Graduate Flood Risk and Drainage Consultant in Crawley

Salary: £24,000–£26,000 per annum (full-time), depending on qualifications and experience, plus bi-annual performance bonus.

Contract: Permanent. This is an office-based position at Unda’s own premises, Oak Cottage — a distinctive Grade II listed building in County Oak, Crawley. The office provides a professional, well-equipped environment designed to support close collaboration, mentoring and technical delivery. The location offers convenient transport connections, including proximity to Three Bridges and Gatwick Airport railway stations, as well as access to major road links. Local amenities, shops and green spaces are within walking distance, providing practical day-to-day convenience. Applicants must already have the unrestricted right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

About Unda

Unda is a specialist flood risk and drainage consultancy operating across England and Wales. We deliver detailed, site-specific advice across a wide range of services, including Flood Risk Assessments, Surface Water Drainage Strategies, Foul Water Drainage Strategies, SuDS design, Sequential and Exception Tests and flood modelling. Our work extends beyond planning submissions. We undertake Flood Risk Assessments for planning applications at all stages, as well as for insurance, land acquisition, due diligence, conveyancing and business continuity purposes. We prepare drainage strategies from early scoping and feasibility through to detailed design and discharge of conditions, integrating drainage solutions into wider development proposals. In addition to private-sector consultancy, we support Local Planning Authorities and Lead Local Flood Authorities, assisting with flood and drainage responsibilities and providing technical input into regulatory processes. We also coordinate complementary services such as surveying and geotechnical investigations where required, ensuring clients receive coherent, end-to-end technical support. We are a focused and agile consultancy made up of motivated, technically strong individuals who take ownership of their work. Our approach combines technical rigour with practical thinking and direct communication, allowing us to deliver high-quality outcomes efficiently.

The Role

As a Graduate Flood Risk & Drainage Consultant, you will contribute to the preparation of Flood Risk Assessments and Drainage Strategies across a wide range of advisory and development projects. Our flood risk and drainage work spans multiple purposes, including:

• Planning applications (outline, full and discharge of conditions stages)
• Supporting evidence for insurance and underwriting
• Land acquisition and due diligence assessments
• Conveyancing and property transactions
• Business continuity and risk advisory
• Technical support to Local Authorities and Lead Local Flood Authorities

You will develop an understanding of how flood risk policy, mapping, modelling outputs and site-specific constraints influence development viability, regulatory decisions and property risk.

Key Responsibilities

• Preparing Flood Risk Assessments in accordance with the NPPF, local planning policy and relevant guidance
• Assessing flood risk from all sources, including fluvial, pluvial (surface water), groundwater, reservoir and sewer flooding
• Reviewing Environment Agency flood mapping, historic flood records and site-specific datasets
• Interpreting hydraulic and hydrological information where available
• Applying appropriate climate change allowances and considering future flood risk scenarios in line with current national guidance
• Assessing residual risk, including safe access and egress, exceedance pathways and emergency planning considerations where relevant
• Identifying appropriate mitigation and management measures
• Producing clear, defensible technical reports suitable for submission to planning authorities, insurers or private clients
• Preparing Foul and Surface Water Drainage Strategy reports at outline, full and discharge of conditions stages
• Undertaking runoff calculations and contributing to the sizing of attenuation and discharge controls in line with greenfield or policy-driven runoff targets
• Designing Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in line with the CIRIA SuDS Manual and national standards
• Building and reviewing surface water drainage models using Causeway Flow and Live Design (or equivalent)
• Producing report visuals using QGIS and preparing technical drawings using AutoCAD
• Interpreting topographical surveys, ground investigation data and utility records to inform design

Planning Policy & Strategic Assessment

• Supporting the preparation of Sequential and Exception Test documentation where required
• Applying knowledge of the NPPF, local policy and national standards to inform site advice
• Contributing to planning strategy discussions where flood risk constraints influence development proposals
• Supporting early-stage site appraisal and constraint analysis to inform development feasibility prior to planning submission

Project & Consultancy Contribution

• Supporting projects from initial scoping and quotation through to submission and technical response
• Communicating clearly with clients to understand objectives, risk appetite and site constraints
• Supporting engagement with Local Planning Authorities, LLFAs, the Environment Agency and water companies
• Responding to regulator comments and supporting iterative revisions to drainage and flood risk submissions
• Contributing to internal QA and peer review processes
• Assisting with research into policy updates and emerging guidance
• Using digital and AI-assisted tools where appropriate to support research, data interrogation and report drafting, while applying professional judgement and verification to all outputs
• Supporting business development activities where appropriate

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Geography, Environmental Science, Civil Engineering or related subject)
• Genuine interest in flood risk management and sustainable drainage systems
• Intellectual curiosity and a willingness to understand the underlying mechanisms of flood risk and drainage design, not simply apply guidance
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to structure clear and defensible technical reports
• Confidence discussing technical findings in internal and client settings
• Organised and capable of managing workload across multiple live projects
• Analytical and methodical approach to interpreting technical data
• Proficiency with IT and GIS software (QGIS preferred)
• Commitment to maintaining high professional and QA standards
• Willingness to take responsibility for work outputs and engage constructively in technical discussion and review
• Exposure to drainage modelling software such as Causeway Flow, MicroDrainage or InfoDrainage (Causeway Flow preferred)
• Experience using AutoCAD to prepare technical drawings
• Prior internship, placement or relevant work experience
• Knowledge of NPPF and TAN15 planning policy and understanding of planning processes in England and Wales
• Awareness of or membership with CIWEM
• Awareness of the growing role of artificial intelligence tools in professional and technical environments, with some experience using AI-assisted tools to support research, analysis or drafting, and an understanding of their limitations

You will not be expected to undertake these responsibilities independently from the outset; structured support and review form part of how we develop graduates within the consultancy.

Structured pathway to CIWEM chartership

We operate a defined development framework aligned to CIWEM competencies. Professional membership and chartership fees are fully funded, with structured guidance throughout the process.

Clear progression through consultancy levels

The consultancy operates defined progression stages, with expectations and responsibilities aligned to each level. Advancement is based on capability, performance and contribution, supported by regular review.

Exposure to the wider business

As a specialist consultancy, individuals gain insight into business development, financial performance and operational decision-making, developing broader professional capability alongside technical expertise.

Responsibility aligned to ability

Increasing responsibility is provided in line with performance, allowing individuals to develop professional judgement and independence.

Competitive salary, reviewed annually

Salaries are reviewed annually to reflect performance, development and contribution to the business.

Bi-annual team performance bonus

Paid twice yearly following successful completion of probation, this bonus is directly linked to overall company performance and represents a meaningful proportion of annual remuneration.

25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays

Annual leave is offered in addition to bank holidays. Leave can be bought or sold to suit individual circumstances, with carry-over available in line with company policy. We operate a workplace pension scheme with employer contributions.

Fully funded professional membership and chartership fees

CIWEM membership and chartership application fees are fully funded as part of our structured development pathway.

Practical travel benefits

Employees have access to discounted bus and train travel through the Manor Royal BID scheme.