Job Description

Together we are Trusted to Serve Scotland.
Ready to own your future? At Scottish Water, our graduate programmes empower you to drive change, tackle real challenges, and shape Scotlands future. This is more than just a launchpad for your career it's an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. As part of our team, youll play a key role in delivering essential services and infrastructure that help Scotland flourish every day.
Youll 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. Start a career thats built for you, today.
What youll do
As a Health & Safety Specialist Graduate, youll be right where the action is working on major construction and infrastructure projects that shape Scotlands future. From day one, youll be embedded in our Health & Safety team, supporting both our in-house project teams and the external contractors delivering our 3850 million-a-year Capital Investment Programme.
Youll gain hands-on experience across a wide range of live projects helping to make sure safety is built into everything we do, not bolted on at the end. Whether you're reviewing plans, advising on best practice, or supporting teams on site, youll be playing a vital role in protecting the people behind the projects.
Over the two-year programme, youll rotate through a variety of placements that will grow your knowledge, confidence, and technical skills. With structured training, mentoring, and real-world responsibility, youll develop into a capable, trusted Health & Safety professional.
Our Health & Safety team supports safe delivery across Scottish Waters Capital Investment Programme. Working closely with project managers, engineers, and contractors, we advise on best practices, legislative compliance, and risk management ensuring the safety, health, and wellbeing of everyone working on or affected by our infrastructure projects.
At the end of the programme, youll move into a permanent role as a Health & Safety Advisor, with a tailored development plan to help you work towards Chartered Safety and Health Practitioner (CMIOSH) status through IOSH.
Achieving CMIOSH means youll be recognised as a highly skilled professional in health and safety, demonstrating both your expertise and commitment to the field. Its a key milestone for advancing your career, opening doors to new opportunities and senior roles.
How does the graduate programme work?
Youll be employed on a permanent contract from Day One, with a starting salary of 329,000.
As you progress through the programme and reach key milestones, youll be rewarded with salary increases that recognise your growth and commitment to ongoing learning. Upon completing the programme, youll move into a permanent Health & Safety Advisor role, starting from 333,560. For more details, please visit .
Youll be part of a cohort of c.30 graduates, giving you an instant and invaluable network of contacts throughout the business.
There is plenty of support. As well as your day-to-day manager, well match you up with a mentor who will support and coach you as you go through your programme.
Youll have access to both structured and informal training designed to equip you with the skills you need now, and in the future.
What youll need
Youll have graduated within the last three years (or be on track to graduate this summer) with a degree in a relevant discipline such as Health & Safety, or Engineering. Were looking for a minimum 2:2 classification.
Youll need to be passionate about health, safety and wellbeing and have a real desire to build a career where you can positively impact peoples lives every day.
An understanding of current H&S legislation is key. You should also be someone who works well with others, takes initiative, and brings energy and enthusiasm to every challenge.
Youll need a valid UK driving licence and regular access to a vehicle, as some placements will involve travel to sites across Scotland.
In terms of essential requirements? Thats it.
But heres the thing: We get thousands of applications for our Graduate roles each year. What makes the best candidates stand out?
Here are a few things we love to see:
CVs that tell us more than what grades you earned over the years. Show us what youve learned. What you love. What your aspirations are.
Cover letters that tell us why youre interested in Scottish Water (and in this role)
People who use their application to show that they are Bold, Responsible, Inspiring and Caring.
Looking out for you
While the work we do is important, its not the only thing that matters. Thats why we make sure you have everything you need to find a good work-life balance.
Youll get plenty of time to recharge with 38 days of holiday every year (including public holidays). And you can even buy five more if you need a little extra time. You can also take paid time off to volunteer in your community.
When it comes to major life events we have family-friendly policies around adoption, maternity, and parental leave. And for the everyday? We embrace flexible working.
For your future, theres our pension (the xe2x80x98know-what-youll-get-when-you-retire kind), as well as life assurance.
As for some nice extras? You can expect an annual company bonus. Not to mention access to SW Splash handy rewards that can save you money on holidays, bills, and shopping.
What happens next?
The closing date for applications is Sunday the 27th of May.
Assessment activity will kick off in week commencing 9th of June with some surprisingly fun (no, really!) online testing.
Final face-to-face interviews will happen during ween commencing the 30th of June. Where you can give us a good grilling too.
If you accept a place on the programme, youll go through some pre-employment screening during the Spring, including a criminal record check.
All our new Graduates will start together in September, with a week-long induction event in Glasgow. Youll learn more about the organisation, meet our leaders, visit some of our operational sites, start making friends, and have a lot of fun.
A few final things worth knowingxe2x80xa6
Research shows that some people avoid applying for jobs unless they can meet every single criteria. If youre interested in this job, but dont tick all the boxes, apply anyway! We hardly ever hire people who can do every part of a job from Day One. Everyone has a learning curve. So dont rule yourself out!
Let us know if there are any changes we can make to our recruitment process to help you perform at your best. Lots of our people have disabilities or neurodiverse conditions (including some of our recruiters!). We're also aware that some people might be experiencing temporary challenges because of life events, like menopause. Were very used to making adjustments, so please dont be afraid to ask.
As part of our commitment to developing a flourishing Scotland, its important that all our employees are Scottish taxpayers. If you join us, your home address will need to be in Scotland. If you dont already live here, you'll need to commit to moving here within your first three months.
Finally (finally!), candidates who havent submitted an application in the last 12 months will have their records removed from our recruitment database. You wont need to do anything. Your data will be automatically deleted.
Were here to help. Ask us anything at