements

We offer a range of paid industry placements for undergraduates and recent graduates. 

Each placement involves working in one of our core business areas: 

  • engineering (civil or process and chemical) 
  • environment and science 
  • business and communication 

Placements run for up to 12 months. The salary is £25,301. 

Applications for the 2025 intake are now closed. Applications for the 2026 intake will open in December 2025/January 2026. 

Find out more: Industry Placements – Environment Agency Careers. 

For further information, email: eacareerentry@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Environment and Science Graduate Training Scheme (ES-GTS)

The ES-GTS is a four-year development programme for new entrants into permanent science-based roles. It offers exciting opportunities to contribute, learn, and grow in line with your personal aspirations and our business needs. 

We welcome graduates and postgraduates with qualifications reflecting the broad environmental focus of the scheme. Applicants may come from a wide range of scientific disciplines, including: 

  • environmental sciences 
  • physical geography
  • catchment and river basin management 
  • hydrology and hydrogeology 
  • hydraulic modelling 
  • ecology and biodiversity 
  • geomorphology 
  • coastal processes 
  • climate science 
  • carbon management 
  • sustainability and environmental management 
  • data science and informatics 

Upon completion, you can gain accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), and potentially other relevant professional bodies. 

The starting salary is £30,685, depending on qualification level. 

Applications for the 2025 intake are now closed. Applications for the 2026 intake will open in December 2025/January 2026. 

Find out more: Environment and Science Graduate Training Scheme – Environment Agency Careers.

For further information, email: eacareerentry@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Engineering Graduate Training Scheme

We’re looking for graduates with a master’s degree in civil, electrical or mechanical engineering to join the Environment Agency’s graduate engineer training programme.

You will follow a well-supported development programme which provides the opportunity to experience working in different teams and take on a variety of projects over 3 to 4 years. You will build skills in:

  • asset management
  • project feasibility
  • planning
  • design
  • project management
  • site supervision

Once you’ve completed the programme, you can go on to do your chartered professional review to become a chartered engineer. This can be with any of the following:

You will then be in a great position to apply for professionally qualified roles within the Environment Agency.

Places on our graduate engineer training programme are advertised on an annual basis via our recruitment system in either spring or autumn.

Register any time to receive a notification when positions go live on the system. Before applying, applicants must check if their engineering degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators JBM. There are several different course checkers available, such as The Engineering Council’s course checker.

For further information about our programme email:gradengineers@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Apprenticeship programmes

Apprenticeships are exciting career pathways where you get hands-on training and the chance to put your skills into practice. You will receive on the job training with allocated time to complete your apprenticeship learning. Apprenticeships are available at multiple levels and are suitable for anyone, from school leavers to those wanting to learn new skills or change their career.

The Environment Agency offer a variety of apprenticeship courses to align with specialisms across the business. For example, Business Administrator, Data Analyst and Environmental Practitioner. There are many available choices, and some include a qualification. The entry requirements for these opportunities vary depending on your choice.

Our apprenticeship programmes are advertised via our recruitment system.

For further information, email:eatalent@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Volunteering opportunities

River Thames Volunteer Assistant Lock Keepers

We are recruiting volunteers to help our staff on the River Thames.

We are responsible for 45 lock sites on the river, which are used by boaters throughout the year. During the summer months we see an increase in boat traffic as more people enjoy all the Thames has to offer. As a River Thames Volunteer Assistant Lock Keeper, you will help with the safe passage of boats through our locks.

Working with an experienced Lock and Weir Keeper, you will help in the day-to-day management of a lock site and give information, guidance and advice to river users as they pass through. We will provide full training and uniform to successful applicants.

If you would like to find out more about volunteering on the Thames, contact the River Thames volunteer team on 02030 259628 or email: thames.volunteers@environment-agency.gov.uk.

How we process your personal data

We are changing the way we process your personal data relating to financial transactions when we interact with you. Our services provider Shared Services Connected Limited (SSCL) may process some of this data offshore.

For more information see Personal data processing: fair processing notice.

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