2026 Graduate Programme - Environment - Environmental Management Assessment

Job Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?
At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects, and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

Our environmental specialists work on an array of projects from high-profile schemes to smaller local studies across our energy, roads, rail, marine, property, and communities’ sectors. We work on projects throughout the full project lifecycle from feasibility to construction.

We are looking for Graduates for our Environmental Management and Assessment team, who have a flexible approach and an appetite to learn in a leading Engineering and Professional Advisory services consultancy. We want you to enjoy working in a collaborative environment where you can apply your skills working for a diverse range of clients and projects.

We are recruiting for Graduates in the following services and locations:
Environmental Management and Assessment – Naas and Belfast.

A Little Bit More About Your Role and The Team

Working as a Graduate in our Environmental Management and Assessment team will mean working on innovative projects, exploring and learning about the numerous facets of the requirements for project permitting and delivery. You will be working on projects across a broad range of clients, sectors, and scales.

Projects

Our teams have worked on some significant assignments in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and you will be helping deliver projects such as:

• Dublin Metrolink
• Department for Infrastructure, Northern Ireland
• EirGrid transmission grid upgrades
• Nationally significant road schemes both in Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
• Onshore and offshore windfarms
• Projects in the mining and aggregates sectors
• Assisting in the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), screening and scoping reports, planning application material, and environmental risk assessments
• Supporting Project Managers with project documentation including programme updates, trackers, schedules, and stakeholder records
• Contributing to environmental constraints reviews, baseline assessments, and desk studies
• Collaborating with technical specialists (e.g., ecology, noise, water, air quality) to coordinate inputs and collate information for assessment reports
• Helping prepare content for planning submissions, presentations, and client deliverables
• Communicating effectively with colleagues and external stakeholders, while developing your organisational and time-management skills

Environmental Management and Assessment

As a Graduate working in the Environmental Management and Assessment team, you will support the delivery of planning and consenting activities across a wide range of development sectors, including infrastructure, energy, transport, and built environment projects. You will assist Project Managers and Technical Leads in guiding projects through key environmental assessment processes, from initial feasibility and optioneering through to planning submission, construction, and operation.

Our teams assess environmental risks and opportunities, prepare key documentation to support planning applications, and work collaboratively with specialists across WSP to deliver robust, evidence-based advice. You will be part of multidisciplinary project teams and mentored by experienced environmental professionals, giving you exposure to real-world project challenges and innovative solutions.

Day-to-Day Activities Could Include:

• Assisting in the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), screening and scoping reports, planning application material, and environmental risk assessments.
• Supporting Project Managers with project documentation including programme updates, trackers, schedules, and stakeholder records.
• Contributing to environmental constraints reviews, baseline assessments, and desk studies.
• Collaborating with technical specialists (e.g., ecology, noise, water, air quality) to coordinate inputs and collate information for assessment reports.
• Helping prepare content for planning submissions, presentations, and client deliverables.
• Communicating effectively with colleagues and external stakeholders, while developing your organisational and time-management skills.

Graduates joining our 2026 intake could be involved in projects such as major energy infrastructure programmes, renewable energy development, transport planning and assessment, and large-scale urban development projects across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Graduate Development Programme

Our two-year Graduate Development programme is designed to support personal and professional development and growth through an engaging blended learning experience. The programmes include core business and professional skills training, career development workshops and resources, valuable networking opportunities, mentoring for professional registration, and a breadth of on-the-job experience.

Our teams are dedicated to supporting your career growth from the very beginning. Many employees have started as graduates and successfully advanced within the company. We encourage you to achieve chartered status with a variation of professional bodies, ensuring your development is a priority. You will be fully supported through enrolment in a professional institution’s training agreement, guiding you towards chartered or incorporated status.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate

• You’ll have graduated with at least a 2:2 in a master’s or bachelor’s degree in Geography or Environmental Sciences.
• Candidates must complete the application form in full answering all specific questions. Successful completion of this stage is mandatory. Candidates who pass this initial stage will then be required to complete an online skill enabler assessment. Both the application form and the skill enabler assessment are essential parts of the early career’s recruitment process.
• You'll be looking to start work in September 2026.
• You’ll have a passion for Earth & Environment, including Environmental management.
• You’ll have a good numerical understanding and experience in data analysis and interpretation using Excel and GIS.
• You’ll have an enthusiasm for creativity and a drive to solve problems.
• You’ll want to inspire us, sharing new ideas you have.
• You’ll have the ability to travel to sites and/or client offices as required.

Work-life Balance
At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests, and your community. Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging
We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP.

Health & Wellbeing
We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Flex Your Time
To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

Your Development
We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP
Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.