Tetra Tech 2027 Graduate Scheme: Your launchpad to a consultancy career
Join Tetra Tech’s two-year Graduate Scheme and begin your career with hands-on experience, expert mentorship and a tailored development plan. You’ll work on a variety of real-world projects, develop technical and professional skills, and be encouraged to share your ideas and shape your future.
We are seeking talented graduates to join our growing Water Quality and Coastal Modelling teams in Belfast. You’ll contribute to technically challenging and environmentally important projects involving water quality assessment, hydrodynamic and coastal modelling, environmental impact assessment, marine consenting, offshore renewable energy, and coastal flood and erosion risk management.
Purpose & scope of the role
As a Graduate Water Quality and Coastal Modelling Consultant, you’ll work alongside experienced engineers, modellers and environmental scientists to support the delivery of water, coastal and marine projects.
You’ll gain exposure to a diverse range of technical activities, which may include coastal modelling of tides, waves, sediment transport and dispersion, as well as water quality assessments involving catchment delineation, rainfall and river-flow modelling, calibration and solution development.
Working with hydrological, met-ocean, spatial and environmental data, you’ll learn how to analyse and interpret information to support technical reports, Environmental Statement chapters, marine consenting applications and client presentations. You’ll work closely with engineers, environmental scientists, planners, GIS specialists and project managers to help deliver practical, evidence-based solutions.
From the outset, you’ll be supported by experienced industry specialists and given opportunities to develop your technical knowledge across water, coastal and marine environments. This is an excellent opportunity to build your career within a leading consultancy while contributing to projects that support sustainable development and protect our natural environment.
Your impact in this position
As a Graduate Water Quality and Coastal Modelling Consultant, you’ll support the delivery of modelling, data analysis and environmental assessment projects across Ireland and the UK.
In the short term, you’ll contribute to defined technical tasks, including organising and quality-checking data, supporting modelling activities, preparing figures and tables, and contributing to technical reports. You’ll also have opportunities to attend client meetings, participate in site visits and gain an understanding of the wider project delivery process.
As your experience develops, you’ll take greater ownership of technical tasks and contribute to defined work packages under the guidance of senior colleagues. You’ll gain valuable experience supporting environmental assessments, marine consenting applications and projects relating to water quality, offshore energy, marine development, coastal flooding and erosion risk management.
With the support of senior colleagues, structured mentoring and a comprehensive graduate development programme, you’ll build the technical knowledge, practical experience and professional confidence needed to progress your career. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop specialist expertise in water quality, hydraulic, hydrodynamic or coastal modelling.
What to expect
- Mentorship & Support: Learn from experienced professionals and receive guidance from a dedicated technical mentor in your chosen discipline.
- Structured Learning: Benefit from a blend of formal training, project-based learning, and self-directed study.
- Personal Development: Build your consultancy skills through a mix of technical and interpersonal training, with regular feedback and reviews.
- Community: Start with a central induction alongside your graduate peers and become part of a collaborative, supportive network.
Programme highlights
- Central induction and ongoing support from your line manager and mentor.
- In-depth technical training in your core discipline, plus exposure to a tailored series of technical and interpersonal topics.
- Quarterly development reviews to track your progress.
- Opportunities to shadow senior colleagues and contribute to diverse projects.
Your Pathway: You’ll be assigned a location, cost centre, line manager, and a ‘home’ technical discipline based on your qualifications and business needs. If you wish to explore a different discipline at the end of the programme, we’ll consider this based on your interests and business requirements.
Chartered Management Institute (CMI) partnership
As part of the scheme, you’ll have access to the CMI Foundation Chartered Manager pathway through flexible, online Bite Size programs. Choose from a range of topics, including Managing Change, Leading in a Digital Age, Conflict Resolution, Project Management, and Data-Driven Decision Making, to build your leadership and management skills.
CMI Bite Size benefits
- Short, focused modules you can complete at your own pace
- Practical insights to strengthen your management capabilities
- Internationally recognised certification upon completion
- Option to progress to a Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management
Each program consists of three concise modules (totalling 85-135 minutes), scheduled in your second year. Complete activity sheets to demonstrate your learning and earn your Foundation Chartered Manager certification.
Qualifications
You must have achieved, or be on track to achieve, a relevant degree in Geography, Environmental Science, Coastal Science, Oceanography, Coastal or Maritime Engineering, Engineering or another relevant STEM or environmental discipline.
We welcome applications from candidates who may not have direct experience of numerical modelling but can demonstrate strong analytical ability, an interest in the water and environmental sectors, and a willingness to learn.
Working environment
Initially, you will be based full-time in our Belfast office during your probation period to support your onboarding, development and mentoring. Following successful completion of your probation, the role will move to a hybrid working arrangement, with an expectation of three days per week in the office to support ongoing collaboration and team coordination.
The office is located on the edge of the city, with on-site parking, strong public transport connections and easy access to major road networks. Flexible working arrangements may be accommodated where project responsibilities allow.
You’ll work in a multidisciplinary environment with exposure to significant projects across marine, coastal, regeneration, renewable energy and water-related developments. We place a strong emphasis on employee wellbeing, professional development and creating a supportive environment in which graduates can build their confidence and capability.
Why join Tetra Tech?
Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services working across the full project lifecycle worldwide. We have a wide range of expertise across our teams, providing a global support network with a personalised approach to client relationships to better understand where we can add value. We provide a collaborative environment that supports individual performance, innovation, and creativity.
We support public and private sector clients on local, national, and international projects to deliver sustainable and resilient solutions. Our operations in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands include more than 6,000 employees who are Leading with Science® to solve our clients’ most complex problems.
Recruitment agencies
We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list and any submitted will be taken as a gift.
