Environmental Consultant

Salary
Graduate: £15,000 - £20,000
Employee with 10-15 years in the role: £25,000 - £40,000

Main Employers

• Central government and local authorities
• Civil engineering firms
• Environmental consultancies
• NGOs
• Pressure and conservation groups

Job Profile
Environmental consultants work in water pollution, air and land contamination, environmental impact assessment, environmental audit, waste management, environmental policy, ecological/land management, noise and vibration measurement and environmental management. Environmental consultants usually work on a contractual basis, with the majority of their work based around site investigations, environmental impact assessments and environmental audits. Consultants also help companies to achieve environmental standards such as the ISO 14000 series.

Role and Responsibilities
Jobs will vary according to each employer; however you could expect to be involved in:

• Carrying out environmental impact assessments and environmental audits
• Preparing environmental statements for planning, financial or insurance requirements
• Collecting, interpreting and presenting data
• Conducting field surveys
• Developing environmental management systems
• Preparing proposals and bids

Qualifications
Relevant further education subjects include: Applied Chemistry; Ecology; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Engineering; Environmental Management; Geology; Geophysics; Hydrogeology; Organic Chemistry; Wildlife Management

Consultancies are very competitive to enter. A good honours degree is the minimum entry qualification and entry is not possible with an HND only. A postgraduate qualification is advisable and choosing a dissertation linked to an employer can help build contacts.

Acquiring experience should be a main priority. Paid casual work is rarely advertised and will often be offered to those who have already shown commitment as a volunteer. In addition to academic qualifications, membership of a professional body such as the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) is useful. CIWEM provides training, debating, networking and socialising opportunities, and offers a student membership scheme which can provide useful contacts for the future.

Career Development
There are over 550 environmental consultancies in the UK. Due to changes in legislation, there are increases in employment opportunities in environmental impact assessment, waste management, climate change, contaminated land, integrated pollution prevention and control, noise management and sustainability. Many vacancies are filled through personal contacts so it is important to network during the early stages. Career progression starts after two years' worth of experience, with plenty of opportunities to work overseas.

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