2026 Graduate Programme - Earth & Environment - Ground & Water

Job Description

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 Ground & Water specialists support our clients in successful assessment and investigation of Brownfield land, supporting development proposals and commercial decisions. The team are also involved in the Demolition and Decommissioning of entire non-operational power stations to managing small, specialised redundant plants within active process areas.

We are looking for Graduates for our teams 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 teams and locations:

• Contaminated Land: Manchester, Glasgow or Bristol
• Demolition and Decommissioning: Flexible

A little bit more about your role and the team

Our Ground and Water teams have worked on a range of assignments and as a graduate working in Contaminated Land or Demolition and Decommissioning, you will be helping deliver projects such as:

• Ground investigations for huge infrastructure projects such as HS2 and Heathrow
• The Great Grid upgrade
• Remediation of a former gasworks site or petrochemical plant
• UK prototype fusion energy facility
• Various projects supporting the nuclear industry
• A wide range of infrastructure and water schemes and investigations around emerging contaminants
• Thermal Power station - Decommissioning and Demolition
• Refinery - High Hazard plant demolition
• Nuclear Power station Decommissioning and Demolition

Our Ground & Water Teams:

Contaminated Land:

Working as a Graduate in this team will mean you are specifically supporting the Ground & Water (geo-environmental/contaminated land/hydrogeology) team. The successful candidate will play a key role in the day-to-day delivery of projects, working closely with, project managers and project directors, this could include significant periods on site. Activities will typically include investigating, assessing and remediating contaminated sites with a significant component of field works transitioning with time and experience towards factual and interpretative reporting, client liaison and project management.

• Phase 1 Desk study researching and reporting.
• Phase 2 Site investigation design, supervision, soil sampling, soil logging, subcontractor management, human health/water environment risk assessment and reporting.
• Provision of adherence (with training) to best technical, engineering and health and safety practice including self and others.
• Communicating and liaising effectively with clients, subcontractors and assisting the project team.
• Operational assistance towards the delivery of project works, not restricted to contaminated land, but also supporting disciplines.
• Environmental site monitoring.
• Data collection and Data management.
• Factual checking of ground investigation reports, with progression to preparation of ground investigation reports.

Demolition and Decommissioning:

This role would predominantly be site based. Site works are dependent on active projects with travel across the whole of the UK and potentially internationally as required. The overall objective of this role is to provide support to the WSP's Decommissioning and Demolition (D&D) team, specifically to support decommissioning, demolition and remediation projects requiring significant periods of sitework / working away. The successful candidate will play a key role in the day-to-day delivery of projects, working closely with and being supported by team members, project managers and project directors. Activities will typically include monitoring decommissioning and demolition operations, while gaining the knowledge and experience to transition with time and experience towards work towards the supervision and eventually management of these works.

• Attendance of works/site briefings, meetings and workshops.
• Observation and reporting of contractors works.
• Assisting clients with the planning and programming of the works and addressing challenges associated with decommissioning.
• Assisting in the data gathering and surveying of new projects.
• Communicating and liaising with clients, contractors, assisting the project team.
• Operational assistance towards the delivery of projects.

Our projects range from decommissioning entire non-operational power stations to managing small, specialised redundant plants within active process areas.

You will join an enthusiastic and supportive team, providing you with a challenging and fulfilling career. In this team, you will be dealing with internal and external stakeholders (including regulatory authorities), collaborating with colleagues and adapting to dynamic project environments.

Graduate Development Programme and Future progression

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.

What 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 a relevant subject for the role you are applying for.
• You'll be looking to start work in either April or September 2026.
• You will hold a UK driving licence or equivalent.
• You'll have the ability to remain calm and focused under pressure.
• You'll have the ability to learn, demonstrate attention to detail and be adaptable to change.
• You'll have the ability to work to a defined budget and timescales and the capability to build relationships.
• You'll have an enthusiasm for creativity and a drive to solve problems.
• You'll have the ability to communicate effectively.
• You'll want to inspire us, sharing new ideas you have.
• Willingness and ability to travel in the UK, to remote environments (some of which are inaccessible by public transport), including overnight stays.

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.

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.