United Utilities
Graduate Ecologist
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About Us
Every day, we deliver one of life's most essential services to millions of people across the North West. From providing safe, high-quality drinking water to protecting the environment and supporting thriving communities, the work we do matters. We're now in the second year of our £16.5 billion investment programme, one of the largest transformation programmes in our history. It's an exciting time to join us as we improve our services, enhance environmental performance, embrace innovation and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.
There's more to us than just great water. We are where purpose flows.
What you can expect being a graduate in the Planning, Landscape, Ecology and Access team
As part of our Planning, Landscape, Ecology and Access team, you'll play an important role in helping United Utilities deliver major investment projects while protecting and enhancing the natural environment. Working alongside experienced ecologists, planners, landscape architects and environmental specialists, you'll support projects across our operational area, helping to ensure biodiversity, protected species, habitats and wider environmental considerations are embedded throughout project development and delivery. The team is central to our commitment to improving environmental performance, achieving sustainability objectives and delivering positive outcomes for nature and local communities.
As an Ecology Graduate, you'll support ecological assessments and environmental surveys that enable the safe and compliant delivery of capital investment projects. You will work with colleagues, consultants, contractors and regulators to identify ecological constraints and opportunities, helping to ensure projects meet environmental legislation, policy requirements and best practice standards. Through a combination of fieldwork, technical assessment and stakeholder engagement, you'll develop a broad range of ecological and environmental skills while contributing to projects that make a positive difference across the North West.
What you’ll be getting stuck into day to day:
- Supporting the delivery of ecological surveys, habitat assessments and environmental studies across a wide range of water and wastewater projects.
- Assisting with the identification and management of ecological constraints, including protected species, priority habitats and Biodiversity Net Gain requirements.
- Working alongside experienced ecologists and project teams to ensure environmental risks are identified and appropriately managed throughout project development and construction.
- Helping to review ecological reports, mitigation proposals and environmental management plans produced by consultants and contractors.
- Developing strong working relationships with internal teams and external organisations, including Natural England, local planning authorities, the Environment Agency and conservation stakeholders.
- Supporting site visits and occasional field surveys to gain practical experience of ecological assessment and environmental management.
- Representing the ecology team at project meetings and community engagement events, helping communicate environmental considerations to a range of audiences.
- Developing the skills, knowledge and experience required to progress towards professional membership and chartership with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), supported by structured training, mentoring and project experience.
- Working collaboratively with the wider graduate network while building your knowledge of the water industry, natural environment and sustainable infrastructure delivery.
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What you’ll bring to the team:
- A passion for ecology, biodiversity conservation and the natural environment, with an awareness of current environmental challenges.
- A degree in Ecology OR other relevant qualification in Environmental Science, Biological Sciences, Conservation, Zoology, Environmental Management or a related discipline.
- An understanding of UK wildlife legislation, protected species and habitat conservation principles.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain technical information to different audiences.
- The ability to build positive relationships and work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
- A proactive approach to learning, problem solving and managing your own workload.
- Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing tasks effectively.
- A full UK driving licence, or the ability to obtain one, as the role may involve travel to sites across the North West.
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Why join United Utilities as a Graduate?
By joining us on our 3-year graduate scheme, you'll not only get first-class training and support, but we'll also provide you with an in-depth understanding of your business area, ultimately giving you the confidence, skills and knowledge required to become one of our future operational, technical or people leaders, driving meaningful change.
What's in it for you?
- Starting salary of at least £32,250 + £2,000 welcome bonus
- 26 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after 4 years + bank holidays
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave policies
- Up to 14% employer pension contribution
- Access to colleague wellbeing programmes and dedicated mentors who will support you whilst on scheme
- We’ll contribute up to £500 towards driving lessons and tests to help to get you on the road
Want to learn more about life at United Utilities and explore our full benefits package? Take a look at our Flexa profile here: [United Utilities | Verified Employers | Flexa Careers](United Utilities | Verified Employers | Flexa Careers)
Our commitment to opportunity for all
We're committed to creating a workplace where you feel you can belong and can succeed. Our colleague networks play an important role in this, these are;
- GeneQ – supporting gender equality, parents and carers
- Multi-Cultural & Faith
- LGBTQ+
- Armed Forces
- Ability – supporting colleagues with disabilities and long-term health conditions
We recommend that you are open and honest with us throughout the process and make us aware of any reasonable adjustments you may require. Rest assured, we don't use AI to screen your application at any stage of the process. A real person will review your application.
To ensure a fair recruitment process, we ask that you apply for only one Graduate role per recruitment year. Take a look at all our opportunities and apply for the one that interests you most.
Key dates to consider
- Applications close on 21st October 2026.
- Once applications have closed, a member of the Early Careers team will review your application to ensure it meets the minimum requirements for your chosen role.
- We anticipate this review process may take up to two weeks following the closing date.
- Interviews are expected to take place between 17th and 30th November.
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