Environmental Jobs — Are You Up to the Challenge?
If you're looking for a way to make the world a better place, you can't go wrong with an environmental career. These important jobs not only guard our air and water, they also protect others against dangerous toxins and other threats. With greater interest in protecting the environment, these environmental careers will be very important in the new green economy. A single toxic spill or environmental accident can cost millions in damages and risk lives; with so much at stake, many companies hire dedicated personnel to handle the management and implementation of environmental programs.
The role of environmental professionals is now more scientific than ever before. There are positions not only for scientists and activists, though; there are jobs for administrators, technicians, engineers, and even office workers as well. There are even jobs for filmmakers, photographers, computer experts, and landscape architects. Chemists are now exploring new types of petroleum substitutes, while climatologists study climate change. There are even positions for paleobiologists who study past changes in the environment to seek clues to the future of the planet. Biologists, botanists, and marine scientists are now involved in studying populations to determine rates of extinction, population/fishery management, and even new ways to manage invasive plants and animals.
Not all environmental jobs are nature-related, though. There are also environmental jobs that encompass the health and safety of industrial spaces, making sure that hazardous materials and conditions are kept away from workers and the environment. In short, there are many jobs in the environmental industry, and more are being created every day as new applications arise.
Environmental Jobs for You
What kinds of environmental jobs are available? The list of environmental jobs covers both unskilled volunteer positions and skilled technical work. If you were to do an environmental job search the top environmental jobs would include:
Environmental assistant: These workers specialize in working with other environmental workers to coordinate policy, making sure that systems in plants and industrial workplaces meet state and federal environmental mandates.
Environmental intern: Interns work unpaid, volunteer positions. They collect petition signatures, gather information, and join in ecological restoration projects.
Environmental coordinator: Coordinators organize larger groups around specific campaigns or causes. Coordinators have to be good at directing groups, seeing the big picture, and advancing both political and activist goals.
Environmental technician: Technicians gather information from environmental sites and do much of the supporting lab work for scientists.
Environmental specialist: Specialists deal in a specific area of the environment. For example, hydrologists deal with water systems, such as lakes, streams, and the oceans, making sure that appropriate measure are taken to protect these areas. Environmental specialists are also responsible for developing systems to identify and manage hazardous materials.
Environmental manager: Environmental managers are responsible for making sure that a particular area is protected from hazards and improper usage. They are often employed by city, state, or federal authorities.
Environmental analyst: Analysts gather and study data about particular environments. They use this information to help others set policy and monitor environmental changes.
Environmental advisor: Advisors help set policy and advise political and corporate agencies on environmental issues.
Environmental director: Directors often implement the policies determined by advisors and scientists. For example, an environmental director would be in charge of overseeing the proper placement of sewage systems for an industrial park or other large project.
Environmental engineer: Environmental engineers design facilities and treatment systems to stop or contain environmental pollution.
Environmental scientist: Environmental scientists study ecologies and environmental systems. They use this data to delineate endangered species or sensitive spots, and to protect environments from pollution or overdevelopment.
Working Conditions
While you'd expect most environmental work to take place in the great outdoors, there's a lot that takes place in offices, too. Volunteers make phone calls and canvas neighborhoods. Scientists and technicians gather data, work in labs, and write papers, but they also act as expert witnesses in environmental legal cases alongside environmental lawyers.
Qualifications
Planning an environmental job search? Here are a few things to keep in mind.
1) There are a lot of ways to enter into an environmental career. Environmental groups need office workers almost as much as they need scientists. Qualifications for these jobs are often determined by the need, not the title.
2) The more education you have, the better. If you want to start as an environmental scientist, having a solid background and some years of experience will help. On the other hand, an environmental assistant with an environmental sciences BA will probably be able to move into a more interesting position much faster.
3) Be willing to start part-time or work as a volunteer. Some of the best environmental groups don't have a lot of money, and paid positions are highly competitive.
Employment Outlook
With the recent political changes in Washington, an increased interest in environmental programs is expected to fuel a strong increase in these types of careers. Expanded interest in green energy, renewable resources, and climate change mitigation mean that there should be many new positions available over the next decade.
