Environmental careers

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The following map gives brief details of most of the environmental and conservation careers available to graduates with these degree subjects.

Top ten specialisms required by Environmental Employers

Waste management
Energy Management
Sustainable Development
Environmental Management and Auditing
Water and Waste Water Management
Greenhouse Gas and Carbon Management
Pollution Prevention and Control
Health and Safety Management
Contaminated Land & Remediation
Renewable Energy and Clean Energy

Source: ENDS Directory

PROFILE: Environmental Consultant

Works on client contracts on environmental audits, environmental impact assessments, water pollution, waste management and environmental policy. There is a growing movement towards the greener corporation and running business in a sustainable manner. There are a number of standards that corporations can aspire to, such as EMAS and ISO 14000 series. Companies often seek consultancy advice to help them assess their current environmental footprint then to help them acquire an appropriate standard. This is becoming increasingly important as it is forced along the supply chain - i.e. one company only purchasing from another which has acquired the necessary certification.

Tasks include: Preparing proposals and bids. Managing projects. Carrying out environmental impact assessments - evaluating the consequences of proposed developments (e. g. new roads) in relation to the environment. Carrying out environmental audits. Environmental planning. Environmental law - landfill, waste disposal, pollution and similar issues.

Preparing environmental statements for planning, financial or insurance requirements. Design and planning e. g. of water treatment plants. Environmental strategy and marketing. Routine administration.

SKILLS: Spoken and Written Communication, Planning and organising, Analysing and investigating. Experience of Geographic Information System (ArcView or MapInfo GIS).

EMPLOYERS: Environmental consultancies e.g. E.ON and civil engineering firms.

SATISFACTIONS: Working in the environment and variety of work.

NEGATIVES: Initial salary. Job security. Much routine administration. Much overtime and pressures to meet deadlines. The need for the consultancy to make a profit may override environmental considerations.

TIPS: Very competitive to enter. A science degree or environmental degree is preferred, occasionally law, finance or business studies accepted. Masters degree in Environmental Impact Analysis and Assessment, Pollution Control or Environmental Law will greatly aid entry. Need to do relevant voluntary work, talk to anyone working in the environmental field and make speculative applications to consultancies. Can move from being a technical specialist to project management.

See the ENDS Directory for lists of consultancies www.endsdirectory.com/search

Read Sue Searle's excellent book "How to become an Ecological Consultant".

PROFILE: Nature Conservation Officer

Implements schemes for the creation and protection of habitats. Develops and implements biodiversity action plans and habitat management plans. Advises members of the public, developers and landowners. Supervises volunteers. Deals with enquiries form the public. Gives talks and prepares promotional materials on conservation.

EMPLOYERS: Environmental bodies such as English Nature, charities such as Friends of the Earth, local authorities.

SATISFACTIONS: Helping the environment, working outdoors.

NEGATIVES: Can be unsocial hours. Very competitive to enter.

DEGREE: environmental or biological degree preferred. Any degree subject possible but would need to get a relevant Masters degree.

TIPS: Get lots of voluntary work experience with environmental organisations.

PROFILE: Ecologist

Ecologist. Works with other ecologists helping plan and undertake floral and faunal surveys. Assists with planning and preparation of ecological surveys. Undertakes floral and faunal surveys in support of a range of projects. Collates, writes up, and analyse ecological data for inclusion in environmental impact assessments and other ecology reports. Carries out background research in support of technical reports. Provides support to other team members on a range of tasks.

EMPLOYERS: Environmental consultancies such as AMEC www.amec.com/careers and British Airports Authority. See the ENDS Directory of Environmental Consultants www.ends.co.uk

SATISFACTIONS: lots of variety; having a positive impact on the environment.

NEGATIVES: Lots of competition for jobs.

SKILLS: Good understanding of relevant environmental legislation, knowledge of the role of ecology within the planning process and an understanding of ecological systems. Experience of undertaking bird, botanical or protected species surveys is valuable, though training would be provided. Good IT skills including word processing, databases and spreadsheets valuable. Experience of Geographic Information System (ArcView or MapInfo GIS) an advantage, . Good report writing, communication and verbal presentation skills. Full UK driving license normally required. You should be an intelligent, outgoing, reliable, self motivated and organised person. With the ability to work motivated on one's own and as an active team member and prepared to travel. Good interpersonal skills and keen to work within a consultancy.

DEGREE: relevant environmental degree required.

TIPS: Get voluntary experience with environmental organisations. See the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management website www.ieem.net organisation for environmental professionals

Read Sue Searle's excellent book "How to become an Ecological Consultant".

PROFILE: Environmental Health Officer

Investigates any environmental threats to the population of the local authority they work for. These might include air, water or noise pollution. Visits restaurants and shops to check hygiene standards and prosecute offenders when necessary.

INVOLVES: Inspecting shops & restaurants to check hygiene. Visiting industrial companies to check for pollution. Visiting houses to check complaints from neighbours about noise & other issues. Taking scientific samples & measurements. Prosecuting when necessary. Keeping up to date with legislation.

EMPLOYERS: Local Authorities. Some large food retailers

RELATED JOBS: police officer, customs officer, trading standards officer, factory inspector, health education officer.

SATISFACTIONS: Protecting the public & the environment. Varied work. Getting out & about a lot & meeting people.

NEGATIVES: Can involve confrontation & occasional abuse when needing to enforce the law. Visiting slaughterhouses & sometimes filthy premises.

SKILLS: investigating, negotiating, persuading, listening, analysing.

DEGREE: Science/Engineering/Law Degrees preferred.

VACANCY SOURCES: Environmental Health News, Municipal Journal, www.lgjobs.com , Guardian (Wednesday) Also the Municipal Yearbook for addresses of Local Authorities.

TIPS: You might initially start working as an environmental health assistant before being sponsored on a relevant training course. Contact County and City Councils re jobs.

Must get the MSc/Diploma in Environmental Health. Apply to accredited environmental health courses, then ask Local Authorities for sponsorship - this can be difficult to obtain, so you may need to consider self funding if unsuccessful. The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health website www.cieh.org includes a careers section

Nature Conservation Warden/Ranger.

Manages habitats in national or country parks, wildlife trusts or private estates. Involves practical conservation, ecological surveys, managing visitors, supervising volunteers and educational work. Seasonal Ranger posts can be a good starting point and are sometimes advertised in the Environment Post. Geographical information Systems skills, plus any farming skills, such as a chainsaw licence, and of course a driving licence will be of value for these types of jobs.

There are not many jobs in this area as very few people move on from this work once they have got a job in it! There is a growth in landscape scale conservation - working with landowners to improve habitats on their estates, alsdo Heritage Lottery funded proposals have genetreated a lot of new work.

What skills does a modern conservationist need? World Land Trust article
www.worldlandtrust.org/news/2016/12/skills-does-modern-conservationist-need?

Scientific Officer/Field Survey Worker

Designs experiments and field studies and evaluates results. Monitors the distribution of plants and animals. Works in government funded agencies or wildlife protection organisations.

Fundraiser

There are always jobs in this and it can be a good starting point for new entrants when other paid jobs are competitive and scarce.

Water

Water Quality Officer. Works for water authorities on water sampling, surveys, water quality analysis, pollution control and water treatment. Water companies often have taken graduate trainees. See Prospects Water Quality Scientist profile www.prospects.ac.uk/water_quality_scientist.htm
Hydrologists/Hydrogeologists study water flows through channels and the associated water bearing rock formations. They usually work for water companies but also for public sector organisations and environmental consultants. See the UK Groundwater Forum www.groundwateruk.org for information on careers. There is a shortage of hydrogeologists and the field is open to graduates from earth science and environmental disciplines but also scientific, maths and civil engineering backgrounds.

Oceanography, Marine Sciences and Diving

Marine biology is a growth area at the moment due to legislation on marine protected areas.

Oceanographer Occupational Profile www.prospects.ac.uk/links/oceanographer
Marine Scientist Occupational Profiles www.prospects.ac.uk/links/ marinesci
Society for Underwater Technology www.sut.org.uk
Careers in Oceanography www.nature.com/naturejobs/2008/081127/pdf/nj7221-540a.pdf
Careers in Oceanography, marine science and marine biology – links from the USA http://ocean.peterbrueggeman.com/career.html
National Oceanography Centre, Southampton www.noc.soton.ac.uk
School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor www.sos.bangor.ac.uk
Marine Biology & Ecology Research Centre, Plymouth www.research.plymouth.ac.uk/mberc
Dept. of Earth & Ocean Sciences, NUI, Galway, Ireland www.nuigalway.ie/eos
Career Profiles from the Irish Marine Institute www.marine.ie/home/aboutus/jobs/profiles
Useful Diving Links from the Health & Safety Executive www.hse.gov.uk/diving/links.htm
“I Want to be a Diver” International Marine Contractors Association
www.imca-int.com/documents/careers/IMCA-Careers-wtb-Diver.pdf
Careers in the Subsea Industry www.theunderwatercentre.co.uk/careers.asp
Royal Navy www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers career roles include Hydrographic, Meteorological and Oceanographic Specialists and Mine Clearance Diver

Other Environmental Jobs

Ecotourism.
Environmental Administrator. A number of environmental bodies such as the Environment Agency and the Department of the Environment employ administrators.
Environmental Reporting takes place in energy and water companies. Also organisations that have an impact on the natural environment, for example oil companies. In addition, many companies contract this work to specialist Environmental consultants, who generally recruit people after a few years of experience. Postgraduate qualifications in environmental subjects are normally desirable.
Research. Many of the research jobs in industry are not strictly environment-related, but are in engineering, energy, public sector research laboratories and related areas where an environment degree may make a good starting point. You may get a job as a trainee research scientist with a good first degree but for those wanting a long term career in research it may be advisable to study for a doctorate. Soft skills such as report writing, ability to make presentations, project management and computer skills are becoming increasingly important.
Conservation Volunteer Organisations such as BTCV, Kent Wildlife Trust and the National Trust take conservation volunteers. Often this is a necessary first step if you wish to become a reserve warden. Volunteers are often given board and lodging plus a small amount of money and usually placements last for a few months.
Teaching. This may be the easiest way to do a job related to the environment. The Postgraduate Certificate of Education Course (PGCE) lasts one year. It's not that difficult to obtain a place on a science PGCE provided that you can show some evidence of interest in teaching such as voluntary work at a school. Remember though that you need to apply well in advance for courses. Some environmental graduates have become tutors at field centres and ward bound instructors. There is a shortage of science teachers, who are eligible for a bursary during training.
Landscape Architect www.iwanttobealandscapearchitect.com For a list of postgraduate courses see www.iwanttobealandscapearchitect.com/becoming/courses/graduate.html There is a current shortage of Landscape Architects 50% of practices turned down work due to lack of staff in 2008
Horticulture www.growcareers.info
Agricultural/Medical/Veterinary Sales Representative Employed by pharmaceutical and chemical companies to promote medicines or fertilizers to doctors, veterinary surgeons or farmers respectively. You need to enjoy driving, as your car is your office. A useful route into areas such as marketing and sales management.
Information Scientist Monitors and stores scientific information from a range of publications and databases and uses this information to answer queries from scientists and engineers.
Other biodiversity graduates have gone on to become an animal welfare officer with the RSPCA and a zookeeper.

Change career by going green THE GUARDIAN

'Green-collar' jobs in the environmental sector are growing - and increasingly attracting professionals from other areas in search of a fresh start

Employers of biodiversity/environmental graduates

Local government
Water companies
The Environment Agency
Department of the Environment
National Parks
Conservation Organisations
Environmental Consultants
Industrial Companies
Department of Trade and Industry
DEFRA
Schools, Colleges and Universities

Jobs outside the environmental field

Environment graduates are attractive to many employers because of their personal transferable skills rather than the specific skills that they have gained during their degree course. These skills include the ability to analyse information in a logical way, numeracy and problem solving skills and computing skills. They range from health and social welfare occupations to commercial, professional and managerial jobs, such as marketing. Graduates have also entered administration, information work, sales, teaching and the media.

Recycling, Carbon management, Energy management, Waste management, Urban regeneration and Sustainability Careers

PROFILE: Recycling Officer/Waste Management Professional

Works on waste disposal, developing new techniques or disposing of waste and recycling, and monitoring the environmental effects of waste disposal. Promotes recycling in the community and the media. Monitors recycling banks and waste collection. Manages recycling collection. improves the organisation's carbon footprint. Introduces alternative travel options; car share schemes, bicycle riding training and loan schemes to buy bikes.

EMPLOYERS: local authorities, universities and waste disposal companies.

SATISFACTIONS: lots of variety; having a positive impact on the environment.

NEGATIVES: competition for jobs.

SKILLS: driving, persuasiveness, practical.

DEGREE: any degree subject possible, but an environmentally-related degree will help. There are a number of relevant Masters degrees including: MA Environmental Engineering - Nottingham University/Imperial College, MSc Waste Management - Cranfield University/Southampton University/Central Lancs University/University of Wales Institute/University of Glamorgan.

TIPS: Get voluntary experience with environmental organisations and talk to staff at your local recycling centre.

Waste Management Officer Profile www.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/waste_management_officer_job_description.jsp

Directory of Waste Management companies www.letsrecycle.com/directory/waste-management-companies.html

Chartered Institute of Waste Management www.ciwm.co.uk

www.greenenergyjobs.com/career-guide

Energy solutions www.greenenergypartners.co.uk/energy-management-solutions

Waste Management and Low Carbon Recruitment Agencies and Websites

Climate Nation www.climatenation.com conduit between UK employers and university graduates who are planning to enter the low carbon job market.
EDIE www.edie.net Environmental News and Jobs Board.
Renew-Reuse-Recycle www.renew-reuse-recycle.com has a job board
LetsRecycle www.letsrecycle.com/jobfinder/jobfinder.jsp
LetsRecruit www.letsrecycle.com/letsrecruit/recruit.jsp waste industry jobs
www.lowcarbonjobs.com jobs and internships in the renewable energy, sustainability, carbon and climate sectors. Specialises in technical, engineering and policy roles and offers roles suitable for recent graduates. E.g.: Research and Support Intern (Fundraising), ecoConnect Corporate Sustainability Researcher (Internship), Planet Positive Home Energy Advisor - The Langholm Initiative, Junior Wind Developer - Dawn Energy.
WasteRecruit www.wasterecruit.com
Allen & York www.allen-york.com global environment, energy and waste jobs
Eden www.edenrecruitment.com
Evergreen www.evergreen.org.uk
Greenjobs Climate Change Jobs, Climate Jobs , Waste Jobs, Waste Management Jobs, Waste to Energy Jobs, Recycling Jobs, Low Carbon Jobs, Carbon Jobs , Sustainability Jobs, Sustainable Jobs, Sustainable Transport Jobs
Acre Resources http://acre.com environment, sustainability and climate change jobs
Veolia Environmental Services www.veoliaenvironmentalservices.co.uk waste management and recycling company
Katten elljay www.kattenelljay.co.uk operate solely in renewables, carbon and climate change jobs
Janikin rooke www.janikin-rooke.com energy jobs including Climate Change
LowCarbonEconomy.com www.lowcarboneconomy.com low carbon information, solutions and jobs
Monarch Recruitment www.monarchrecruitment.co.uk environmental and energy jobs - e.g. ecologist
Quanta Consulting www.quanta-consulting.com energy, environment and sustainability recruitment
Sustainable Jobs www.sustainable-jobs.com search engine for jobs and internships in Renewable Energy, Science & Technology, Environmental Internships, Green Management.
www.greenenergyjobs.com renewable energy vacancies
200,000 jobs to be created from recycling and reusing materials

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES & PRESSURE GROUPS

The Energy Saving Trust www.energysavingtrust.org.uk provide impartial information and advice and have a network of advice centres in the UK. Info about their work
The Carbon Trust www.carbontrust.co.uk independent company funded by government. Info about their work and vacancies.
Centre for Alternative Technology www.cat.org.uk

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT/URBAN REGENERATION ORGANISATIONS

Sustainable Development Unit www.defra.gov.uk/sustainable/government part of Defra
English Partnerships www.homesandcommunities.co.uk national regeneration agency helping government to support sustainable growth. Graduate training scheme.
Regional Development Agencies www.englandsrdas.com information about their work in sustainability. Also vacancies.
The Civic Trust Regeneration Unit www.civictrust.org.uk promotes and delivers regeneration initiatives working in partnership with local government, business, industry and the voluntary sector.
www.newstartmag.co.uk aimed at professionals working in sustainable communities
www.askwhatif.co.uk is a community website for people interested in careers that have a positive impact on other people’s lives and the community they live in. Includes downloadable career profiles.
Community Development Foundation www.cdf.org.uk intelligence, guidance and delivery on community development in the UK.

Postgraduate Courses

Environmental Policy, Planning and Regulation - London School of Economics and Political Science
Environmental Technology, Imperial College London

SPECIALIST URBAN/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANCIES

GFA www.gfa.co.uk services include research, consultancy, training and partnership development. Specialists in regeneration policy development and implementation, neighbourhood renewal, evaluation and knowledge management.
PACEC www.pacec.co.uk specialist economic and regeneration consultancy practice. Carries out economic development and regeneration strategies, appraisal and feasibility studies and implementation.
Ecotec www.ecotec.com international provider of research, consulting and management services for development, delivery and evaluation of public policy including regeneration & economic development
Enterprise www.enterprise.plc.uk supplies services for major utility companies including recycling.
GHK www.ghkint.com consultancy and architecture services including international development
AECOM www.aecom.com group of engineering, design and program management companies including energy, environment and water
Rocket Science Lab www.rocketsciencelab.co.uk support organisations and communities to improve their own effectiveness and performance.

REGENERATION VACANCY SOURCES

Regeneration and Renewal www.regen.net for regeneration professionals.
New Start www.newstartmag.co.uk independent resource for regeneration, economic development and sustainable renewal
Building4Jobs www.building4jobs.com/jobs/sustainability some sustainability vacancies

Skills gained studying biodiversity conservation

As part of your degree you should have developed scientific research and field survey skills, computing and data analysis skills, plus presentation and report writing skills. These skills are valuable in a wide range of careers, both environmentally related and non-environmentally related such as finance and computing. It is very important that you continue to develop these skills during your course by volunteering and short courses

For practical conservation jobs skills such as a chainsaw licence or the NPTC Agricultural Tractor Operation Certificate would help, as would GIS Skills. Arcview is a major GIS software packagewww.esri.com/software/arcview/index.html: you can download a 60 day free trial.MapInfo is another well known package. There is a summary of GIS Software hereYou'll find a list of GIS courses on www.hotcourses.com where there is also a list of short GIS courses.

What skills does a modern conservationist need? World Land Trust article

www.worldlandtrust.org/news/2016/12/skills-does-modern-conservationist-need?

Applications and interviews for environmental jobs

Many jobs in the environment field are not advertised - organisations get enough CVs from people applying speculatively to be able to fill their vacancies from these. This means you need to learn to network and to be persistent in your job search.

How to write a CV for the environment and sustainability sector - THE GUARDIAN

Highlighting project experience and proving you have the skills employers want can help your CV stand out

How to apply for a conservation job (advice from World Land Trust) www.worldlandtrust.org/resources/tips-for-job-applicants.htm

Breaking into the environment sector: tips from the graduates that made it The Guardian

Professional institutes helped me build a career in the environment sector The Guardian

ENVIRONMENTAL JOB VACANCY AND INFORMATION SOURCES

Change Agents www.changeagents.org.uk comprehensive website covering a range of different sectors to help graduates gain the knowledge and experience for a successful career in the environment.
British Ecological Society www.britishecologicalsociety.org superb on-line booklet on environmental careers.
ADC Environment www.environmentpost.co.uk recruitment service for environmental professionals. Also includes ‘The Environment Post’, a fortnightly magazine with job vacancies.
Countryside and environmental jobs www.countryside-jobs.com
Countryside Jobs Link www.countrysidejobslink.co.uk
The Guardian http://environment.guardian.co.uk
Earthworks www.earthworks-jobs.com Environmental and Geotechnical jobs
Information on environmentally-related organisations. Huge lists of environmental organisations!
- UK (pdf file: 2.9 MB - campus only)
- Overseas (pdf file: 1.5 MB campus only)
The EnviroLink Network www.envirolink.org/orgs links to environmental organisations across the world
Environment Careers www.environmentcareers.org.uk portal for environmental careers in the UK
EDIE (Environmental Data Interactive Exchange) www.edie.net environmental news, jobs, recruitment agency links
Environmental Organization Webdirectory www.webdirectory.com extensive links including an employment section (mainly USA ).
Environment Post www.environmentpost.co.uk major source of conservation vacancies
Ethical Junction www.ethical-junction.org an excellent starting point for students wishing to find employment and volunteer opportunities with organisations working within the ethical field including conservation. Has an online directory with nearly 400 members. It has a search facility.
GeographyJobs.co.uk www.geographyjobs.co.uk focus on jobs in the environment, GIS, education and more.
The Green Directory www.greendirectory.net/home.cfm lists environmental jobs in the UK
The Environmentalist - jobs www.environmentalistonline.com/jobs
www.greenjobs.co.uk wide range of green job vacancies
Green Jobs international www.kaufda.de/Umwelt-Jobs/jobs/Green-Jobs-international green job directory: fully-paid jobs, internships and volunteering opportunities. Based in Germany.
Nature Magazine www.nature.com jobs, news and events
Naturenet www.naturenet.net has a careers section
Natural Environment Research Council www.nerc.ac.uk information on awards, studentships, careers, job vacancies.
New Scientist www.newscientistgraduate.com access to the job adverts.
People and Planet - ethical careers www.peopleandplanet.org
Prospects Environment and conservation www.prospects.ac.uk/conservation
Stopdodo www.stopdodo.com Global site for environmental jobs and internships for students and graduates in ecology, climate change, conservation, sustainability, recycling
Student Force for Sustainability www.studentforce.org.uk provides specialist graduate recruitment with training and support for sustainable development projects in the public, private and voluntary sector

ENVIRONMENTAL RECRUITMENT AGENCIES

Acre Resources http://acre.com environment, sustainability and climate change jobs
www.allen-york.com global environment, energy and waste jobs
www.edenrecruitment.co.uk recruitment of experienced environmental professionals
Environment Job www.environmentjob.co.uk advertise jobs and volunteering opportunities in the environmental sector. Jobs from conservation through recycling to environmental education, and specialises in internships, volunteering and entry level positions suitable for students.
Evergreen Resources www.evergreen.org.uk site includes advice for graduates
www.indexenvironmental.co.uk recruit environemtal staff including waste management
GreenJobs Conservation Jobs, Environmental Jobs, Environment Jobs, Renewable Energy Jobs, Renewable Jobs, Solar Jobs, Water Jobs, Wind Jobs, Waste Jobs
JobsBarn www.jobsbarn.com
Monarch Recruitment www.monarchrecruitment.co.uk Environmental and energy jobs - e.g ecologist

COMMERCIAL EMPLOYERS INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANCIES

Water Companies and Fisheries

Anglian Water www.anglianwater.co.uk
Aquatic Network www.aquanet.com events in the aquatic world, also opportunities, including volunteering.
British Waterways www.britishwaterways.co.uk comprehensive information on British waterways, the environment and a recruitment section.
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science www.cefas.co.uk Fisheries research and consultancy
Fisheries Research Services www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/marine provides expert scientific and technical advice to Government on marine and freshwater fisheries, aquaculture and the protection of the aquatic environment.
OFWAT www.ofwat.gov.uk water regulator.
Thames Water www.thames-water.com recruits environmental trainees onto their Graduate Training scheme.
Water UK www.water.org.uk industry association that represents all UK water and wastewater service suppliers at national and European level. Links to all regional water companies
Wessex Water www.wessexwater.co.uk employs environmental officers

Environmental Consultancies

ENDS www.ends.co.uk Environmental Data Services provide intelligence on environmental affairs and has listings of jobs. Includes a Consultancy Directory www.endsdirectory.com/search and job searchwww.endsjobsearch.co.uk
Oakland www.oakland.co.uk consultancy site with academic, research and industry links.
AMEC Earth & Environmental www.amec.com/careers specialty ecological, environmental and water resources consultancy. Have recruited Kent DICE graduates.
Business Eco www.eco.uk.com environmental consultancy
AEAT Environment www.aeat.co.uk Large UK environmental consultancy.
Acorn Ecology www.acornecology.co.uk Devon ecological consultants providing consultancy services and professional development courses for ecologists.
Environ www.environcorp.com/careers Consultancy 1100 staff
SKM Enviros www.enviros.com environmental consultancy with graduate scheme
ERM (Environmental Resources Management) www.erm.com 3000 staff
Golder www.golder.com/careers 5,500 staff 230 in UK
Hyder www.hyderconsulting.com 1600 staff
Knight Piesold www.knightpiesold.com environmental consulting
MWH www.mw.com International environmental engineering and construction services
Mott MacDonald www.careers.mottmac.com 12,000 staff including 400 environmental
Ove Arup www.arup.com engineering consultancy. Sometimes has vacancies for environmental scientists.
Parsons Brinckerhoff www.pbworld.com one of the world's leading planning, engineering, and program and construction management organizations. Employs biodiversity specialists. Working on the HS2 railway line in the UK.
Royal Haskoning www.royalhaskoning.com 3,600 staff including 600 in UK
RPS www.joinrps.com 3700 staff
RSK www.rsk.co.uk 700 staff
URS www.urscorp.eu/careers 900 staff including 300 environmental
WSP www.wspenvironmental.com/careers 1000 staff

OTHER COMMERCIAL

British Airports Authority www.baa.com has an environmental compliance unit. One graduate is working with them as a conservation ecologist at Heathrow Airport.
Lists of organic retailers www.aboutorganics.co.uk
WRc International www.wrcplc.co.uk independent contract research organisation. Job vacancy page.
Greenpages www.eco-web.com database of over 7,000 suppliers and environmental organisations from 147 countries. Extensive U.K. list, with websites.
Earthscan www.earthscan.co.uk searchable world directories of companies – U.K. renewable energy companies, environmental testing, monitoring and treatment companies etc.

PUBLIC SECTOR ORGANISATIONS

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs www.defra.gov.uk responsibilities include environmental protection, waste and recycling, climate change, marine biodiversity, rural affairs, sustainable development, wildlife and countryside.
ADAS www.adas.co.uk Agricultural Research Organisation. UK’s largest independent provider of environmental solutions, rural development services and policy advice. Runs a graduate scheme.
Environment Agency www.environment-agency.gov.uk current issues and job vacancies.
British Antarctic Survey www.antarctica.ac.uk/Employment
Countryside Council for Wales www.ccw.gov.uk
English Heritage www.english-heritage.org.uk
The Forestry Commission www.forestry.gov.uk Government department responsible for forestry throughout UK. Have a graduate training scheme. You must be able to drive.
Forestry Stewardship Council www.fsc-uk.org promotes responsible management of the world’s forests - many useful links.
Joint Nature Conservation Committee www.jncc.gov.uk
National Parks www.nationalparks.gov.uk
Natural Environment Research Council www.nerc.ac.uk
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency www.sepa.org.uk
Local Government is a big employer of environmental graduates
- Jobs Go Public www.jobsgopublic.com jobs in the Public & Charity Sectors
- lgjobs.com local government jobs
- www.lgcareers.com lists over 200 job descriptions.

PROFESSIONAL BODIES

Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management www.ciwem.org.uk includes postgraduate courses and an environmental careers publications page
Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management www.ieem.net run low cost training courses and conferences. You should join if you wish to become an ecological consultant.
The Society for Conservation Biology www.conbio.org has jobs and internships section
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health www.cieh.org
Chartered Institute of Waste Management www.ciwm.co.uk
Countryside Management Association http://countrysidemanagement.org.uk
Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment www.iema.net
The Institution of Environmental Sciences www.ies-uk.org.uk
Society for the Environment www.socenv.org.uk

VOLUNTARY AND CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

World Land Trust www.worldlandtrust.org international conservation organisation that takes direct action to save rainforest: they buy it, acre by acre. Patron is David Attenborough. Since its foundation in 1989 the World Land Trust has helped purchase and protect over 350,000 acres of threatened wildlife habitats. Has a very successful six-month internship programme which aims to equip recent graduates with the skills and experience needed for a career in conservation. From time to time other voluntary opportunities and paid vacancies are also available. See the Jobs and Internships page for more details.
British Trust for Conservation Volunteers www2.btcv.org.uk details of holidays and job opportunities – long term volunteer vacancies plus staff vacancies. Also details of practical skills training and links to all kinds of local groups.
English Heritage www.english-heritage.org.uk jobs and volunteering opportunities
The Environment Council www.the-environment-council.org.uk
Field Studies Council www.field-studies-council.org – environmental education charity
Friends of the Earth www.foe.co.uk links and job vacancies.
Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust www.gwct.org.uk information on their work plus links to job vacancies, student placements and projects.
Greenpeace www.greenpeace.org.uk news and features on their activities.
Groundwork www.groundwork.org.uk supports sustainable communities. Careers advice and current vacancies. “V Volunteering programme” specifically aimed at graduates looking for a career in the environmental industries.
The National Trust www.nationaltrust.org.uk how to volunteer, and vacancies.
Natural England www.naturalengland.org.uk formed by bringing together English Nature, the landscape, access and recreation elements of the Countryside Agency and the environmental land management functions of the Rural Development Service Links and job vacancies
Naturenet www.naturenet.net countryside management and nature conservation. Links to agencies and organisations including volunteering links.
Oxfam www.oxfam.org.uk
Plantlife www.plantlife.org.uk wild plant conservation charity works throughout UK and internationally. Lists vacancies and info about their work.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew offer unpaid summer internships in economic botany and horticulture www.rbgkew.org.uk/education/highered.htm
RSPB www.rspb.org.uk job vacancies and how to volunteer
Scottish Natural Heritage www.snh.gov.uk job vacancies
Scottish Wildlife Trust www.swt.org.uk
The Soil Association www.soilassociation.org information about their work and how to get involved.
The Woodland Trust www.woodland-trust.org.uk volunteering opportunities.
Worldwide Fund for Nature www.panda.org worldwide rather than U.K.
The Wildlife Trusts www.wildlifetrusts.org volunteer and paid opportunities information
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust www.wwt.org.uk info. on how to get involved.
Wildlife and Countryside Link www.wcl.org.uk coalition of 34 organisations with links to member sites.

OVERSEAS VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

Voluntary work and projects - timescale ranges from 1 month - 1 year. Also includes TIME OUT, EXPEDITIONS AND GAP YEARS (see file 050 in the Careers Service). Expeditions with these organisations may include a conservation or research element.

If you are using a Gap Year Organisation to organise your placement see our Checklist of Questions to Ask Most placements go well, but there is a significant minority where students feel that the experience was nothing like that promised in the glossy brochure. So before you pay out lots of money make sure you know all about the project.

The Great Orangutan Project www.orangutanproject.com conservation organisation in Borneo, Malaysia. The Director is a Kent graduate. They would be happy to have students come on their volunteer placements.
Yana Cocha animal refuge and rehabilitation centre www.yanapuma.org/en/volec_yanacocha.php in the Amazon rainforest near Puyo, Ecuador. Highly recommended by a Kent graduate who volunteered there. Centre was founded in 2006 by a local resident concerned for animal welfare. Centre relies on contributions of $150 per week from the volunteers: you are accommodated in the on-site cabins which have electricity and water and price includes food. Centre rehabilitates monkeys, cayman crocodiles, snakes, ocelots, tortoises, parrots, porcupines and kinkajous. Can also accommodate academic research projects and working with medicinal plants. No experience required. Ring 084086809 or email yanacocha@gmail.org
Waterland Research Institute www.pantanal.org/Waterland.htm TEFL centre and conservation project run by British Biologists in the Pantanal flooded rainforest in Brazil. Teach English to young professional Brazilians and research rare and endangered birds of prey.
Wildlife Action Group - Malawi www.wag-malawi.org/nav/volunteer/index.html grass roots conservation NGO working in central Malawi to conserve Thuma Forest Reserve, its wildlife and promote community engagement and sustainable utilisation of the forest. Our focal species is the African elephant but we work to conserve all species within the reserve. We have run a volunteer programme for a number of years. While we do not have a set volunteer programme our volunteers slot onto the work which is being carried out at the time, they effectively act as staff while they are with us. We also offer long term internships. We do charge minimal costs in order to cover the volunteer expenses. This is a placement which is best suited to mature students or those near the end of their studies. We have a wide range of research opportunities including both wildlife and socio economic fields.
Community Centred Conservation (C3) www.c-3.org.uk reasonably priced conservation internships in threatened tropical marine ecosystems.
AgriVenture www.agriventure.com run by the International Agricultural Exchange Association (IAEA). Opportunities in 12 countries in agriculture and horticulture, from four months to over a year.
Azafady www.madagascar.co.uk
Blue Ventures www.blueventures.org global coral reef conservation and research. projects in Madagascar, Tanzania, New Zealand, South Africa and the Comoros Islands. Recommended by a Kent Wildlife Conservation graduate.
BSES Expeditions www.bses.org.uk
BUNAC (Work Ghana ) www.bunac.org
Careers Abroad www.careersabroad.co.uk field work placements and career opportunities in the fields of sustainable development, biological and zoological research, environmental education, conservation.
Global Vision International www.gvi.co.uk works with organisations such as the Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund and International Rainforest Concern.
Coral Cay Conservation www.coralcay.org
Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit www.crru.org.uk offer summer training courses and student project placements
Earthwatch www.earthwatch.org
Ecoteer www.ecoteer.com The cheapest volunteer placement website . Volunteer placements in over 40 different countries at ecolodges, conservation and community development projects. The majority of placements offer free food and accommodation.
Experience International www.expint.org 6 to 18 months' practical work experience placements in the land-based sector in NW of the USA. Typical placements include forestry management, tree production, seed orchard management, dairy production and management, golf course and turf management, aquaculture, environmental, crop production, plant production and nursery management.
Fiskardo's Nautical and Environmental Club www.fnec.gr small environmental organisation conducting environmental and community activities with volunteers on the Greek island of Kephalonia .
Global Volunteer Network www.volunteer.org.nz community projects, including environmental work, health and sanitation, in China , Ecuador , Ghana , Nepal , Uganda , and Romania
Greenforce www.greenforce.org
International Exchange Program UK www.iepuk.com international rural placements for 18-30 year-olds with one year's practical experience. Placements are in agriculture, equine, horticulture, wine production, aquaculture, forest and ecosystem management, landscaping, golf courses and wildlife.
Outreach International www.outreachinternational.co.uk
Pacific Island Jobs (PIJ) www.pacificislandjobs.com 'one stop shop' for those wanting to work or volunteer in the Pacific. All vacancies advertised focus on the environment and social change. Information on paid and volunteering opportunities for the whole of the Pacific region, from Australia Hawaii. Sustainable development is a key objective of PIJ.
Projects Abroad www.projects-abroad.co.uk/teaching-projects-abroad
Raleigh International www.raleigh.org.uk Expeditions
Shumba Experience www.shumbaexperience.co.uk conservation and community placements on game reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and conservation research projects throughout Southern and Eastern Africa
Student Conservation Association www.thesca.org Internships are available from three months in all USA states. Conservation corps interns volunteer on various conservation projects located in national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests and state conservation areas.
Teaching and Projects Abroad www.teaching-abroad.co.uk
Trekforce Expeditions www.trekforce.org.uk
Voluntary Service Overseas www.vso.org.uk
World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) www.wwoof.org volunteer and gain skills by working on organic farms throughout the world. Work on long and short-term projects and get food and accommodation provided in return for volunteering.

"Put (your skills) in the context of the role the employer is hiring for - e.g. even if you have great plant skills, you will massively benefit from demonstrating that you have used these skills to carry out botanical surveys"

Sue Searle, from her book "How to become an Ecological Consultant".

A person cuts down a tree and makes paper.
And on that paper writes:
“SAVE TREES!”

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