Graduate Environmental Advisor

Support environmental management and sustainability across major water infrastructure projects while developing towards professional chartership.

Job Description

Costain's strong partnership with Thames Water continues into AMP8 as we have secured our position on their Capital Delivery Programme. The Thames Water AMP8 Capital Delivery Programme (2025-2030) covers a mix of non-infrastructure projects ranging from smaller capital maintenance to large civil new build schemes.

Working on a variety of water and wastewater projects you will be involved in the design, construction, commissioning and putting to work of contracts to ensure they are completed in the most efficient manner.​

Costain's Graduate Development Programme

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.

Responsibilities

Working as part of a Framework/Project support the Framework/Project Environmental 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

Qualifications

Essential:

• 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

Desirable:

• Relevant SHE experience in construction/engineering industry

• Tech IOSH or AIEMA or equivalent

About Us

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.