Environmental consultant jobs

Are you unsure about which environmental field will best suit you? Have you thought about using environmental consulting services? We have collected all the information that is pertinent to your inquiry! Continue reading to find out whether this option is suitable for you.

The term "environmental consultancy" refers to what exactly?

Environmental consultants (ECs) may take on a variety of responsibilities inside an organization, but their primary duty is to verify that their customers comply with all applicable environmental standards. This encompasses a wide variety of activities, including testing for compliance, taking samples, doing technical duties, conducting report research, and writing. Consultants may find employment in a variety of fields, specializing in areas such as pollution control, waste management, environmental policy, and so on.

What are some of the advantages of working as an environmental consultant?

Environmental consulting is an excellent method to obtain experience in a wide variety of fields within the environmental industry, seek possibilities to work independently, and acquire a large number of skills that are highly transferrable. ECs often have the ability to work more flexible hours than others, and depending on the nature of the task they are assigned to, they could also have more opportunities to travel. Consultants often have access to a corporate automobile as well as a company credit card, which enables them to execute business-related transactions such as purchasing lunches for clients. Last but not least, environmental consultants have the opportunity to engage with a wide variety of customers, which enables them to cultivate an extensive environmental network.

To what extent does working as an environmental consultant have its drawbacks?

It is essential to ensure that any profession you do provides for a sufficient amount of work-life balance and is in alignment with your beliefs. Just like any other line of work, this one has a number of significant drawbacks that should be taken into account. It is possible that the company you work for will demand you to keep track of your billable hours and put in extra time in order to complete the task. This degree of independence comes with a great deal of anticipated trust and self-motivation on the part of the individual. In light of this, it is important to mention that maintaining motivation might be challenging since some components of environmental consulting (such as collecting samples, evaluating data, etc.) can be repetitive for certain people. On the other side, if you are working with tough customers, it may be difficult to maintain your motivation.

Before you apply to a consulting firm, take careful to review all of its policies to ensure that your beliefs are compatible with those of the company. Some consulting firms deal with projects that may not be all that good for the environment in the long term.

How much do environmental consultants typically charge their clients?

Indeed cites a yearly income of around $69,000 as the median or average for ECs. This amount, however, may be rather variable based on a number of factors like your location, the kind of the work that you do, the employer that you are employed by, and the length of time you have spent working in the industry.

ECs do, on average, earn a higher salary than their counterparts who have equivalent experience working in jobs for governments or non-profit organizations.

In order to work as an environmental consultant, what kinds of talents are necessary?

Environmental consulting is a category of work rather than a specific job title in and of itself. Consider the possibility that you are a project manager for a company that specializes in environmental consulting or engineering. In spite of this, there are a few fundamental abilities that are essential for any EC to possess. These skills will be blended with the technical competence needed for the particular job description. Many ECs are required to have the same level of proficiency in front of a computer as they do while presenting to customers. ECs need to have the ability to gather and evaluate data on the environment, including information about contamination, pollution, radiation, and other topics. The consultant will be required to report their results to their clients once they have determined whether or not such levels are in compliance with environmental rules. In order for customers to comprehend the rationale behind the consultant's proposal, one of the most important skills required for this position is the capacity to simplify very complex material into easily digestible bullet points.

What kinds of educational experiences are typical for those who work as environmental consultants?

Common undergraduate majors for environmental consultants include environmental science, chemical engineering, and geology. A secondary concentration in business, communications, or public relations might be beneficial to you as well. No matter what field of study an environmental consultant majors in, they are required to have a comprehensive understanding of environmental policies and regulations, the collection of pollution samples, the analysis of data, etc., in addition to possessing "soft skills" such as communication and writing.

However, one of the reasons environmental consulting is so popular is that it provides a fantastic bridge into the environmental industry from other businesses. This is one of the reasons why environmental consulting is so intriguing. Because the "soft skills" required for environmental consulting can be learned in other consulting roles, individuals who already possess these "soft skills" and certain certifications that demonstrate environmental knowledge may still be considered for these roles if they also have the necessary environmental knowledge.

What certifications may environmental consultants get?

If, as a result of your previous line of work, you already possess the abilities necessary to become an EC, there are many other methods for you to acquire the environmental knowledge you will need. Obtaining a certification is the most effective strategy for demonstrating to potential employers that you have the level of expertise required to work in environmental consulting, despite the fact that you do not possess any kind of formal degree in environmental studies. The Certified Environmental Professional course offered by OSHA, the LEED Accredited Professional certification, and the Certified Environmental Professional certification offered by the Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals are all applicable qualifications.

Who is bringing on environmental consultants for their projects?

Independently or for major, often multinational, corporations are two common employment options for consultants. Although private corporations are most often the ones to hire consultants, the consultants themselves frequently work on contracts with either the government or the military sector.

In addition to this, working in the field of environmental consulting might open doors to job in a variety of other businesses. ECs often find employment in the construction or real estate industries; consultants may either work directly for the construction or real estate business, or they can work for an environmental consulting organization and have multiple different companies as their customers. On the other hand, there is a fast expanding need for jobs of this kind since businesses of all sizes, from Fortune 500 corporations to tiny start-ups, are becoming more aware of the importance of this industry.

How to get things rolling:

It is possible that The Environmental Career Coach's new Environmental Consulting/Management Training Program will be of interest to you if you are currently enrolled in school and have an interest in the rapidly developing field of environmental professionals. Career-seekers can benefit from this program by gaining the knowledge and experience necessary to become environmental consultants or managers (such as communication, project management, GIS, web design, and other relevant skills), all while working on a variety of projects and gaining an understanding of how to manage themselves as independent contractors. We anticipate launching in the autumn of 2021; thus, if you are interested, please complete our interest form so that you may be the first to be alerted of any developments on the application process!

If you are interested in starting a career in environmental consulting and have completed our program, the best method for you to learn about the job is to connect with environmental consultants on LinkedIn and use your network to learn about the day-to-day responsibilities of this position. Volunteering, becoming a member of a board or advisory committee, or job shadowing established environmental consultants are all excellent ways to get the experiences necessary to acquire the abilities described above.