University of St Andrews

Sector Overview

This sector is predicted to continue to increase in the future offering a diverse range of employment opportunities. The growing prominence of environmental legislation, locally and globally, as well as the raised public awareness of environmental issues has led to more investment in this sector. Employers are now putting into place measures to produce less waste and use fewer resources which makes sense in terms of sustainability and also in this current economic climate. All these changes have led to increase in demand for environmental specialists/consultants although competition for these places is still fierce and vacancies normally require experience and/or postgraduate qualifications.

An increasing number of graduate jobs are on offer in energy, water, transport and utility companies – as there is a drive to pursue clean, renewable and sustainable practices. This is reflected in the growing number of St Andrews graduates recruited in this sector with companies such as NPower, Hydraun. SSE and Scottish Power. These posts offers some of the highest starting salaries in the Environmental Sector, around £30,000 (High Fliers Research 2014).

Case Studies

Videos produced by icould will give you an insight into over 80 environmental occupations within this sector. They include:

• Principal Consultant on climate change within the Met Office
• Ethical Trade Manager at Boden
• Learning Officer with the National Trust
• Environment Officer for the Environment Agency

Environmental work attributes/skills profile

Range of Employers

The extensive nature of this sector means that there is a vast range of employers from the obvious such as the Environment Agency to the unexpected such as the Royal and Ancient Golf Club who employed a St Andrews graduate as a sustainability consultant. The main sectors who recruit in this area include the following:

• Private sector (e.g. industry - ranging from large, multinational companies to those involved in resource management, such as the water and forestry industries, nuclear, gas, chemical, electricity, oil and and mining companies, alternative energy organisations - biofuels and bioenergy, environmental consultants)
• Voluntary and charity sector (e.g. conservation charities, pressure groups, trusts, environmental NGOs, )
• Public sector (e.g. regulatory bodies, such as local authorities, Scottish Environment Protection Agency , research institutes - NFCC, national parks and monuments, education establishments)

Nature of sector or roles

Roles

While the range of roles in this sector is tremendously varied, people working in any area will be primarily concerned with the impact of people and industry on the environment, and how this affects human and other lives. You could, for example, choose to work in an organisation concerned with protecting the environment, but in a support role, such as finance and human resources, as well as following a career that actually involves hands-on environmental work. It is also possible to work as an environmental specialist within another discipline.

The groups of jobs outlined below give some idea of the breadth and depth of this sector, but are not exhaustive:

• Sustainable Development and Renewable Energy involves finding ways effectively to use natural resources that may be naturally replenished. Renewable energy technologies include solar power, wind power, hydroelectricity/micro-hydro, biomass and biofuels for transportation. One of the growing areas is organisations employing staff to help to manage issues that relate to Sustainable Development as shown by the University.This type of initiative aligns itself to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda, which is that many employers now have a responsibility and a commitment to adopting a social, ethical and environmentally responsible approach to their business or organisation. Examples of jobs in these areas include:
  • Sustainability Officer, Energy Officer, Renewable Consultant, Natural Resource Specialist, Carbon Analyst, Energy Efficiency Officer, Energy Economist
• Environmental Conservation and Management involves providing practical advice to farmers, land managers, voluntary and private organisations on landscape and wildlife conservation to protect, manage and enhance the local environment. This can sometimes involve dealing with conflicting interests. Environmental managers also encourage people to use the countryside, and promote awareness of and understanding about the natural environment, as well as developing policy and ensuring that it is delivered. Job titles differ considerably from employer to employer, and some examples include:
  • Nature Conservation Officer/Warden/Ranger, Countryside Manager, Biological Field Surveyor, Scientific Officer, Environmental Educationalist, Environmental Protection & Control, Recycling Officer , Water Quality Officer, Water Disposal Officer, Environmental Policy Officer, Environmental Consultant
  • Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) and Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Operator - Projects requiring Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) and Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Operators have arisen due to concerns regarding the levels of man-made noise in the ocean and how this may affect marine life, in particular, marine mammals and turtles. The role of the MMO and PAM operator is to be present on the ships during offshore operations and to act immediately to protect marine mammals should they enter an exclusion zone (usually 500 metres) prior to and sometimes during operations. Further information can be found on the Marine Mammal Observer Association (MMOA) website.There are a minimum of 2 courses that must be undertaken to work as an MMO offshore. You are also required to have a medical. All personnel working offshore need an offshore survival certificate which includes HUET and also a medical certificate. This is a 3 to 5 day course and costs £700 plus (depending who you undertake the course with). ENG 1 is one of the medical certificates for the UK, which is acceptable for other countries. This takes around an hour and costs £70 plus. This is one type that is accepted. The JNCC accredited MMO certificate is also required. This is a one to 3 day course and costs approximately £100 plus (depending who you undertake the course with).According to the Marine Mammal Observer Association, it is easy enough to become certified but it is very unlikely for someone to be offered contract work if they do not have the relevant experience. Experience required involves watching marine mammals in the field, voluntary work, research, or wildlife guiding. It is quite a competitive field, with many MMO’s and PAM operators that become accredited and do not have the experience, struggling to find work. The MMOA recommends if becoming an MMO or Pam Operator is a serious career choice consideration that this experience is gained.
• Environmental Protection and Control involves controlling pollution, promoting pollution prevention from certain industrial and other activities, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations regarding the use, sale, transport, disposal, manufacture and storage of industrial and other waste. The Environment Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) are the UK’s governmental agencies responsible for administrating laws to control and reduce the pollution of air, water and land systems. Job titles may include:
  • Air Quality Consultant, Climate Change and Risk Officer, Energy Assessor, Environmental Auditor, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Health Officer, Environmental Policy Officer, Environmental Psychologist, Landscape Architect, Lobbyist, Recycling Officer
• Environmental Engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to improve the environment, in order to provide healthy water, air and land for human habitation and for other organisms, and to remediate polluted sites. Environmental engineers conduct hazardous-waste management studies to evaluate the significance of such hazards, advise on treatment and containment, and develop regulations to prevent mishaps. They also design municipal water supply and industrial wastewater treatment systems. as well as being concerned with local and worldwide environmental issues, such as the effects of acid rain, ozone depletion, water pollution and air pollution from automobile exhausts and industrial sources. Environmental engineering positions include:
  • Environmental Energy Engineer, Environmental Scientist, Geophysicist, Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineer, Hydrogeologist, Landfill Engineer, River-Coastal Engineer, Sedimentologist, Water Engineer, Wind-Energy Engineer
• Environmental Law and Litigation are concerned with a body of law that seeks to protect the environment that may be affected, impacted or endangered by human activities. This includes careers in a variety of public and private forms.
• International Environmental Co-operation involves assessing global, regional and national environmental conditions and trends, addressing existing and emerging environmental issues at the global and regional levels, and bringing environmental experts together e.g. the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

For a more comprehensive overview of the wide range of jobs available, visit the Prospects website or CIWEM (The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management)'s job market website

Networks - why and how to use them

Doug is an Environmental Consultant. He is happy to be contacted on LinkedIn.

Why are networks important?

Networking is particularly important and can help you succeed with your applications. If you have been in contact with someone working for the organisation then you have extra information to back up your application. Use social media sites such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook (many organisations have their own page).

Where alumni work now

Recent St Andrews graduates have gone on to work for Turnberry Consulting, ARUP, BP, National Trust, Thames Water, Hydrasun, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Kent County Council – Transport, RWE Npower, BRE , Natural England, DFID, Golf Environment Organisation, Transitions (University of St Andrews), Community Energy Scotland, Xodus Group Ltd and SSE. These alumni can make extremely useful contacts, giving you an "edge" with your applications and interviews.

Your networks

There are several ways to make contact with alumni.

• Saint Connect - is the new networking platform which allows you to connect with alumni and join discussion groups. Find out how to use Saint Connect by viewing the 'Video Tour' (bottom right-hand side of Saint Connect screen).
  • Organisations at which alumni are currently working who are happy to offer advice:CTEH (Environmental Scientist) an d NuGenesis
  • Groups - Environmental & Sustainable Development, Renewable Energy and Non-profit & Charities by joining these groups you will receive updates on events, competitions, jobs and other sector related news.
• LinkedIn – Alumni Tool, this feature shows the career paths of 30,000+ St Andrews Alumni. By using the search field you can find alumni working in a particular organisation e.g. SEPA, Environment Agency, SSE , AMEC Environment and Infrastructure UK, Natural England, Wildlife Conservation Society, Greenpeace and Ocean Science Consulting Ltd. Watch the YouTube video on how to use this resource.
• Graduate recruiters - ask if they can put you in touch with any alumni now working for their company.
• Friends and family - ask around your immediate social network for any contacts in the organisations which interest you.
• This networking video produced by Cass Business School gives excellent tips on effective networking

How to gain experience/internships

There are a huge variety of career possibilities in the Environmental Sector and finding relevant work experience is a key element to successfully securing a graduate position. Although many opportunities available are on a voluntary basis, there are some possibilities for relevant paid work experience.

Any type of environmental work experience or work shadowing is valuable, even if it's only for a short time. Many vacancies may not be advertised, so it’s well worth considering making speculative applications to find opportunities.

Read a number of case studies written by St Andrews students on how to gain relevant environmental work experience.

It’s impossible for us to list every opportunity available, but here are a few ideas to get you started.

How to get a (graduate) job

In some cases a postgraduate qualification is required for many careers in the environmental sector - see the 'Relevant Postgraduate Study' section for more details.

Graduate Recruitment Schemes

A number of major corporations offer environmental graduate recruitment schemes. Here are a few examples:

• Atkins
• BRE (students with career-related questions can email Tara Bishop, Recruitment Advisor (BishopT@bre.co.uk)
• British Antarctic Survey St Andrews graduate case study
• Capita Symonds
• MWH
• Thames Water
• WRC plc

Newspapers / Journals

• The Guardian- (available at Careers Centre).
  • The Guardian articles - breaking into the environment industry and staying ahead of the game and Breaking into the environment sector:tips from the graduates that made it
• The Independent

Jobs online

• The Careers Centre subscribes to Countryside Jobs: select "CJS weekly sign in" (right-hand side of the page) and use the subscriber's username and password (access via Subscriptions).
• Adopt an Intern - provides graduates with the hands-on experience required to enter the graduate job market through facilitating paid internships. Opportunities in Scotland. Occasionally advertises relevant environmental opportunities.
• Environment Jobs and Environment Post: Offers a good range of work experience and graduate entry jobs; particularly useful for public sector roles
• ElevatorCafesearch for ethical and green job opportunities.
• Ethicalcareers.org: Includes good links, jobs and internships
• Green Jobs network of websites
• Green Energy Jobs Offers a global platform for the latest vacancies in the Renewable Energy sector.
• Green Business Jobs International - this is a search service for worldwide jobs and internships in the environmental, science, engineering and management sector
• National Parks Links to job profiles and vacancies in National Parks
• Environment Jobs an excellent website for jobs in the UK and abroad
• Jobs for Good - a specialist jobs board for roles that create social and environmental value
• MARMAM – mailing list worldwide for marine mammals – job postings, volunteer postings, advertising new publications etc.
• Coastsms (Bob earll) – mailing list for UK sustainability and environmental management in the marine, coastal and waters sectors – job vacancies, conferences etc.

Recruitment Agencies

Consider registering with an environmental recruitment specialist, e.g.

• Acre
• Allen & York
• Earthstaff specialist energy recruitment agency
• Green Jobs Online
• The Green Jobs Network of websites provides link to jobs in Conservation, Environment, GreenJobs, Renewable Energy, Solar, Waste, Water and Wind.
• Agency Central provides a searchable database of recruitment agencies in the UK.
• Sustain Recruitment
• Sustainability Excellence Sustainability Excellence is a fast-growing company providing a full range of sustainability services to companies and governments in the Arab world. Speaking Arabic is an advantage.
• A list of environmental consultants can be found on the ENDS website.

Applications, interviews and assessment centres

• The Countryside Jobs Service (CJS) has some useful advice for job seekers, including suggestions and guidelines for job applications/interviews
• The Guardian - How to write a CV for the environment and sustainability sector
• World Land Trust - tips for job applicants
• Nature Net - get a job working in the countryside industry
• University of Kent Careers - example environmental CV

The Careers Centre also has lots of general advice about making applications, attending interviews and assessment centres.

Relevant Postgraduate Study

In some cases a postgraduate qualification is required for many careers in the environmental sector. Further study may be at either Master’s or PhD level, depending on the particular career you wish to pursue. For example, while a PhD is important for a career in research, taught Master’s courses are popular when entering the field of environmental consultancy, or as conversion courses. Not all environmental lawyers or consultants studied law, or specifically environmental law, at undergraduate level, so it is worth exploring the different degrees, courses and options available.

At Master’s level there is an increasing number of specialist courses, it pays to spend time researching that the course will provide you with the correct experience to achieve your future career aim. A good indicator is the employment destinations of previous graduates, most admissions departments should be able to provide these.

Often, vocational courses that have a strong practical element and/or project placements in environmental organisations (through which you can make valuable contacts with potential employers) will provide you with enhanced job prospects. Talk to employers and find out which courses they particularly recommend.

Key UK links and resources

Careers Centre resources

Use CareerConnect, your central careers hub, to:

• Book an appointment with a careers adviser
• Search for vacancies (Job Shop, internships/work experience, graduate jobs)
• Register for events

GoinGlobal

• The Careers Centre subscribes to GoinGlobal, a specialist website with information and job vacancies worldwide.

Countryside Jobs Online

• The Careers Centre subscribes to Countryside Jobs: select "CJS weekly sign in" (right-hand side of the page) and use the subscriber's username and password (access via Subscriptions).

Books/Journals:

• Green Volunteers
• Green Careers - WetFeet
• Working with the Environment
• Environmental Careers - The Inside Guide
• Saving the Earth as a career

Related web pages

• Not-for-profit
• International development

General Environmental careers information

• CIWEM (The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management)
• Prospects:
  • Environment and agriculture
  • Energy and utilities
• AGCAS:
  • Industry Insight - Environment and agriculture
  • Industry Insight - Energy and utilities
• Rooting for a Career in Ecology
• Green Energy Career Guide
• Online Industry Sector Profiles - Scotland This online resource has been produced by Heriot-Watt University Careers Service to help explore Scotland's main industries. It provides industry facts and figures, significant Scottish employers, job options, vacancy sources and case studies.

Professional Bodies, Trade Organisations & Journals/Magazines

• Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
• Natural England: Government agency that champions the conservation of wildlife and geology
• Environment Agency (England and Wales): Leading public body for protecting and improving the environment.
• Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment- they have student membership
• Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management- they have student membership, you must be a member to apply to the Thomson Ecology graduate programme
  • Presentation by Claire Lacey - Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM)
• Marine Mammal Observers Association this organisation promotes and provides information for MMOs
• Natural Environment Research Council- useful information on postgraduate courses and funding
• Landscape Institute Careers in landscape architecture
• National Trust for Scotland
• Planning Jobs Information about careers in regeneration
• Scottish Environment Protection Agency
• Scottish Natural Heritage
• The UK Groundwater Forum: Promotes careers in groundwater-related professions
• Wildlife Trusts
• SCI provides information and resources to chemists and life scientists looking to build a career in industry. They offer career events, case studies and travel bursaries, but their most valuable asset is their network of industrial scientists.

USA resources

Vault

The USA job market and recruitment timetables, for both internships and graduate jobs, for sectors of employment often differ from the UK.

The Careers Centre subscribes to the reputable independent USA careers information and vacancy provider Vault. The link below will take you directly to Vault subscription resources which cover this sector. You may find further useful and relevant resources linked from there as well.

• Vault Guide to Environmental Careers

Internships USA

• The Big Green Internship book - published by Internships, USA, this online resource lists over 300 organizations in 39 states offering internships working to protect the environment. Positions include environmental education, conservation research, environmental policy, grass roots organizing, government agencies, and international organizations. Also internships with the United Nations Environmental Program. Access via Subscriptions (password required).

Internships in the US - environmental work

This list is by no means exhaustive. It is simply designed to serve as a starting point.

• Backdoor Jobs: National and international short-term job opportunities.
• Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies: The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program provides 8-12 students each summer an opportunity to conduct quality research in ecology; runs from the end of May to mid August; Students receive a stipend of $6,000, housing in an Institute dormitory, and a food allowance of $600.
• Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI): CSPI focuses primarily on health and nutrition issues, disclosing deceptive marketing practices, dangerous food additives or contaminants, and flawed science propagated by profits; offers 10-week paid internships for a small number of qualified students in undergraduate, graduate, post graduates, law, and medical schools each summer and during the school year; Interns will work in a variety of areas, including nutrition policy, health promotion policy, food safety and litigation.
• Earthjustice: A non-profit public interest law firm dedicated to protecting the magnificent places, natural resources, and wildlife of this earth, and to defending the right of all people to a healthy environment; Internships available in their offices throughout the country and advertised when available through this link.
• Eco.org: A site that helps quality job candidates looking for green jobs connect with eco-employers who care about the environment and have green jobs to fill.
• Environmental Protection Agency: Provides paid and unpaid internships, fellowships and other opportunities are available in Washington, D.C., laboratories, and at regional EPA locations nationwide; opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students who are U.S. citizens.
• Environmental Working Group (EWG): Internships available for undergraduates in various areas, including Consumer Database Research, Public Affairs/Media Support, Government Affairs and General Research.
• Friends of the Earth: Friends of the Earth's Communications internship program provides current students or recent college graduates an opportunity to join staff for four to six months, work on our issues and campaigns, and gain valuable experience in the environmental community. Advertised when available via the above link.
• Great Basin Institute:The Great Basin Institute is an interdisciplinary field studies organization that promotes environmental research, education, and conservation throughout the West; Voluntary and paid associate positions available to undergraduates, postgraduates, and recent graduates.
• Green Dream Jobs: renewable and clean energy jobs (solar, wind jobs), green building jobs, organic jobs, and all environmental and sustainable jobs; Search under internships.
• Green for All: A national organization dedicated to building an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty; Most internships are unpaid.
• Green Jobs: Search for internships in various companies.
• LANDS Programme LANDS is a field-based service-learning program based in the University of Vermont's Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. The program offers two options for students: the Summer Field Course (7+ credits) and the Fall Field Semester (15+ credits). Students learn while conducting real-world projects for conservation organizations.
• League of Conservation Voters (LCV): LCV's mission is to advocate for sound environmental policies, to elect pro-environmental candidates who will adopt and implement such policies and to provide the state LCVs with the resources and tools to accomplish and sustain their mission; Internships posted on this site as and when available; Current college students or recent graduates preferred.
• Middlebury Fellowships in Environmental Journalism: Helps 10 journalists near the start of their careers work through an ambitious reporting project in print, web-based, or radio journalism. Projects should deal with the environment - can be economics, culture, global issues, and the like, as long as they centre in some way on the human relationship with the physical world; Fellows meet together with professional journalists twice during the year, once in the fall at Bread Loaf, in Ripton VT, where they brainstorm their stories, and once in the spring at the Monterey Institute for International Studies, in Monterey CA, where they edit the completed pieces; Fellows receive $10,000 to help with reporting and living expenses during the fellowship year.
• Mote Marine Laboratories: Mote internships allow undergraduates and recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in ocean science research, conservation, education and support services; Internships are available in most departments in the laboratory; Provides 10-14 week internships during four sessions; Unpaid positions but a limited number of scholarships are available.
• National Park Service: the Cultural Resources Diversity Internship Program provides a career exploration opportunity for diverse undergraduate and graduate students ages 18-25 in historic preservation/cultural resources work; interns are placed with National Park Service park units and administrative offices, other federal agencies, state historic preservation offices, local governments, and private organizations; Ten-week paid internships during May/June through August.
• OBFS - Organization of Biological Field Stations: Lists field stations in US and overseas that are members of OBFS, many have summer programs (internships, courses, or volunteer work) in ecology and environmental studies.
• Piedmont Environmental Council: Seven-week summer Environmental Fellowship Program in the Virginia Piedmont for undergraduate, graduate student and recent graduate who are interested in land conservation, energy conservation, agriculture, and more; Fellows receive local housing, a small stipend to cover living expenses, and expenses for all program-related activities.
• Point Blue: offers internships in Conservation Science at the Palomarin Field Station, Marine Ecology on Southeast Farallon Island, the Adélie Penguin Population Internship in Antarctica and other areas; Stipends vary between $500-$1200 per month on a project by project basis.
• Smithsonian Environmental Research Center: Offers undergraduate and beginning postgraduate students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the fields of environmental research and education.
• The Student Conservation Association: Internships are 3-12 month opportunities to anyone 18 or older to preserve environmental and cultural resources.
• Sustainable Long Island: Promotes economic development, environmental health and equity for all Long Islanders; Opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students to assist staff and conduct research in the fields of land use, policy and planning.
• Union of Concerned Scientists: Paid internships available in various areas, including media, climate and energy; Applicants who are not U.S. citizens must be able to provide an employment authorization document from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• The Wilderness Society: accepts applications for policy, communication, marketing and digital internships year-round; These positions are unpaid, but are available for school credit.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: for undergraduate students who will have completed their junior year at colleges or universities by the start of the fellowship period; Preference is given to students studying in the fields of science or engineering; Students must have at least a tentative interest in the ocean sciences, oceanographic engineering, mathematics, or marine policy; The program aims to provide fellows with a meaningful first-hand introduction to research in oceanography, oceanographic engineering, or marine policy; Stipend of $540 per week for a ten- to twelve-week program; Additional support is offered to help offset the cost of round-trip travel to Woods Hole.
• World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms USA: Search for opportunities by region.