Graduate Environmental Advisor 2026 - UK Wide

We are currently sourcing candidates who have recently qualified with a degree in an Environmental related subject and who are looking to build their knowledge and experience in exciting and varied sectors across the construction industry.

We are looking for candidates who are willing to locate to a variety of locations across the UK where they can develop and extend their skills and capabilities in this exciting discipline.

Please note that final locations for the roles will be discussed at interview and finalised, depending on the candidate and business need at the time.

Please note that some roles may be within the Nuclear & Defence sector and candidates will need to obtain Security Clearance and have been resident in the UK for the last 5 years

The programme will focus on helping you to grow your personal and leadership skills, alongside business and of course, the technical skills you will learn day-to-day on the job, the programme will provide you with specific technical training for your specialised discipline.

The programme is delivered in a variety of formats throughout the 2 years and will allow you to establish a network of contacts that will help and support you through your first 2 years and beyond.

We expect some of our graduates to rotate after a period of 8-12 months, to another project/sector of the business to fully understand the depth and breadth of the services offered by the company.

Our line managers are fully supportive of the Graduate Development Programme and will be involved in helping you along the way.

In addition to the programme, we offer mentoring and support in every area of work, as well as a structured training programme to enable graduates to work towards achieving Chartership.

Graduates may have the opportunity to work on a number of exciting and progressive projects around the UK during the 2-year period, in sectors including nuclear, highways, rail, water, airports and tunnels.

Working as part of a Framework/Project support the Framework/Project SHE Manager in their role.

• Understand the Company Health & Safety and Environmental Policies and Procedures and statutory requirements as they affect the Project operations and ensure that the requirements are implemented
• Assist in providing operational and functional management with advice on the prevention of accidents, ill health, environmental incidents and the practical implementation of the company's SHE policies
• Assist in providing operational and functional management with advice for obtaining legal consents, licences and exemptions such as discharge consents, abstraction licences and waste management licences
• Assist the Project Manager or Framework/Project SHE/E Manager in preparing and developing the Framework/Project Health, Safety and Environmental Management Plan ('HASEMP') & co-ordinator reviews
• Assist the SHE advisors in undertaking site SHE inspections
• Assist where necessary with tenders When directed, assist with the preparation of Environmental Risk Assessments and Method Statements
• Assist with the monitoring and reporting of Project SHE Performance as directed
• Assist in the investigation of environmental incidents
• Assist in the preparation and implementation of SHE training courses, as directed
• Actively promote the company 'BE SAFE', 'BE HEALTHY' and 'SAVE IT' campaigns in addition to the implementation of best practice principles across the business, to include stakeholders such as the supply chain
• Set standards and lead by example in the management of SHE
• Maintain own level of knowledge and competency in relation to SHE management and responsibilities including appropriate qualification and professional
• Obtain competency cards in line with company Competence Card Compliance policy, e.g. CSCS / CCNSG
• Develop reports and attend SHE Meetings / Environmental related groups and forums / Client handover meetings to represent GCA environmental team
• Undertake monthly environmental audits and report back on findings
• Facilitate in internal/external audits as part of ISO 14001 accreditation and client related audits
• Undertake supply chain audits and assist in sub-contractor approval
• Promote and advertise site best practice within framework and to the wider business
• Develop and maintain network of contacts within appropriate regulatory departments
• Write, apply and ensure compliance with consenting applications

• Environmental related experience
• Environmental related degree & IEMA Associate Qualification or equivalent NVQ
• Affiliate Member IOSH or Affiliate Member IEMA or equivalent
• Excellent organisations, communication and time management skills
• Have passion for Costain's Carbon Net Zero targets
• IT proficient
• Able to work accurately and appreciate its importance to the team
• A willingness to learn with appropriate instruction
• Excel at building and maintaining positive relationships
• The ability to thrive in pressured situations
• The ability to empathise and communicate with all people, regardless of their background or circumstances
• Mobility to work on various projects over the 2-year programme throughout the UK - Full UK Driving Licence is essential
• Candidate must be able to obtain security clearance as some roles are within the Nuclear & Defence sector

• Relevant SHE experience in construction/engineering industry
• Tech IOSH or AIEMA or equivalent

Please note that if you are invited to interview, we will require you to produce your passport and/or right to work documentation.

As some of our project sites are based in remote locations, it is worth noting that you will be required to have the ability to travel to site.

Costain helps to improve people's lives with integrated, leading edge, smart infrastructure solutions across the UK's energy, water, transportation and defence markets. We help our clients improve their business performance by increasing capacity, improving customer service, safeguarding security, enhancing resilience, decarbonising and delivering increased efficiency. Our vision is to be the UK's leading smart infrastructure solutions company. We will achieve this by focusing on blue chip clients whose major spending plans are underpinned by strategic national needs, regulatory commitments, legislation or essential performance requirements. We offer our clients leading edge solutions that are digitally optimised through the following five services which cover the whole lifecycle of their assets: future-shaping strategic consultancy; consultancy and advisory; digital technology solutions; asset optimisation and complex programme delivery. Our culture and values underpin everything we do.

Costain appreciate the time and effort taken when applying for one of our positions but, due to the high volume of responses, we are unable to provide individual feedback on candidates at application phase.

We do share individual feedback following an interview.

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that disclose they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer.

It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people.

For more details please go to the Disability Confident website: