Graduate Flood Risk and Drainage Consultant: Unda

Salary: £24,000–£26,000 per annum (full-time), depending on qualifications and experience, plus bi-annual performance bonus
Contract: Permanent
Location: Crawley, West Sussex

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 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, along with access to major road links. Local amenities, shops and green spaces are within walking distance.

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 provide detailed, site-specific technical advice covering Flood Risk Assessments, surface and foul water drainage strategies, SuDS design, Sequential and Exception Tests and flood modelling.

Our work supports development projects across the full planning process, from early site appraisal through to detailed drainage design and discharge of planning conditions. We also undertake flood risk and drainage assessments for insurance, land acquisition, due diligence, conveyancing and business continuity purposes.

Alongside private-sector consultancy, we support Local Planning Authorities and Lead Local Flood Authorities with flood and drainage responsibilities, providing technical input into regulatory decision-making. Where required, we coordinate complementary services such as surveying and geotechnical investigations to ensure clients receive coherent technical advice.

Unda operates as a focused, technically rigorous consultancy. We prioritise clear analysis, defensible reporting and direct communication, enabling clients to understand and manage flood risk and drainage constraints within development and property decisions.

The Role

As a Graduate Flood Risk & Drainage Consultant, you will assist with the preparation of Flood Risk Assessments and Drainage Strategies across a range of advisory and development projects.

Projects commonly support planning applications, land acquisition and due diligence, property transactions, insurance assessments and regulatory advice. Through this work you will develop an understanding of how flood risk policy, hydrology, hydraulic modelling and site-specific constraints influence development viability and property risk.

The role combines technical analysis, report preparation and drainage design, alongside engagement with clients and regulators. Graduates are supported through structured mentoring and review while developing the technical judgement required for professional consultancy work.

What You Will Learn

Through this role you will develop practical experience in:

• Preparing Flood Risk Assessments and drainage strategies for real development projects
• Applying national planning policy and flood risk guidance in professional consultancy work
• Interpreting hydrological, hydraulic and environmental datasets to inform technical advice
• Designing Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and understanding drainage design constraints
• Communicating technical findings clearly to clients, regulators and planning authorities
• Understanding how flood risk and drainage considerations influence development viability and planning decisions

Key Responsibilities

Flood Risk Assessment

• 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 climate change allowances and assessing future flood risk scenarios in accordance 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

Drainage Strategy & SuDS Design

• Preparing foul and surface water drainage strategy reports at outline, full and discharge of conditions stages
• Undertaking runoff calculations and supporting the sizing of attenuation storage and discharge controls in line with greenfield or policy-driven runoff targets
• Applying the drainage hierarchy and evaluating infiltration potential using available ground investigation data
• Designing Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in accordance 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
• Designing exceedance flow routing and considering overland flow pathways within development layouts
• Interpreting topographical surveys, ground investigation data and utility records to inform drainage 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

Essential

• 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 genuine interest in understanding the underlying mechanisms of flood risk and drainage design, rather than simply applying standard guidance
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to structure clear and defensible technical reports
• Willingness to discuss technical findings in internal and client discussions
• Comfortable working with technical datasets, maps and modelling outputs
• 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

Desirable

• 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 emerging AI-assisted tools and experience using them to support research, analysis or drafting, alongside 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.

Who This Role Suits

This role suits graduates who enjoy analytical problem-solving and want to understand the mechanisms behind flood risk and drainage design rather than simply applying standard guidance.

It will appeal to individuals who are comfortable working with technical datasets, maps and modelling outputs, and who enjoy developing structured technical arguments in written reports.

The role is particularly well suited to those who value responsibility early in their career and who want to work in a small, specialist consultancy environment where individual contribution is visible.

Development & Career Progression

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.

Full project lifecycle exposure
Team members are involved across the full project lifecycle — from scoping and quotation through to design, regulator engagement and delivery — building both technical and commercial capability.

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.

Graduates also receive training in the technical tools used by the consultancy, including GIS platforms, drainage modelling software and CAD systems.

Working Environment & Culture

A specialist, close-knit consultancy
Unda operates as a focused flood risk and drainage consultancy with a small, cohesive team. Everyone works closely together and individual contribution is visible. There is no separation between “junior” and “senior” teams — collaboration is central to how projects are delivered.

Agile and responsive structure
We are structured to respond quickly to changing client requirements and evolving policy. Decision-making is direct and proportionate, allowing projects to progress efficiently without unnecessary layers of management.

High standards and technical integrity
We take pride in producing robust, defensible reports that withstand regulatory scrutiny. Peer review, open technical discussion and attention to detail are embedded in day-to-day delivery.

Collaborative and accountable
Team members are encouraged to challenge ideas constructively, contribute to technical discussions and take ownership of outcomes. Support and accountability operate together — individuals are trusted with responsibility and expected to deliver to a high standard.

Commercially aware and outcome-focused
Our work must be technically rigorous while also commercially viable and practical for clients. Understanding project objectives, timescales and development constraints is therefore an important part of our consultancy approach.

Strong team cohesion
Regular team days and activities help maintain alignment, collaboration and shared direction as the business grows.

Reward & Financial Benefits

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

Bi-annual team performance bonus
Paid twice a year following successful completion of probation, this discretionary bonus is linked to overall company performance and represents a significant proportion of total annual remuneration.

25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
Annual leave is provided in addition to bank holidays. Leave can be bought or sold to suit individual circumstances, with carry-over available in line with company policy.

Pension scheme
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.

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

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please click the Apply button at the top of this page, or email your CV and a brief covering letter to careers@unda.co.uk. Your covering letter should explain your interest in flood risk and drainage consultancy and why you would like to work at Unda.