City/Town
All
Region
National
Vacancies
6
Salary Minimum
£25,301 Pro-rata
Position Type
Fixed Term
Job ID
32745
Closing date
15 Feb 2026
Published date
05 Jan 2026
Grade
Staff Grade 2
Role type
Engineering
Security check
Basic Check
Job description
Shape Your Future with an Industry Placement
Want to make a real difference for people and the environment? At the Environment Agency, we're looking for passionate individuals to help tackle some of the biggest environmental challenges.
Our 12-month industry placements, starting in September, offer hands-on experience while building skills that matter. This is more than a placement, it's an opportunity to learn, grow, and explore career pathways that could lead to your next big step.
You'll work with our Regulated Industry teams, supporting UK businesses to reduce environmental impacts and improve process safety. From chemicals and refineries to metals, you'll see how we regulate industry to protect people and the planet.
During your placement, you'll gain experience in:
- Data management and analysis
- Environmental regulation and compliance
- Evaluating environmental impact
- Carbon reduction and industrial transition
- Developing environmental standards
- Incident management and enforcement
- Partnership working and public engagement.
Support you can count on:
From day one, you'll have a mentor, office buddy, to help you thrive. You'll join a career entrant community and a welcome event packed with learning and networking.
You'll have the chance to join the EA's Chemical Engineering group, which focuses on your professional development, providing peer support to boost your technical knowledge and career prospects.
Application Process:
We've kept things simple so you can focus on showing your potential:
Apply Online - Tell us about your skills, motivations, and why you're excited to join
Behaviour - Based Assessment (BBA) Complete an interactive, game-style assessment measuring natural behaviours and potential. Practice options available
Shortlisting - We'll review your application and assessment results
Interview - If shortlisted, you'll be invited to one virtual interview
More details, including support for neurodiverse candidates and what to expect from the assessment, are in the Candidate Pack attached.
The Environment Agency regulates process industries across England under Environmental Permitting and COMAH Regulations.
This placement offers hands-on experience to complement your studies and professional growth. You'll rotate through three areas: Permitting, Local Operations, and Environment & Business. From reviewing permit applications to supporting regulatory officers and delivering a technical project, you'll see the direct impact of our work and how we help industry operate sustainably - balancing environmental protection with economic benefit.
We're looking for someone with a genuine interest in the environment and a passion for creating a better place for people and wildlife. You'll bring curiosity, flexibility, and determination to make positive change happen.
You should be studying (or have studied) a Chemical or Process Engineering degree accredited by IChemE.
Skills that will help you succeed include:
- Team working
- Confidence with data
- Problem-solving
- Engineering knowledge
- Health and safety awareness
Experience doesn't have to come from paid work alone. Volunteering, sports teams, or social clubs all count.
To join our Industry Placement, you'll need to meet all the following criteria:
Criteria 1
You're a UK, Commonwealth, or EEA national and have the right to work in the UK.
Criteria 2
Must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree, or an integrated master’s program, and be in their penultimate year of study, or have graduated within the last year (from June 2025 onwards).
We're committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. You'll receive full training, equipment, and support during induction, 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.
Ready to shape your future?
Applications close on 15 February 2026; interviews in March; offers by May. Apply early and make an impact!
Join our information call on 28 January 2026 at 12 PM to learn more and hear from current career entrants. Please find joining details in the Additional Candidate Pack.
Email [email protected] for queries.
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.