Summer Internship Programme 2026 - Environmental Sustainability

Ready to own your future? At Scottish Water, our Summer Internship Programme empowers you to gain hands-on experience, tackle real challenges, and contribute to shaping Scotland’s future. This is more than just a summer job – it’s an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. As part of our team, you’ll play a key role in delivering essential services and infrastructure that help Scotland flourish every day. You’ll be joining us at a fascinating time, as we transform into a more agile, innovative organisation that delivers outstanding service, provides great value for money, and works in an environmentally sustainable way that goes beyond Net Zero. Graduating in 2027? Kickstart your career with a 12-week summer placement and start building your future today.

As an Environmental Sustainability Intern within the Zero Emissions team, you’ll be at the forefront of Scottish Water’s ambitious mission to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. This role goes beyond theory, giving you the chance to make a measurable impact from day one. You’ll gain practical experience in reducing land-based emissions, supporting woodland creation, peatland restoration, biodiversity enhancement, and catchment management initiatives. Your work will include mapping and analysing land related data, assessing environmental conditions, and identifying opportunities for restoration to maximise carbon sequestration and ecological benefits. You may also visit sites to observe restoration activities firsthand, assisting with surveys and monitoring efforts that inform data-driven decisions to combat climate change and improve water quality.

In this role, you’ll engage with stakeholders at various levels, building strong, effective working relationships that drive collaborative success. You will also utilise and enhance geospatial analysis skills, interpreting spatial data to inform strategic decisions. Your ability to refine complex technical information into clear, comprehensible reports and messaging will be essential, ensuring that your insights are accessible to a wide audience. Moreover, you’ll contribute to broader sustainability projects, such as climate change adaptation and biodiversity, supporting Scottish Water’s comprehensive sustainability goals. This internship offers a unique opportunity to tackle real-world challenges, develop valuable skills, and make a tangible difference in our journey toward sustainability.

This is a paid summer internship, with an hourly rate of £13.45, aligned with the Real Living Wage. The role is typically full-time (35 hours per week), though we’re open to discussing flexible working patterns where possible. For a 35-hour week, the equivalent annual salary would be approximately £24,574, pro-rated for the length of the internship.

You’ll be in the penultimate year of university, or maybe about to do a Masters. Either way, you’ll be on course for at least a 2:2 degree. And it goes without saying that you will be available for the full placement time: 12 weeks. You’ll be studying towards a degree in an environmental subject, such as Environmental Science, Sustainability, or a related field. A strong interest in emissions reduction and/or data analysis is essential, as you’ll be working with both environmental data and sustainability projects. Most of all, you’ll bring curiosity, enthusiasm, and a real desire to learn – along with the motivation to apply what you’re studying in practical, real-world environments. You’ll need to live within commuting distance of Edinburgh or Stepps, as this role will be aligned to one of our key office locations.

We receive thousands of applications for our internship roles each year. So what helps candidates stand out? Here are a few things we love to see:

• CVs that tell us more than just your grades. Show us what you’ve learned, what interests you, and what motivates you.
• Cover letters that explain why Scottish Water – and why this particular internship appeals to you.
• Applications that demonstrate our values: Bold, Responsible, Inspiring and Caring.

While the work we do is important, it’s not the only thing that matters. That’s why we support a healthy work-life balance and flexible ways of working where possible. You’ll gain meaningful experience, build your professional network, and get a real feel for what a future career at Scottish Water could look like – all while being supported by experienced colleagues who want you to succeed.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 8th February. Please submit your CV and a cover letter (maximum 500 words) as part of your application. If shortlisted, final interviews will take place during February 23rd to March 13th and yes, you’ll get the chance to ask us plenty of questions too. If you accept a place on the programme, you’ll complete pre-employment screening during the Spring, including a criminal record check. All interns will start together in June for a 12-week Summer Internship, finishing at the end of August. You’ll take part in an induction, meet fellow interns and colleagues, learn about the organisation, visit operational sites, and hopefully have a lot of fun along the way.