Most jobs involve collecting data, analyzing it, and preparing it for written reports or oral presentations. But air quality specialists also work with people, giving technical assistance to individuals and groups and presenting reports at meetings and hearings. They help to write, evaluate and revise environmental impact statements. They also participate in planning processes that might involve computer modeling and other prediction tools.
Pollution control agencies at federal, state and local levels and other government bodies, such as transportation departments, employ air quality specialists. So do some private companies responsible for preventing or controlling pollution, as well as engineering firms that work on air quality planning and pollution prevention and control.
Air quality specialists must be technically adept, but also good at speaking, listening, writing and presenting. A fundamental requirement is knowledge of physics, chemistry and meteorology. For starters, one would need a bachelor's or masters degree in a physical science, engineering, meteorology, public health, air pollution control, planning, or some other related field. People moving on in this profession gain more technical knowledge of modeling, data interpretation, program evaluation, planning techniques, and laws and regulations.
Good sources for more details are Environmental Careers in the 21st Century from The Environmental Careers Organization, published by Island Press, and:
The label "alternative energy specialist" applies to a wide range of professionals in a great and growing variety of jobs. What they all have in common is that they work in some way on researching, developing, designing, building, or using alternative energy systems. Most analysts define alternative energy as non-carbon-based, renewable energy, such as wind, solar energy, flowing water, biomass, hydrogen, and geothermal energy. However, energy conservation can be thought of as another important alternative source. In the United States, improving energy efficiency could yield over a third of the commercial energy consumed nearly the same as all the energy we get from burning oil.
At one time, most alternative energy experts were engineers, but that is changing. Engineers do research, and design and build devices for tapping alternative energy sources. But research and development also involves chemists, physicists, biologists and meteorologists. Architects, planners, builders, and entrepreneurs who apply alternative energy technologies can also become specialists. So can economists, statisticians, and finance professionals who study alternative energy markets. Lawyers, lobbyists and regulators who help develop and implement energy policies can become alternative energy specialists in their fields. Technical writers and science reporters can also develop such specialties.
Daily work for such a variety of professionals is hard to describe, but many alternative energy specialists balance their time between lab work and field research. For example, a wind turbine engineer or technician might spend one week exploring landscapes, surveying and developing wind farm sites, and the next week testing new equipment in a lab setting. Economists and financial experts watch the markets, consult with each other, crunch numbers, and make projections. Those interested in alternative energy policy and law would spend a lot of time reading and talking with other experts. The important point is, for people with widely varying personality types, interests, and skills, there is an ever-growing variety of challenges to take on in the field of alternative energy. About seven of ten jobs in the U. S. alternative energy field are in the private sector. A growing number of firms do research and manufacturing in green power technology--building better wind turbines, solar cells, hydrogen fuel cells, micro-hydro generators, and geothermal systems, for example. Energy efficiency is another broad area where research, design and manufacturing jobs will grow.
Utility companies that offer energy efficiency consulting and products to customers, as well as doing research and development on alternative energy sources, hire alternative energy experts of all stripes. Several other big companies have alternative energy programs such as BP Solar, Shell Renewables, and GE Wind Energy, which will create more job openings. And the number of alternative energy consulting companies is also growing.
Government jobs are not necessarily growing in number, but many alternative energy specialists work for federal agencies such as (in the United States) the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Congressional Research Service, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado. Many states and cities also have energy offices that focus on increasing energy efficiency within government and on helping businesses and individuals to do the same.
To prepare for a career in alternative energy, one would typically study chemistry, physics, engineering or economics, but specialists can come from a variety of fields, including environmental studies, biology, geology, meteorology, math, statistics, and finance. On the technician level, one could start out with an associate degree, but a bachelors degree is required for most jobs, or at least for advancement in the field.
Experts advise students to become familiar with the industries in which they hope to specialize, by reading industry publications, studying the industrys history, attending professional meetings, and seeking internships. Because the field of alternative energy is developing globally, learning foreign languages could help one to reach wider horizons.
Good sources for more details are The Eco Guide to Careers that Make a Difference from The Environmental Careers Organization, published by Island Press, and:
Every climate change specialist plays some role in one or more of the following: measuring climate factors and how they change; studying connections between global warming and human activities; studying the effects of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystems in different biomes and aquatic systems; modeling possible scenarios for future climate change; studying possible ways to deal with climate change; helping local, state, and national governments to develop policies dealing with climate change; developing international agreements for dealing with the issue; and explaining any and all of the above to students, professionals, and the general public.
While there are unnumbered specialties developing within the general field of climate change, most specialists will likely need, at least, familiarity with its scientific, technical, economic, political, cultural and legal aspects. Thus any professional in this huge field must expect to conduct ongoing education in one or more of those aspects, throughout his or her career.
Because of this growing diversity, it would be hard to describe a day in the life of a climate change specialist. Many such professionals spend most of their time doing pure or applied research in areas such as atmospheric chemistry, solar physics, oceanography, or the economics of international development. Specialists from all of those fields might be brought together to work on a particular problem. For example, they might all contribute take part in the study of how atmospheric changes affect the oceans, and vice versa.
Its safe to say that any climate change specialist would spend some time developing, using, or interpreting the results of data analysis, usually generated by powerful and complex computer models. Very often, one would need to explain such results with groups or individuals. Many specialists will work on project teams, very often managing them. Such teams would be charged with collecting data, analyzing it, reporting on data analysis, and developing or evaluating project proposals or government policies based on research findings.
About two our of three climate change specialists in the United States work in the public sector. Agencies employing them include federal agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). State agencies responsible for natural resource management, land use planning, and transportation planning might also be creating such positions now and in the future. More than half the states and several U.S. cities are now working on action plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
In the private sector, more and more companies are hiring environmental management staff to help them comply with regulations and to implement their own initiatives in areas such as greenhouse gas emissions. Such staff might include attorneys, engineers, and accountants. In the non-profit sector, interest groups such as the World Wildlife Fund hire climate change specialists to help them with research, lobbying, and public information campaigns.
At the international level, agencies such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) consist largely of climate change specialists. Except for possible internships, these organizations are looking for the most experienced people available.
To work as a climate change specialist, one needs a relatively high level of education and experience, but it makes a worthy career goal. Most currently employed specialists started with at least a bachelors degree in one of the atmospheric sciences or in another environmental science such as environmental chemistry. Most have had education and/or experience with computer systems used to study climate and weather. Languages, especially European languages, Russian and Chinese, will be increasingly important for these professionals.
Beyond that, this expanding and evolving field welcomes professionals with excellent skills in organization, planning, communication, and critical thinking who are adaptable and willing to travel internationally. Creative and energetic people can often design their own career paths and will help to define this relatively new discipline.
Good sources for more details are The Eco Guide to Careers that Make a Difference from The Environmental Careers Organization, published by Island Press, and:
Ideally, ecotourism is centered in natural areas and educates travelers about those environments. It provides financial benefits directly to local people in areas visited. Rather than imposing any cultural values on local people, it respects their ways of life. And it avoids supporting oppressive regimes and instead supports human rights and democratic values, as much as possible, without engaging in political struggles.
Not all businesses that claim to be ecotourism companies are genuinely interested in sustainable tourism. Some companies simply use the label while continuing unsustainable business practices. As ecotourism is a rapidly growing industry, consumers and would-be professionals must beware of these misrepresentations.
An ecotourism specialist can have an exciting and rewarding career, especially if he or she can help to define genuine ecotourism as the industry matures. One must be devoted to sustaining nature and can share that passion every day with co-workers and consumers. Ecotourism specialists spend time planning and coordinating tours, budgeting, and reporting. Of course, they spend a lot of time traveling with clients in outdoor locations, guiding them, teaching them, and ensuring their safety. This sort of work takes them to remote locations all over the world.
Many ecotourism guides specialize in geographical areas or in their knowledge of wildlife, climate and weather, ecosystems and biomes. They who enjoy writing about their work often get their writing published in books, magazines, websites, and marketing materials.
Some ecotourism specialists do not work directly with tourists. For example, they might manage conservation projects in host areas financed in part by ecotourism companies. Or they might conduct research on the impacts of ecotourism, long before the ecotourists arrive. This involves working with local people and governments, and advising them on how to create a sustainable tourism economy.
There is a need in this growing industry for sales and marketing professionals who are proficient on the web. These people must be familiar with destinations and their ecosystems and local cultures, no less than the guides who actually take people there.
The most obvious employment opportunities are with ecotourism travel agencies, but government park services also employ ecotourism specialists. International environmental groups such as Conservation International and Rainforest Alliance also have ecotourism programs.
Becoming an ecotourism specialist usually requires a bachelors or masters degree in some related field like forestry, wildlife biology, or resource conservation. Coursework in hospitality, tourism, and international studies can be useful. Some universities offer ecotourism programs. Courses in business and marketing and experience with fundraising are helpful. Having one or more foreign languages is highly valuable. Volunteer work experience with an organization working to preserve ecosystems or human cultures can also be a strong plus.
Organizations offering excellent information and possibly internships are listed below. Good sources for more details are The Eco Guide to Careers that Make a Difference from The Environmental Careers Organization, published by Island Press, and:
A typical day in the life of an architect can involve gathering and studying information from clients about their needs. They must also keep current on building codes, fire ordinances, zoning laws and other local laws. Such regulations often require architects to conduct environmental impact studies. Green architects take this as an opportunity to study how the environmental can enhance their projects and vice versa.
Architects have always used pencils and paper to sketch their ideas, but increasingly, computer-aided design systems are replacing drawing boards, when it comes time to draft formal plans. The design stage usually involves negotiations with clients and rethinking and redrafting of some parts of the plan. When construction starts, architects play an active role in making sure the projects are being completed according to agreed-upon plans. Such oversight can be even more important when it involves new or non-traditional practices or systems such as straw bale construction, solar heating, and water recycling systems.
About 9 out of 10 architects are employed in the private sector, most of them working for architectural firms. Government agencies at state and local levels employ the other 10 percent. After some years of experience inside a firm or agency, many architects go into business for themselves. Without such experience, self-employment would be risky.
One can get a drafting job with a 2-year technical degree, but employment as an architect requires a bachelors or masters degree, usually from an accredited school of architecture. Education or experience with computer-aided design technology is a must. Working as an intern at a firm is also very good preparation. One must pass the Architects Registration Examination to become licensed.
To work as a green architect, it would be invaluable for one to study the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. This program promotes sustainable design and is increasingly thought of as a gold standard in the field.
For more useful information and details, consult The Eco Guide to Careers that Make a Difference (pp. 84-103), published by the Environmental Careers Organization.
Environmental chemistry was once all about learning the fates of chemicals—where they ended up in the soil, water or air—and their effects on ecosystems. It is now about that and much more, according to the website of the American Chemical Society (see below). Environmental chemists design pollution control and cleanup processes and systems. They also serve as emergency advisors, helping to contain and clean up chemical spills and explosions or runoff of pesticides from farm fields into rivers and lakes.
However, the new frontier is pollution prevention, also known as green chemistry. Chemists are working with industry and government to:
Some environmental chemists spend time wading in streams, sampling air and soils, and analyzing and interpreting data in their labs. But as the field expands, daily activities grow increasingly varied, including development and testing of new products, advising companies on how to comply with regulations, and studying public policies and laws.
The chemical industry is the largest employer of environmental chemists, but many work for government agencies and waste management companies. Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degrees will earn succeedingly higher positions. But the field is growing rapidly and people with associate degrees can also find jobs.
Beyond obtaining a solid foundation in chemistry, aspiring environmental chemists do well with an interdisciplinary orientation, with knowledge of biology, ecology, genetics, hydrogeology, and soils. Courses in environmental studies are recommended. For industrial jobs, courses in industrial chemistry and chemical engineering are also suggested. Teamwork skills and the ability to communicate effectively with non-technical audiences are also increasingly important.
Good sources for more details are The Eco Guide to Careers that Make a Difference from The Environmental Careers Organization, published by Island Press, and:
Economists study about demand, supply and pricing of human-made goods and services. Throughout most of history, economists have not included the value of natural resources and natural services in the evaluation of goods and services, nor have they taken into account the environmental, health and social costs of creating goods and services. That is the challenge that environmental economists now take on. Environmental costs are part of external costs—costs not included in the prices of goods and services. Environmental economists seek to internalize those costs—to include them in the prices we pay for goods and services.
Some commentators see environmental economics as the best hope for bringing environmentalism to the “real world”—for making abstract environmental issues real for today’s average consumers. For example, to show the real value of wetland protection, environmental economists try to put dollar values on services provided by wetlands, such as water filtration and flood control.
Some environmental economists pride themselves on being “big picture” people. Rather than focusing on specific issues or species, environmental economists work at the foundational and structural levels in societies and economies. That is, they work to change whole economic systems in ways that will benefit certain species or result in solutions to big problems.
To those ends, environmental economists spend a great deal of time collecting and analyzing data. This involves crunching numbers, but also might include studying historical records, interviewing people, or viewing satellite photos. It might mean studying businesses and other organizations to assess environmental impacts of their practices and products. Environmental economists watch governments and study populations at local, national and international levels.
The work doesn’t end with collecting and analyzing data. Environmental economists play a big role in incorporating the results of their studies into policies, as well as in helping people to realize the costs of harmful policies. So they very often work with teachers, reporters, and lobbyists to convey such information clearly to students, citizens and politicians. Or they might work with other environmental scientists to complete an environmental impact statement for a development project. They might also do their own public speaking and writing for various audiences.
Job opportunities for environmental economists are about half and half public and private. Federal agencies such as (in the United States) the Environmental Protection Agency and the Congressional Budget Office have environmental economists on staff. In general, state natural resources agencies will more likely hire environmental economists in coming years, as states seek to implement new regulations such as controls on greenhouse gas emissions. International agencies such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and some U.N. agencies employ more experienced economists with advanced degrees.
In the private sector, environmental economists will find work with market analysis companies, investment banks, database management firms, economic forecasting firms, and some insurance companies. Experienced economists can find positions at think tanks and consulting firms and as instructors at colleges and universities.
To prepare for this field, getting a bachelor ’s degree in economics would be a logical start. Advanced degrees will take one higher in most organizations. One could also work into the field of environmental economics with a background in ecology, natural resources, forestry, marine science, agricultural economics, urban planning, environmental engineering, mathematics, statistics (especially biometrics), geographic information systems, international relations, international development, public health, sociology, or political science. Graduate degrees and internships would help one to make such a transition.
As in so many other environmental fields, languages will be increasingly important for environmental economists. And for novices, securing an internship in this area is highly recommended by most job search firms and university placement offices.
Find more valuable and detailed information in the Eco Guide to Careers that Make a Difference, published by Island Press for the Environmental Careers Organization, and at:
People who want to be environmental educators can work in a number of positions, some obvious, some not. Interpretive naturalists and environmental science professors teach about the environment, but so do camp counselors, staff members of museums and zoos, environmental advocates, and some corporate trainers.
What these people have in common is that they work to inform others about certain aspects of the environment and to teach them to think critically and creatively about how to protect the environment and to solve environmental problems. Other important goals of environmental educators are to teach about:
The settings for environmental education are in schools, colleges and universities, primarily, but also at nature centers, museums, zoos, aquaria, botanical gardens, state and national parks, and corporate training centers. The environmental topic area has steadily expanded in school curricula, but this has not translated directly to new job openings. Instead, science teachers have incorporated environmental education into their curricula, and there is a trend toward integrating environmental education into other parts of the general curriculum. Nevertheless, about half of all teachers working now in the United States will be retiring between 2010 and 2015, so positions will be opening up for science teachers prepared to teach on the environment.
Most days on the job for environmental educators take place in classrooms. Field trips are invaluable for teachers and students, but time and funds for such trips are generally limited in public schools. However the Web is a burgeoning resource for teachers and professors. (See a sample of good links at the end of this article.) Teachers must be savvy about blogs, webzines, and other websites and their worth relative to each other and to other resources.
Those other resources include other environmental education professionals, such as those working at nature centers and government natural resource agencies. Other teachers of science, social studies, history, and economics can also provide resources, especially as environmental education becomes more integrated into curricula.
Teachers will have to deal increasingly with issues related to, but not central to environmental education. For example, environmental justice is a growing concern, for which some knowledge of politics and economics would be helpful to teachers. As they deal with such issues, teachers will have to steer a course among varying agendas that affect students—agendas of corporations, churches, public interest groups and politicians, for example—while staying close to the scientific basis of environmental education. Various environmental educators’ professional organizations espouse the following principle: teach students how to think, not what to think, about environmental issues.
The largest employer of environmental educators in the United States is public schools, including colleges and graduate schools. Another big employer is the U.S. Department of Interior, particularly the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management. The Environmental Protection Agency also has an office of environmental education. In state governments, departments of education usually employ an environmental education specialist. State natural resources agencies also employ interpretive naturalists, although not in great numbers. Environmental organizations the Audubon Society hire people who are trained as educators for various positions. And some corporations might have a use for trainers with an environmental education background.
Most positions involving environmental education require a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, environmental education, or science education, along with a teaching certificate. A master’s degree gives one an advantage in applying for teaching jobs. Coursework in environmental science is a must. Foreign languages and coursework in history, ethics, political science and economics would be helpful. Taking student teaching or counselor positions at summer camps or nature centers would help one greatly.
For people continuing in the field, and for those experienced teachers taking on environmental education for the first time, continuing education opportunities are very good. Several organizations, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, have teacher training programs. It helps to develop a specialty in the field, such as knowledge of prairies and prairie restoration, to enhance both daily teaching and long-term employment prospects.
Good sources for more details are The Eco Guide to Careers that Make a Difference from The Environmental Careers Organization, published by Island Press, and the following organizations:
Environmental journalists can work in a variety of jobs. The most obvious, and probably most sought after, would be covering the environmental beat for a newspaper, magazine, radio station, or television station. The second most obvious, and probably the fastest growing employment area, is writing web content for organizational sites, blogs, webzines and other websites.
Another employment area for environmental journalists could be categorized as “environmental communication.” Many such positions involve less journalism and more information management. Public information offices of companies and government agencies have such positions available. Communication offices and publications of environmental organizations also hire such professionals.
For many publications, the one who writes about the environment is the reporter covering the science beat. This is fitting, because on most days, an environmental writer must deal with quantities of complex scientific information. The writer’s job is to boil down data and complex information into an explanation or narrative that lay readers can easily grasp.
Mastering that skill is increasingly important for three reasons. First, for environmental reporting to be reliable, to be taken seriously, and to withstand strong critiques, it must be solidly based on scientific findings. Second, environmental problems are growing more complex. For example, it is much harder to explain why ocean acidification is a problem than to describe what causes a river to become flammable. And finally, news reporting in most media has become ever more brief and simplified, making it more of a challenge to fit complex material into the space available to the writer.
Some environmental writers are less science-oriented in their work and spend more time writing about outdoor sports and other activities. They are usually called outdoor writers, and can fit under the umbrella of environmental journalism. However, they tend not to cover environmental issues, at least not directly, and they are less likely to include scientific content in their writing.
One skill that is necessary for tomorrow’s environmental journalists will be easier to master for young newcomers to the field than for many veteran journalists. That is, they must be web-savvy. They must be able to grasp the style and content most appreciated by Web consumers—the informal usages, the humor, and the use of hot links so prevalent on blogs and other sites. Some newspapers, magazines and books are strongly influenced by the web in their layouts and content presentation.
As in any journalistic pursuit, environmental writers spend much of their time reading, keeping current in multiple areas. Most journalists travel to the locations of unfolding stories. Many environmental journalists get to travel far and wide. Closer to home, environmental journalists can make use of resources like a local arboretum, nature center, zoo or aquarium. And of course, much of their time is spent on the solitary work of writing, often with tight deadlines.
Most environmental journalists work in the private sector for newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and web publishers. The free lance market is growing, as is the number of free lance environmental journalists, although to find work, they generally need a fair amount of experience, evidenced by a generous file of published clips. Book publishers sometimes have need for journalists to work as contributing editors. Environmental organizations that publish newsletters, magazines and websites also employ environmental writers. Often these needs are filled by free lance writers. Corporations, such as energy companies, that have daily dealings with environmental issues sometimes hire environmental writers.
In the public sector, federal agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Park Service employ environmental communicators as writer and editors. So do many state agencies and some municipal offices.
To prepare for this work, getting a bachelor’s degree with an environmental journalism major, or at least coursework in this area, would be essential, if not always required. The number of U.S. universities offering programs in environmental journalism has grown steadily to about 30. (See www.sej.org/careers for a listing of these programs.) Short of completing such a program, getting an education or experience in science journalism is invaluable.
Like most professions, working as a reporter requires on-going education. Professional associations are helpful to journalists in providing opportunities for keeping up to date on all aspects of the job. Mid-career workshops and seminars are led by organizations like the Foundation for American Communications and the Environmental Journalism Center, the latter sponsored by the Radio and Television News Directors’ Foundation. There are also fellowship programs available for international work experience, in which journalists in two countries trade locations and jobs for a period of time.
Good sources for more details are The Eco Guide to Careers that Make a Difference from The Environmental Careers Organization, published by Island Press, and the following organizations and websites:
Laws and regulations are passed at every level of government to protect the environment. Within and around that body of law, environmental lawyers work—some seeking to uphold the laws, others working to change the body of law in some way. They work for government and tribal agencies, corporations, environmental groups, and as self-employed attorneys.
Daily work can involve researching facts of a case, interviewing clients and witnesses, writing briefs, and arguing cases in court. A public interest environmental lawyer might also spend time teaching people about the law, how to advocate for some cause, and how to influence policy. Lawyers also prepare publications, write proposed laws and regulations, address groups, and testify at hearings. Advocacy is part of most environmental lawyer’s work, but so is mediation—bringing people together and settling arguments. Specific content of their work varies greatly, depending on who their clients are.
State and local governments hire environmental law specialists to help create policy. Environmental groups hire attorneys to advocate for creating new laws or strengthening existing protections. Corporations hire environmental lawyers to help them comply with laws, but these attorneys might also be asked to advise on how regulations could be weakened or how proposed new laws could be defeated. Lawyers working for agencies or tribal governments might find themselves both fighting for some laws and working to repeal others.
To attend law school, one must first earn a bachelor’s degree. For environmental law, majoring in some aspect of environmental studies could be helpful, but is not necessary. Coursework in environmental studies would certainly be a plus. Beyond coursework, law prospective law students must learn the skills of argumentation and negotiation.
Law students must earn a jurist doctorate degree from an accredited law school, some of which have stronger environmental programs than others. They must pass their state or national bar exam before practicing. Internship experience will help prospective environmental lawyers as they enter this very competitive job market.
Good sources for more details are The Eco Guide to Careers that Make a Difference from The Environmental Careers Organization, published by Island Press, and:
Forestry is defined by the Society of American Foresters as “the science, art, and practice of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values.” The part of this description that has changed over time is the meaning of the last four words. While forestry was at one time mostly about managing forested land for the purpose of producing timber, it now serves a much wider range of goals, needs and values, including wildlife habitat, soil quality, water quality, wilderness preservation, and aesthetic values.
Traditionally, foresters have been concerned about the effects of pests, diseases, and fire—forces of nature that can destroy or degrade timber. Now with other non-timber values in mind, the list of foresters’ responsibilities is longer and more complex. Foresters are still concerned about pests, diseases and fire, but also about deforestation, forest fragmentation, air and water pollution, acid deposition, climate change, and biodiversity loss.
The growth in subfields of forestry reflects this growing complexity. Foresters can now specialize in forest ecology, forest restoration, urban forestry, agroforestry, watershed management, wildlife and fisheries, forest recreation, and geographic information systems (GIS) and other technology applications, in addition to the more traditional specialties of forest management, forest economics and policy, and teaching and research.
The duties within these specialties are growing more challenging and interesting. For example, forest economists now serve as consultants in economic development, helping communities and countries advance economically without degrading their forests. They also tackle the difficult problem of evaluating ecological services other than timber production, in order to place a monetary value on leaving a forest uncut, versus taking its timber. And some urban foresters look for creative new ways to manage interactions between suburban residents and wildlife and ecosystems.
Another factor that is increasingly important to foresters is the growing emphasis on green certification. As ecological services become more highly valued, there is more demand for certifying logging and wood products companies that use environmentally friendly techniques. There is an increasing need for foresters who are well educated on this process.
The daily work of a forester varies greatly, depending on one’s chosen specialty and geographic location. But most foresters have something to do with studying or overseeing some piece of land, be it a woodlot, a tree plantation, or a national forest. Forest managers are responsible for monitoring water quality, wildlife habitat, endangered species, and recreational trails on that land, as well as evaluating its timber and helping to control fires and other hazards.
Foresters typically spend most of their time outdoors, but they also work in labs and classrooms and appear at public meetings. Just about all foresters work with other people—landowners, loggers, business managers, and interest groups. And they often work with legislators and government agency staff to forge policies. They must balance public and private priorities in their advising and decision making about how forests are used. This requires good communication skills and political savvy.
Foresters are increasingly called on to use geographic information systems and other technological tools for mapping and valuation of resources. Some become specialized in such areas and use their skills to invent new tools and to teach others how to use them.
You might expect that most foresters work for governments, but less than half do. Six of ten foresters work for land trusts, nonprofit organizations, and companies such as paper and wood product manufacturers and milling companies. The latter help their companies to maximize profits, but more and more, they also help the companies comply with regulations and obtain green certification in response to the need for more sustainable forestry.
Experienced foresters can join consulting firms, and some large firms offer internships to novices. Others work individually as consultants. They help tree farmers and wood lot owners to manage their land and to market their products. Consultants also help landowners preserve forests and restore degraded land.
In the public sector, government agencies employ foresters to manage public land. Some also work on expanding public holdings to create wildlife reserves or suburban green spaces. For example, in the United States, foresters work for the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, state natural resources agencies, and urban forestry departments. As in all other employment areas, there will be a wave of retirements and subsequent job openings starting in about 2010, as baby boomers close their careers.
One can start a forestry career with a two-year associate degree to become a forest technician, largely supporting the work of foresters. There are more than 25 two-year college forestry programs in the United States and Canada.
To become a forester, one needs a bachelor’s degree in some aspect of natural resources management from an accredited institution. In the United States, the Society of American Foresters (SAF) has accredited over 100 such programs in 48 universities. For pursuing higher-paying jobs, a master’s degree and/or experience in ecological research would be a plus. Coursework in resource economics, quantitative methods, communications, history and ethics will also be helpful.
Experience and training in use of GIS, GPS, and remote sensing tools will become increasingly valued by employers. And knowledge of the issues associated with green certification and of certification programs will also be valuable. Finally, organizational, management, and communication skills are highly valuable to foresters.
Good sources for more details are The Eco Guide to Careers that Make a Difference from The Environmental Careers Organization, published by Island Press, and:
Geographic Information Systems Specialist
Environmental scientists, resource managers, and business and government officials base many decisions on environmental factors. Often the detailed information they require is stored in different formats and different locations, making different sets of data hard to use or compare. Enter geographic information systems (GIS) and the specialists who design and operate them.
GIS tools—primarily computer hardware and software used to integrate and manage complex and varying sets of data within a geographic framework for purposes of mapping and modeling—are designed and applied by GIS specialists. Applications in environmental science are numerous. For example, a developer could use GIS to describe the slope of the land, quality of the soil, and other information needed to minimize impacts on wetlands near a construction site. Or ecologists wishing to halt the spread of an invasive species could map the area, the extent of the invasion, and environmental factors in the area that will help or hinder their efforts. In both cases, a GIS specialist would likely be employed.
The job market for such professionals is expanding rapidly in business and government. At the federal level, in the United States, many agencies would employ GIS specialists, including the Forest Service, Park Service, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Bureau of Land Management, and may other agencies charged with managing land and aquatic resources. The same could be said for practically all state agencies that manage such resources. Resource management agencies in other countries’ governments also hire GIS specialists.
In the private sector, engineering firms, developers, oil companies, coal companies, mining companies, and timber companies all have need of GIS specialists. Engineering and GIS consulting firms supply many of these companies’ needs.
A GIS specialist obviously has to be trained in use of GIS tools (such as ArcView, ArcInfo and ArcGIS), but an understanding of geography and maps and familiarity with computer applications and programming in general will be very helpful. One has to be technically adept but also able to listen to and converse with people in various walks of life who will have no knowledge of GIS.
The most common route for GIS training is through special certificate programs at colleges and universities. One can also get a bachelor’s or master’s degree in GIS or receive college-level training in pursuit of a related degree such as in resource management or urban planning. A bachelor’s degrees in geography, cartography, or computer science would also be a good start. For environmental science applications, courses in environmental studies would be important. To advance into managerial, research or teaching positions, one would need an advanced degree.
Good sources for more details are The Eco Guide to Careers that Make a Difference from The Environmental Careers Organization, published by Island Press, and:
Hazardous waste specialists carry out the following major activities:
Given this broad range of activities, it is not surprising that hazardous waste specialists can come from a variety of backgrounds and work under numerous different job titles. Civil, chemical and environmental engineers can work as hazardous waste specialists; in fact, a growing specialty in engineering is hazardous waste engineering. Hydrogeologists, geologists, geophysicists, biologists, chemists, toxicologists, emergency response personnel, economists, accountants, lawyers, and environmental activists can also specialize in some aspect of hazardous waste from its creation to its disposal.
There are several important trends in this field. One is the growing importance of pollution prevention. Environmental scientists see this as a top priority, and industries are realizing that it is an important way to save costs and improve public relations. Another is the use of passive remediation—or bioremediation and phytoremediation—the use of plants and microorganisms for cleaning up contaminated areas.
A third important growth area in the hazardous waste field is the redevelopment of brownfields—contaminated urban areas that can be reclaimed for use as industrial parks or recreation areas. A fourth trend to watch is the explosive growth of electronic waste (e-waste) which will require unique solutions.
And finally, hazardous waste specialists are developing the approach called integrated waste management (IWM), which mixes the strategies of hazardous waste prevention, reuse, recycling, treatment, storage and disposal. IWM acknowledges that all such strategies are needed at one time or another and takes a proactive approach, planning the use of each strategy carefully. The goal is to minimize waste storage and disposal and to maximize prevention, reuse and recycling of hazardous waste.
Hazardous waste specialists work on such a variety of problems that it is impossible to describe a typical day in the life of such a professional. But taken together, their duties include many interesting challenges. For example, many developing countries want to stop using open dumps and institute technologies used in developed countries, such as incinerators, high-tech landfills, and storage structures. Hazardous waste specialists will increasingly be involved in technology transfer, and thus will travel and work internationally.
Engineers are also involved in perfecting the designs of such technologies and in testing improved versions in countries that already use them. And they are developing technologies for reuse and recycling of hazardous materials and other pollution prevention strategies.
Pollution prevention is a major research frontier and growing employment area. Chemists and biologists are busy finding substitutes for hazardous materials and ways to detoxify hazardous wastes. Industrial engineers are redesigning products and industrial processes to avoid or reduce the use of hazardous chemicals, and modifying existing processes toward the same end. Business managers and entrepreneurs are shifting from the selling of machines and materials to selling the services they provide, thus enhancing reuse and recycling efforts. And trainers and teachers are training workers to be more careful and efficient in their use of hazardous materials. Teachers, trainers, professors, journalists, and advocates can become hazardous waste specialists in their own fields.
The biggest employment area by far for hazardous waste specialists is in the private sector. Corporations hire hazardous waste managers or contract with hazardous waste management firms. In this industry, the emphasis is shifting from waste management to waste prevention, which will be carried our more by engineering and consulting firms than by management companies. Also, big manufacturing companies have their own programs for pollution prevention, and will hire specialists to execute those programs.
There are other growth areas. One is in designing, monitoring and improving bioremediation and phytoremediation processes. And financial, legal, and public relations specialists, along with green chemists, microbiologists and civil, chemical, and environmental engineers have work to do in cleaning up hundreds of thousands of brownfields, just in the United States, to say nothing of all other countries with such sites. Nonprofit interest groups such as environmental justice organizations employ a small number of hazardous waste specialists that could grow.
Governments employ a large number of hazardous waste specialists. In the United States, the obvious federal employer is the Environmental Protection Agency, but several other departments also hire specialists, including the Departments of Energy, Defense, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and the Interior. State employment in the United States is hard to predict with most states having on-going budget crunches. But more than half the states have budgets for pollution prevention programs and at least 40 states have offices that advise businesses on how to reduce and manage hazardous waste.
Local governments are responsible for hazardous waste emergencies, so larger cities all have hazardous waste specialists on staff. Local governments might also employ or at least consult hazardous waste specialists in their planning, public health, and water departments. More and more cities also have hazardous waste collection programs managed by hazardous waste specialists. And many cities contract with engineering firms to clean up hazardous waste sites.
One can enter the hazardous waste field with a two-year associate degree and become a technician. Advancement, however, usually requires a bachelor’s degree. There are many fields to choose from, however, including biology, chemistry, biochemistry, botany, geology, hydrogeology, toxicology, statistics, environmental science, engineering (civil, chemical, environmental and hazardous waste), public health, environmental health, health and safety, finance, economics, and communications. Coursework in any and all of these areas, regardless of major chosen, would be valuable, as would learning foreign languages. Computer skills are a basic necessity. Internships are highly valued by prospective employers of all stripes.
Pollution prevention has become a field of study that will grow. The number of pollution prevention programs in colleges and universities in the United States and several other countries has grown dramatically. Getting such an educational background would likely be a strong plus for entering the hazardous waste field.
Good sources for more details are The Complete Guide to Environmental Careers in the 21st Century from The Environmental Careers Organization, published by Island Press, and:
Hydrogeologists study groundwater—its locations, quantities, distribution, flows, and qualities. Some hydrogeologists focus on finding groundwater and mapping its deposits. Others focus on protecting or cleaning up contaminated aquifers (deposits of groundwater).
The first group is often concerned with locating supplies of drinking water. They might work on inventorying groundwater resources for municipalities, counties, states or countries. They might also be consulted to help with flood control efforts. And they might do pure research, studying how water moves through its cycle as it infiltrates soil, moves around underground and eventually goes back to the oceans.
The second group is more focused on monitoring pollutants that threaten groundwater, assessing levels of risk from such pollutants, cleaning up dangerous contaminated areas, and designing methods and tools for preventing such contamination. Hydrogeologists with this focus might also be involved in protecting watersheds and other aspects of drinking water supplies.
A hydrogeologist’s time is split among working in the field, in the lab, and in the office. Fieldwork is usually the least time-consuming of the three. Wherever they work, hydrogeologists are usually trying to solve puzzles. With few exceptions, groundwater deposits cannot be directly explored, so scientists use remote sensing tools and sophisticated mathematical and statistical techniques to gather data and assemble it to create a picture, as if they were assembling a jigsaw puzzle. This means that hydrogeologists spend much of their time designing, using, and improving on techniques and tools, including complex computer programs.
Entry-level hydrogeologists spend more time in the field than experienced scientists. Some of the fieldwork can be strenuous and challenging, taking one to remote locations to work long hours in unpleasant weather conditions. But fieldwork can certainly be enjoyable, as well.
Hydrogeologists doing research usually have to write grant proposals at one time or another. This involves creative thinking to design and improve programs and marketing of one’s strengths and ideas. Consulting hydrologists have to learn the same skills to gain clients and grow their businesses.
Working for large organizations such as state geological surveys or large environmental engineering firms, a hydrogeologist might become specialized in some aspect of groundwater mapping, protection, or clean-up. On the other hand, if one works for a smaller firm employing few specialists, he or she might learn a variety of skills, such as evaluating risks of certain hazards, interpreting laws and regulations, writing technical reports and proposals, and presenting reports to managers and regulators.
In the United States, about half of all hydrogeologists are employed by federal, state, or local governments. The most quickly growing job area is in private consulting. Such firms help companies comply with regulations, prevent pollution, and clean up contaminated groundwater for which they are responsible. They also contract with government agencies for the same purposes.
Employment opportunities are expected to grow faster than in most environmental science fields. This is spurred by increased concern about drinking water quality, groundwater pollution, and pressures on groundwater supplies as populations grow, especially in water-poor parts of the world. Again, the private consulting firms are expected to show the largest proportion of this growth.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand will grow especially for hydrogeologists who understand both the scientific and engineering aspects of groundwater pollution prevention and cleanup. As this becomes mandated in more and more states and countries, employment opportunities in those government agencies will also grow.
A bachelor’s degree is minimal preparation for this field and would gain one an entry-level technical position. A master’s degree is minimal for most applied research positions in government and industry. A doctoral degree is required for getting high-level research and teaching jobs. While planning to get a master’s degree in hydrogeology, one could obtain a bachelor’s degree in geology, chemistry, civil engineering, or some other closely related field. For anyone entering this field, coursework in geology, geochemistry, inorganic chemistry, calculus, statistics, engineering, natural resource conservation, and environmental science would be invaluable. Business management courses would be helpful to those planning on a consulting career.
As in all environmental science professions, hydrogeologists must expect to carry on continuing education. For many hydrogeologists, this would include keep up with environmental regulations and government permitting processes for industries whose activities affect groundwater. It would also mean staying current on advances in remediation and pollution prevention. Knowledge of GIS and other important tools, and of advances in these technologies, is also important for many.
Finally, as hydrogeologists usually work on teams and must plan their projects carefully, apply for grants, and report on their findings, strong oral and written communication skills are essential. Continuing education workshops and other opportunities exists for many of these needs.
Good sources for more details are:
Indoor Air Pollution Specialist
Social scientists also study waters, their value, and human perceptions and responses to water and its quality. Waters have been important to the rise and fall of civilizations, and anthropologists and archeologists look at the role of water in prehistoric societies.
To become a limnologist you may wish to study the physics of inland waters, their chemistry, or their biology. Many of us study the interactions among these and call ourselves ecologists as well as limnologists.
A desire to enter this area of science may come from curiosity about waters and how they work; an interest in a diverse world of microscopic plants and animals, aquatic insects, fishes and amphibians, and birds and mammals; a love of fishing, canoeing, or playing on the waters; ethical concerns about the importance of water and water ecosystems to our well being and sustenance.
Undergraduate courses in limnology play several roles. For those who may never be limnologists but instead want to know more about these ecosystems, the new knowledge will help them enjoy and steward the waters where they live as they pursue other careers. But these courses do provide an entry point for professionals, following some basic science courses. The field of limnology is complex, and for professional standing, a Masters and/or Ph.D. degree is necessary. The degree might not be in limnology, per se, but could be used in some aspect of the study, stewardship, and use of our waters.
Limnologists are employed in a variety of roles and organizations. Some of us are scholars and researchers at universities and colleges. Others are researchers, managers, teachers, or policy people for state or federal agencies involved in water quality, natural resources, recreation, or education. Some work for private companies such as consulting firms, electric power utilities, and other organizations that use or interact with waters. Still others work for nongovernmental organizations such as the Nature Conservancy and the Sierra Club, working to protect our waters.
So if our inland waters are attracting you, come on in the water is just fine.
Marine science is an excellent example of environmental science because it is a broad, interdisciplinary collection of fields. It includes marine biologists, ocean engineers, and oceanographers. And within oceanography, one can specialize in physical, chemical, biological, or geological aspects of the field. As a Sea Grant website explains, the list goes on: “marine educator, science writer, filmmaker … ecotourism guide, park ranger, beach superintendent, maritime or environmental lawyer … aquavet (veterinarian specializing in marine or aquatic animals), marine archaeologist, marine historian … and so on.” (See list of websites at the end of this article.)
One might imagine that marine scientists spend most of their time on a boat casting nets and underwater studying sea creatures. In fact, their time is divided between field and lab work. While marine scientists might venture out in a submersible craft or in scuba gear, they also make use of submersible robots and other remote sensing tools to collect data. Some scientists report that most of their time is spent indoors analyzing and interpreting collected data.
Regardless of where they work, the subject matter is fascinating and important. Marine scientists study sea life, but also how the oceans have evolved and continue to change. They study the chemistry of ocean water, causes and effects of ocean currents, geology of the ocean floor, and interactions between land and sea environments. Hence, they depend on knowledge and research from fields of biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and ecology.
Some oceanographers focus on mapping the ocean floor and monitoring currents. This involves exploring ocean depths in submersible craft. It also includes extensive use of geographic information systems, global positioning systems, remote sensing technology, and sophisticated computer programs.
Other oceanographers tackle the challenge of studying effects of human activities on the oceans. This vitally important work is not always pleasant because of the extent of degradation of some marine ecosystems. These scientists would study effects of pollutants such as oil on sea life and ecosystems, for example, or of photochemical smog drifting over the ocean. They study coral reefs threatened by pollution and acidification. They calculate the effects of global warming on ocean life. And some oceanographers concentrate on what can be done to reduce or eliminate these harmful effects and to restore degraded marine ecosystems.
More than half of all marine science PhDs land university research or teaching positions. A smaller portion of those with master’s degrees find university positions. Most marine scientists with master’s degrees work with federal agencies such, in the United States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Coastal U.S. states and other coastal nations have similar agencies.
In the private sector, marine scientists work for privately funded labs, environmental engineering firms, oil companies, map makers, instrument manufacturers and many others. Marine scientists can also work for nonprofit organizations such as the Ocean Conservancy. (See excellent career information at the Sea Grant website.)
The minimal requirement for entry level marine scientists is a bachelor’s degree in marine biology, geology, oceanography, or some closely related field. Coursework in biology, ecology, chemistry, physics, geology, geography, math and statistics are fundamental requirements for almost any work in this field. Master’s and PhD degrees allow for more advanced positions and higher pay. Research internships, experience with GIS, and scuba diving certification are also very helpful.
Good sources for more details are The Eco Guide to Careers that Make a Difference from The Environmental Careers Organization, published by Island Press, and:
The environmental harms of industrial agriculture—such as soil depletion, reliance on fossil fuels, water and air pollution, and biodiversity loss—make organic agriculture attractive to many people who would like to see a switch to more sustainable agriculture on a global scale. Also attractive to those considering a career in organic farming is the growing demand for organic meat, produce, and food products.
Organic farmers typically value natural systems and try to use them as models for their systems. That is, they seek to maximize use of renewable energy, to recycle and reuse farm wastes, to preserve and enhance biodiversity (using multi-cropping systems, for example) and to control pests naturally.
Some organic farmers see themselves as activists, seeking to change government policies and cultural norms. Thus they might attend county fairs and other venues to promote ecologically sensitive products and technologies. Or they might travel to county seats and state capitals to try to get governments to curtail subsidies for environmentally harmful farming practices and to implement subsidies for ecologically friendly practices.
Along with the attractive features of organic farming, would-be organic farmers must also be aware of pitfalls. Overhead costs of organic farming are high, and the going can be rough. Many organic farmers, after struggling in the early years of their careers, have given up. Many others have found niches in which they provide for themselves and others in ways that are very satisfying to them.
Organic farmers, like all farmers, spent most of their time in the field, literally. They do the plowing, seeding, weeding, watering, harvesting, and marketing that farmers have always done. But these activities are mostly much more time- and labor-intensive on organic farms than they are in typical 21st century industrialized farming operations. For example, using natural predation methods to control pests generally takes more time and human labor than spraying pesticides does. Extensive composting and recycling of crop and animal wastes also requires a lot of time and effort.
Organic farmers, most of whom run relatively small operations, also have to meet requirements for organic certification, such as strict USDA standards. This requires additional planning, record keeping, and documentation, in addition to that associated with daily operations of any small business. Cost control, smart and energetic marketing, and careful financial management are also part of the mix.
Many organic farmers enjoy the challenge of improving yields in ways that have not been widely tried or proven before. It requires creative and energetic efforts to make such improvements without the benefit of some of the tools of industrialized agriculture.
Most organic farmers are self-employed, or work for small- to medium-sized operations. There are a few larger corporately owned organic farms and their number will no doubt grow. Small farms can obtain contracts with organic food manufacturers, restaurants, and restaurant chains. A farmer who finds a niche specializing in growing spinach for example, is more likely to be able to get such contracts.
Many organic farmers make much of their living selling their products at farmers’ markets, or green markets. Food cooperatives and grocery store chains are also selling more organic products every year. Also growing is community-supported agriculture (CSA), in which farmers offer contracts to households in communities and supply them on a weekly basis with organic farm products.
While many farmers have college degrees, many others have become successful without formal educations. However, any farmer will benefit from knowledge of economics, finance, environmental science, and business management. Knowledge of farm operations and machinery are a must for beginners. Also, it’s crucial to know government rules and certifying agency rules defining what is organic and what is not.
Anyone wishing to begin a career in organic farming will benefit from talking with experienced farmers, most of whom are willing to share lessons they have learned. Working with such farmers, even for low or no wages, would be an excellent way to start. Growers’ associations, common in the United States, are also excellent sources of information.
In starting an organic farming business, the key word is care. Careful research into markets and costs, careful planning, and careful monitoring of results are all necessary. Successful organic farmers advise beginners to start out small and grow only as quickly as wise financial management will allow. Organic farming is an on-going exercise in self-education. Books and websites abound, providing excellent resources, such as the Organic Trade Association’s training tools (www.ota.com/bookstore/4.html ).
Good sources for more details are The Eco Guide to Careers that Make a Difference from The Environmental Careers Organization, published by Island Press, and:
Restoration Ecology Specialist
With our increasing population and resource use, humans have disturbed land and aquatic systems at an ever increasing rate during the past century. Now in the new century, people and governments are seeing the need for restoring ecosystems for the preservation of species, the maintenance of ecological services such as flood control, and the overall health of our economies that ultimately depend on healthy ecosystems.
Restoration ecology has subsequently grown in importance. Jobs are on the increase. This is because of a growing awareness of environmental degradation and a desire on the parts of landowners and governments for ecosystem restoration. A good example is the growing number of prairie restoration projects taking place on public and private lands. Also, some governments are trying to protect and restore damaged coral reefs. And restoring polluted, degraded estuaries is a high priority in several areas of the world.
Another factor is changing policies and laws that will increasingly require ecosystem restoration. For example, reclamation laws require mining companies to restore ecosystems disturbed by mining. Some states and countries are requiring the removal of dams to restore certain rivers and their floodplains. A certain amount of wetland restoration is mandated by the laws in some states and countries. Eventually, carbon sequestration may become a priority, which would lead to more forest restoration.
The field of restoration ecology is huge, varied, and rich with opportunities for aspiring ecologists. The field is fed by diverse disciplines, including botany, wildlife biology, chemistry, ecology, forestry, natural resources management, landscape architecture, and many more. A sampling of job openings listed on the website for the Society for Ecological Restoration (see the list at the end of this article) includes the following titles: range technician, biologist, ecologist, wetland specialist, assistant professor, academic dean, and executive lab director.
A typical day’s work for a restoration ecologist would be hard to describe. Daily activities are as varied as the field itself. In one way or another, all such specialists would deal with degraded land or aquatic systems, or the threat of degradation. For example, one might be dealing with the effects of erosion, overdevelopment, or invasive species. This could mean weeding an area and preparing land for tree planting one morning and, later the same day, speaking to a board of directors to try to raise funds for the same forest restoration project.
Many ecologists spend a lot of time measuring environmental factors like vegetation cover on a plot of land or acidity of a body of water. They obtain baseline data and then measure changes due to environmental degradation. This involves developing and improving tools and techniques for such data gathering. One might also have to spend time training others to do this work, which could mean writing or revising the training program to be used.
Restoration ecologists deal with complex issues and must try to explain them to lay persons and perhaps convince them to take certain actions. For example, a successful wetland restoration might require that a minimum amount of land be restored. Ecologists would have to explain this to landowners and convince them to commit the required amount of land to that purpose.
Restoration ecologists typically become very good at lab techniques and computer applications, but they must be equally effective in dealing with people in all kinds of situations. In addition to working with landowners, they must be able to present reports and proposals to local, national and international organizations, citizens attending public hearings, and potential funding sources. Many ecologists also spend time writing reports to superiors, articles for newspapers, magazines and websites, and grant proposals to secure necessary funds.
Employers of restoration ecology specialists run the gamut of public and private organizations. In the North America, federal agencies hiring such specialists include Environment Canada and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Department of Defense, National Park Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency, and Fish and Wildlife Service. Natural resource agencies in the states and provinces also have work for such specialists. There are a growing number of openings for lecturers, researchers, and professors at colleges and universities.
Local communities often undertake restorations on public land such as closed landfills, usually hiring consultants for that purpose. And local institutions like nature centers and arboreta often play a strong role in restoring wetlands, prairies, forests and other local ecosystems.
The private sector is rife with opportunities for restoration ecology specialists. Mining companies, timber companies, waste management firms, electric utilities, and environmental engineering firms all have a need for restoration specialists at one time or another. Large consulting firms, such as ECONorthwest and Reforestation Technologies International, employ such specialists. Experienced specialists often form their own smaller consulting companies.
Nonprofit organizations are a good source of information, along with limited employment opportunities, especially the larger groups like the Audubon Society, Wilderness Society, and Worldwatch. Smaller regional organizations such as Friends of the Everglades and Prairie Enthusiasts would also be good sources of information and possibly job leads.
A bachelor’s degree in a wide range of fields—including biology, chemistry, geology, forestry, range science, plant science, soil science, and ecology—is the first step to being hired as a restoration ecology specialist. One could work at the technical level in the field with a bachelor’s degree or less. But to advance as a specialist, be it as a company employee, an independent consultant, a professor or a researcher, one must get a graduate degree in an appropriate field. At least 20 universities worldwide (most of them in the United States) offer graduate programs in restoration ecology.
Regardless of majors and degrees earned, course work in the natural and environmental sciences mentioned above and in mathematics, statistics, biometrics, business management and communications, would be highly valuable.
Even with advanced degrees, field experience in ecosystem restoration is the best form of preparation for improving job prospects in the field of restoration ecology. That includes getting one’s boots dirty working on a forest, prairie, marsh or river bottom restoration project. In addition to using a shovel and a rake, one would also benefit greatly by learning to use geographic information systems and remote sensing, and spatial analysis tools.
Good sources for more details are The Eco Guide to Careers that Make a Difference from The Environmental Careers Organization, published by Island Press, and:
Soil science involves a complex mix of research and applications that yields information essential for agriculture, mining, road and building construction, landscaping, water supply, waste management, wetland protection and forest management. It is fundamentally important to our societies and economies.
Soil scientists study the composition of soil, its physical, chemical and biological content, how it forms and changes, how it is used and abused, and how it can be conserved. Soil scientists report their findings to government agencies, farmers, private firms and other users of the soil. They inform such people about the nature of particular soils and how they can best be used and conserved. They inspect contaminated soils and help with cleaning them up. And they help with planning of projects to avoid chemical spills and other sources of contamination.
This means spending time outdoors collecting samples from various locations as well as time in the lab analyzing samples and interpreting data. More and more, it also means knowing how to interpret geographical information system (GIS) output, aerial photographs and satellite images and working effectively with computers and software. Finally, a soil scientist must be good at writing, presenting and communicating with non-technical clients.
Soil scientists work for government agencies, universities and private companies in a variety of positions such as those listed at http://soils.usda.gov/education/facts/careers.html. A few examples are: wetland specialist, board of health hydrologist, county agricultural agent, landscaper, farmer, agribusiness marketing manager, and conservation planner.
Many soil scientists work for federal governments such as, in the United States, the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Land Management, National Forest Service, Geological Survey, and Bureau of Reclamation. Agriculture departments in other countries and in U.S. state governments all employ soil scientists, as do almost all county governments in the United States. University extension services and academic departments in agriculture and forestry schools employ professors and lecturers with a soil scientist background.
In the private sector, opportunities abound with agribusiness firms, food companies, seed companies, timber companies, and mining companies. Consulting firms serve the needs of corporations and government agencies that do not employ soil scientists for whatever reason.
Almost all employers require at least a bachelor’s degree. Knowing one or more other languages will assist applicants for jobs with multinational companies. Familiarity with GIS and remote sensing technologies as well as good communication skills will be a great help to aspiring soil scientists. Advanced degrees will open the door to higher level research, teaching, consulting, and business management positions.
Good sources for more details are Environmental Careers in the 221st Century from The Environmental Careers Organization, published by Island Press, and:
Water is vital for all life on earth. But this essential resource will be strained increasingly during this century as the human population continues to grow and to become more concentrated in urban areas. Water pollution already threatens the health of millions of people and of ecosystems worldwide. As water supplies dwindle in many areas, food production and other key elements of human societies will be more endangered. For this reason, water quality is one of the largest and most diverse environmental career fields.
Water quality specialists are employed in scientific research, engineering, planning, management, administration, and law, to name just a few fields, each of which is also diverse. For example, within engineering, there are agricultural, civil, environmental, and hydraulic engineers. They study how water flows in natural systems, how human-made systems can control the flows, and how this knowledge can be applied in various settings for human needs. Other professionals who work as water quality specialists include biologists, chemists, hydrologists, public health officers, watershed planners, and attorneys.
Specialists can also be categorized according to the waters they study. They may focus on ecosystems such as rivers, wetlands, or estuaries, or on human-made systems such as drinking water supplies, wastewater treatment plants, and hydroelectric reservoirs. Where water quality professionals were once employed mostly to run such human-made systems, they now also find work in protecting coastal waters, managing watersheds, and stopping wetland destruction.
Depending on their specialties, water quality specialists spend their time in a variety of ways. They might spend time sampling water for content analysis, studying flows of groundwater or surface water, conducting environmental impact assessments, writing reports and articles, speaking to groups, planning and managing projects, teaching students, and training professionals. In all such daily aspects of their jobs, three priorities are increasingly important to water quality professionals: pollution prevention, ecosystem protection, and sustainable development.
The largest employers of water quality professionals are government agencies such as (in the United States) the Environmental Protection Agency, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, and the Army Corps of Engineers. State agencies in the United States are responsible for inventorying state waters, managing waters for fishing and other recreation purposes, administering state laws to protect the waters, and formulating policy. Municipal agencies manage urban water supplies and wastewater treatment. International agencies like the United Nations and World Bank also employ water quality specialists.
The private sector is a growing job market for water quality specialists. Engineering firms, hydrology consulting firms, and manufacturers of water quality control supplies and equipment all employ such specialists. Many industrial firms employ water quality researchers. And water quality consulting firms are growing in number. A water quality specialist might also become an instructor at a technical college or university while working as a consultant.
A water quality specialist can start out with a two-year associate degree, but generally, a bachelor’s degree is necessary for advancement. Of course, masters and doctoral degrees will take one higher in any subfield. Degrees in any number of fields, including biology, chemistry, geology, ecology and engineering are common among these professionals. Internships—available at local public works departments and engineering and consulting firms—provide valuable experience.
Good sources for more details are The Complete Guide to Environmental Careers in the 21st Century from The Environmental Careers Organization, published by Island Press, and: