Environmental consultant
Environmental consultants advise on sustainability, including waste management, recycling, flood risk and the effects of climate change.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As an environmental consultant, you could:
- assess potential impacts from industrial, commercial and environmental development projects
- collect and analyse survey data from sites, such as soil samples
- write scientific reports and present findings
- respond to environmental accidents and manage clean-up operations
- provide policy advice to businesses, landowners and the government
- advise organisations on environmental laws and regulations
We've identified this as a green job
As an environmental consultant, you'll make sure the design, construction and operation of a building project meets environmental and sustainability standards. This can have a positive impact on the environment.
Find out more about green careers
Working environment
You could work in an office or at a client's business.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you'll travel often.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could:
- move into a senior or principal consultant position
- apply for chartered environmentalist status
- work as a lecturer in education
- run your own consultancy business
- get involved in environmental research
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of geography
- maths knowledge
- analytical thinking skills
- thinking and reasoning skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- excellent written communication skills
- the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
You'll usually need a degree or postgraduate qualification in environmental science, environmental studies or environmental sustainability.
You might also be able to take a related subject like:
- biology
- chemistry
- geoscience
- ecology
- agricultural science
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
More Information
You could apply to do an Environmental Practitioner Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.
You might also specialise by completing a Soil Scientist Level 7 Apprenticeship. This is equivalent to study at postgraduate level.
Entry requirements
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
More Information
Volunteering is a great way of getting experience and a taste of environmental work. It will also give you the opportunity to develop your skills and make contacts.
Organisations who offer volunteering opportunities include:
You can find more opportunities through the Countryside Jobs Service.
Career tips
As a graduate you could look for environmental postgraduate training positions offered through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP).
In a KTP, you get the opportunity to run a research project together with an organisation and a university or research body. You may also work towards postgraduate qualifications.
Professional and industry bodies
You can join the Society for the Environment for your professional development and to make industry contacts.
Further information
You can discover more about environmental work and training through:
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.