Please note: This role may close soon depending on the level of interest so don’t miss out!
Thank you for your interest in applying for this role. We’d like to remind you that you must ensure you are eligible for this scheme before applying. Please read through the eligibility criteria below carefully and ensure that you are eligible before applying. This application will also contain a series of questions to establish whether or not you are eligible. It is important that you take great care in reading and answering these questions as we will not be able to revert your application if an error is made. Please Note: We only allow one application for any of our Graduate schemes per year. Any subsequent applications will be withdrawn Geographic Information System (GIS) Graduate Scheme
GIS is the tool which enables us to drive evidence-based decision-making, giving endless insight and ideas into how we can continue to provide a world leading service to members of the public.
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“Working at TfL hasn't just given me skills and knowledge in GIS, it's given me a deep understanding of how a global city moves and works.”
Salary £32,250, rising to £33,500 in the second year
Location London (Stratford or Southwark) with up to 50% Hybrid Working subject to business requirement.
What we offer You will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the business area but mostly include:
- Free travel on the TfL network for you and a nominee who lives in the same household
- Final salary pension scheme
- Discounted national rail and Eurostar travel
- Minimum 30 days Annual leave (Pro rata dependent on role) plus public and bank holidays.
- Private healthcare discounted scheme
- Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
- Retail, health, leisure and travel offers & many more
Duration
2 years
Entry requirements A minimum of a bachelor’s degree within the field of GIS, Geography, Geomatics, Surveying, Environment or a STEM related subject with a grade of 2:2 or higher, or post-Grad qualification within a relevant field.
Successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the scheme, as at the start date. This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa scheme. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, or only have a right to work here for a limited time which is lesser than the duration of the scheme, you should be aware that TfL will be unable to sponsor you for this role.
Please Note: We only allow one application for any of our Graduate schemes per year. Any subsequent applications will be withdrawn. Start Date 7 th September 2026
Job Overview
GIS is a broad subject with many ways to answer the same question and that’s no different within TfL. We apply GIS to everything, from how we capture data in the field to un-picking complex problems in real-time. It's our job to capture, disseminate and visualise our spatial data and bring it to life for our users to enable the understanding of patterns and relationships.
Your approach to problems will be constantly iterated on to keep up within an aggressively innovative field which is continually branching into other subjects such as Data Science and Data Engineering. You will however be expected to build on a strong foundation of geographic competencies which will form the basis of your learning throughout your placements.
As we use GIS and geospatial data in wide variety of ways, you’ll be expected to communicate, interact and influence with a wide variety of people. As a subject matter expert for mapping and geospatial data you’ll also lead on geospatial analysis projects to help deliver insights for TfL to undertake effective change on our network.
As GIS spans across Maths, Science, Technology and Art you will need to be able to learn new skills quickly and have a keen eye for detail, a problem-solving mindset and excellent reasoning skills to succeed however you will be supported by a strong GIS analytical community and training opportunities to reach your potential.
What will I be doing? As a graduate, your 2-year development programme will be made up of 3 mandatory placements rotations of 6 months and 1 flexible placement, where you can choose where you provide geospatial support within TfL. Within each placement you will be introduced to new projects, datasets, and tools and you will be expected to deliver impactful work whilst simultaneously learning the skills you will need.
GIS is embedded within the organisation, and you can expect to work across a wide range of the organisation within the following teams:
Strategic Analysis (6 Months / Mandatory) - We provide the objective evidence, analysis and modelling that underpins the planning of London’s future. We analyse and interpret multi-modal transport, land-use, economic, environmental, societal and spatial data to understand how and why travel in London is changing. We develop scenarios for London's future and use multi-modal modelling to forecast how people will travel and which schemes and strategies are most effective in meeting MTS goals. We are the analytical arm of the Strategy Directorate and our GIS team plays an important role in this – focussing on advanced spatial analysis and creative visualisations, adding value to data and illustrating trends and patterns to inform decision-making.
Property Services (6 Months / Mandatory) - As part of the Business Services Directorate, the Property Services Division provides a full, high quality property consultancy service to clients within both the TfL Group and the wider GLA family. The Property Asset Register Team manages and maintains land ownership for TfL and GLA using GIS and CAD based systems, creates insight and innovation for Property Services and their stakeholders, and supports the wider business with a variety of property matters. You will work alongside GIS Developers, Land Information Managers and GIS/CAD experts to provide advice and support to enable TfL to maximise its estate and get the right land and property to deliver a strong green heartbeat for London.
TfL Engineering (6 Months / Mandatory) - As part of TfL’s Captial function, the TfL Engineering GIS Team focus is on the environment and our rail assets that form the foundation of our transport system. You will be involved in helping deliver clarity to difficult schematics and data challenges of mapping a 150-year-old rail network. You will support the delivery of GIS to over 1,700 users by centralising information within our GIS, RailMapper . You will learn skills end to end skills from how to build robust GIS applications to collecting spatial data on site and how to build extract, transform and load workflows.
Flexible Placement (6 Months) - The majority of TfL Staff interact with geospatial data in some form. Your flexible choice placement will be led by you but supported by your sponsor, to seek, plan and manage a placement which aligns with the GIS Graduate scheme to have a positive impact. Whether that change is related to Geospatial programming within our Technology & Products function, spatial data management for an operations team or application development to aid Compliance, that’s entirely up to you! You’ll be supported throughout by your Sponsor and Mentor to ensure you get the most from any proposed flexible placement.
You are expected to complete each of the mandatory placements plus 1 flexible placement outlined above. There is a lot of scope to tailor each placement to your skills and interests due to the breadth of work in each team. You will be expected to learn the fundamentals of applied GIS in line with the scheme competencies. Your placements may become more specialised or focussed in, for example, data science, modelling or data management if your interests move in that direction.
Sustainability Sustainability is intrinsic to TfL’s work ethos, and we ensure that we operate in a sustainable way to protect and regenerate the natural world.
We use GIS to from everything, from capturing tree planting locations, understanding flood risk impact and also modelling air quality, to help support the Mayors commitment to grow London as a Green City. You’ll be heavily involved in helping play a part in solving some of the growing climate challenges London faces.
Where can this career take me? Upon completing the scheme, you are expected to roll-off into one of our GIS teams and be an active participant in those communities. There will continue to be opportunities to grow and explore new areas, and collaboration between teams is encouraged. Equally, you may decide to specialise or progress to managing a small team of GIS Specialists. Transport for London is a large organisation with over 40 GIS professional roles available and many options for future development and projects to maintain your high level of curiosity.
What training and support will you get? Our award-winning teams will support your ongoing development, through a wide range of on-the-job practical experience and placements. We'll support your professional development through a combination of training, mentoring, and networking.
You will receive one-to-one support throughout the programme, including on-the-job training from experts, including your line manager and the following:
- Placement manager: Responsible for your day-to-day management and support with your development.
- Scheme sponsor: A senior manager who acts as a technical and professional adviser and has line manager responsibility.
- Mentor: Usually someone who has previous experience of a GIS graduate or apprentice programme who gives support to you and ensure that you feel welcomed in the organisation.
- Development adviser: Supports your professional development through providing career coaching and career progression at TfL
What do we look for? Our core values are extremely important to us, and we desire candidates who are:
- Caring about our colleagues, our customers and our work
- Open to each other, to new ideas and to working together
- Adaptable to diverse needs and willing to innovate
Application process The application process consists of 5 steps, including online assessments which will need to be completed within an allocated time frame. We highly recommend that you read through this document thoroughly so that you can familiarise yourself with the process.
Please click on this link for which describes each stage of the Graduates Application Process
If you already hold your qualification certificates, please upload copies of these to your application. If you are due to sit final exams or need to replace any certificates, these must be provided at a later stage.
You will receive information and guidance around each assessment stage as you progress through your application.
Please pay close attention to emails and deadlines provided noting you have 1 week to complete online assessments, and we cannot re-issue these tests once the deadline passes.
Assessment centres for graduates and intern roles will take place from December-January, please note that many roles only have 1 assessment day, and we are unable to guarantee alternative dates. We are conducting assessment centres in person and virtually (role dependent).
Our city. Made better by you. TfL is a place that’s open to your ideas. Where you can make a tangible impact and see the positive results of your work on the people and places around you. It’s a place where you can thrive and achieve. Where you’re encouraged and enabled and empowered to feel pride in the work you do. The clue is in the name, really. We work together for a better London. A better place for everyone. Constantly improving and enhancing how we operate to shape a city of the future.
Inclusive recruitment process We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all the essential criteria.
In High Volume campaigns including Graduate, Apprentice and Intern recruitment the minimum criteria we set is achieving a pass mark in our first stage assessments, adopting a proportionate approach as part of the Disability Confident scheme.
Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments for any stages of the application process. What Qualifications will I gain?
Throughout your placement you will build your portfolio using the framework provided for Chartered Geographer ( CGeog ) status from the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) or Chartered Surveyor in Geomatics (MRICS) from The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). You will get Fellowship as part of the process and be supported in building your chartership portfolio. There will also be potential to also gain professionally recognised accreditation with more specifics GIS vendors as well.
Meet the Graduate/Alumni “I first used GIS while studying Environmental Science at university, where I learnt how powerful it can be for making better decisions about our environment and cities. The GIS graduate scheme at Transport for London has given me great opportunities to explore this in practice. In just one year on the scheme, I’ve significantly developed my GIS and spatial analysis skills, learnt to use a range of new software, and contributed to several high-profile projects that have been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. During my first placement in Strategic Analysis, I enjoyed working alongside city planners to help improve connectivity across London. In my second placement with Property Services, I helped develop a field survey app and space management tool to support more efficient use of space across TfL’s depot sites. It's great that as a graduate, you are trusted to contribute to work that genuinely benefits millions of people across London every day. The GIS community at TfL is active, collaborative and supportive, making this start to my career feel exciting rather than daunting.” – India
“I discovered GIS during my first year at university and, since then, I have been exploring different GIS applications and methods to understand how geography and the applied side of it can help us know more about the world we live in and how we can improve it.
The transportation industry, in which TfL plays a massive role, is surely one area where GIS knowledge and skills can make a difference. In my first year of the scheme, I’d developed an interactive web map that allows users to know where transport assets are located at all times. I also developed a spatial dataset that informs bus drivers about the speed limit of the road they are driving on, improving safety and security for everyone in London. TfL is a great environment, not only to learn more about GIS and data in general, but also on a social and personal level.” - Ovi
Contact us Contact the recruitment team by:
Phone: 0203 005 1680 (Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17.30)
Email: EarlyCareersCampaigns@tfl.gov.uk
Organisation
HR Director
Job
Geographic Information Systems Associate
Position Type
Full Time
