Environmental Careers
Arboriculturist
Arboriculturists are responsible for tree maintenance, which can include planting and protecting them as well as cutting them down when needed.
Job profile of an arboriculturist from the Prospects website
Agricultural Consultant
Agricultural consultants provide business, technical and scientific advice and assessment services to farmers and the public sector.
Job profile of an agricultural consultant from the Target Jobs website
Job profile of an agricultural consultant from the Prospects website
Countryside Ranger
Countryside rangers supervise and protect wild areas and allow public entry to wild landscapes and animal habitats. Job profile of countryside ranger from the National Careers Service website
Ecologist
Ecologists study ecosystems and conduct field surveys, undertake environmental impact assessments and advise on habitat management.
Job profile of an ecologist from the Prospects website
Job profile of an ecologist from the All About Careers website
Ecotourism
The ecotourism sector provides sustainable alternatives for travellers. A wide variety of roles are available.
Information on the ecotourism sector from the All About Careers website
Environmental Consultant
Environmental consultants advise organisations on a range of environmental issues so that they can comply with the law and reduce any effects their operations may have on the environment.
Job profile of an environmental consultant from the Prospects website
Job profile of an environmental consultant from the All About Careers website
Environmental Education Officer
Environmental education officers raise awareness of conservation and sustainability through giving talks, teaching programmes to schools, families or community groups, leading guided walks, collating scientific data, recruiting volunteers, generating fundraising activities, and also organising promotion through leaflets, newsletters and websites. Job profile of an environmental education officer from the Prospects website
Environmental Manager
Environmental managers are responsible for assessing an organisation’s impact on the environment and implementing improvements that are in line with relevant policy and legislation.
Job profile of an environmental manager from the Prospects website
Job profile of an environmental manager from the Target Jobs website
Environmental Scientist
Environmental scientists assess the impact that humans have on the environment.
Job profile of an environmental scientist from the Target Jobs website
Field Trials Officer
Field trials officers prepare and monitor research trials through on-site and/or laboratory experiments on animals or plants.
Job profile of a field trials officer from the Prospects website
Job profile of a field trials officer from the Target Jobs website
Fisheries Officer
Fisheries officers assess and protect fish in a variety of habitats.
Job profile of a fisheries officer from the Prospects website
Job profile of a fisheries officer from the Target Jobs website
Fish Farm Manager
Fish farm managers are responsible for the operation of fish farms that breed and sell fish for the food industry.
Job profile of a fish farm manager from the Prospects website
Forest Manager/Officer
Forest managers/officers are responsible for the management of woodlands that have a variety of uses.
Job profile of a forest/woodland manager from the Prospects website
Government Research Officer
The research and analysis of government research officers is instrumental in the creation and change of policies. The research can be in a wide variety of areas including environmental research.
Job profile of a government research officer from the Target Jobs website
Job profile of a government research officer from the All About Careers website
Horticulturist
Horticulturists are responsible for the cultivation of plants for retail, public amenities and sports grounds.
Job profile of an amenity horticulturist from the Prospects website
Job profile of a commercial horticulturist from the Prospects website
Job profile of a horticultural manager from the National Careers Service website
Horticultural Consultant
Horticultural consultants provide advice to clients on horticulture.
Job profile of a horticultural consultant from the Prospects website
Job profile of a horticultural consultant from the Target Jobs website
Horticultural Therapist
Horticultural Therapists help people improve their mental and physical health through gardening.
Job profile of a horticultural therapist from the National Careers Service website
Marine Scientist
Marine scientists study different aspects of the ocean including marine life and environmental issues.
Job profile of a marine scientist from the Prospects website
Job profile of a marine scientist from the Target Jobs website
Nature Conservation Officer
Nature conservation officers oversee the protection and maintenance of local grasslands, woods, moors, mountains and marine habitats.
Job profile of nature conservation officer from the Prospects website
Job profile of a countryside officer from the National Careers Service website
Ornithologist
Ornithologists study all aspects of birds, including the ecology and conservation of their habitats.
Recycling Officer
Recycling officers design, monitor, improve and publicise recycling schemes.
Job profile of a recycling officer from the Prospects website
Job profile of a recycling officer from the All About Careers website
Research Scientist
Research scientists carry out experiments and report on their results.
Job profile of a research scientist from the Prospects website
Job profile of a research scientist from the Target Jobs website
Science Writer
Science writers compose print and online scientific articles, papers, company reports, journals and press releases for business, professional, technical and specialist publications. Job profile of a science writer from the Prospects website
Soil Scientist
Soil scientists analyse and report on soil for a variety of purposes ranging from assessing environmental damage, to determining if a site is suitable for construction to take place.
Job profile of a soil scientist from the Prospects website
Job profile of a soil scientist from the Target Jobs website
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability consultants advise clients on making their business/development as sustainable as possible.
Job profile of a sustainability consultant from the Prospects website
Volunteer Coordinator
Volunteer coordinators recruit and supervise volunteers and make sure that they receive the appropriate training.
Job profile for a volunteer coordinator from the Prospects website
Job profile of a volunteer work organiser from the Target Jobs website
Waste Management Officer
Waste management officers oversee waste management arrangements to ensure that communities are kept clean and that waste is disposed of in the most sustainable way possible, complying with all relevant legislation.
Job profile of a waste management officer from the Prospects website
Job profile of a waste management officer from the All About Careers website
Water Quality Scientist
Water quality scientists test water to ensure it meets water quality standards.
Job profile of a water quality scientist from the Prospects website
Job profile of a water quality scientist from the All About Careers website
Zookeeper
Zookeepers care for animals in captivity.
Job profile of a zookeeper from the National Careers Service website
For further information on these careers, see also:
- I Want To Work In
- Information on types of jobs from Prospects
- Information on career sectors from TARGETjobs
People in some environmental roles may be self-employed.
Please note that some of these careers may require further study.
Other Careers
An Environmental/Biodiversity/ Wildlife/Conservation degree may be useful in the following career areas:
Charity Officer
There are a variety of different roles within charities including project management, volunteer co-ordination and fundraising.
Job profile of a charity officer from the Prospects website
Job profile of a charities administrator from the Target Jobs website
Job profile of a charities fundraiser from the Target Jobs website
Civil Service Administrator
Civil Service administrators carry out a variety of tasks depending on the Civil Service department they work in. The Civil Service delivers public services according to government policy.
Job profile of a Civil Service administrator from the Prospects website
Community Development Worker
Working in communities and liaising with different agencies to bring about improvements. Some work may be targeted towards certain groups of people e.g. the unemployed or the homeless.
Job profile of a community development worker from the Prospects website
Job profile of a community worker from the Target Jobs website
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Corporate social responsibility managers develop and oversee the implementation of company policies on ethical and sustainable ways of working.
Job profile of a corporate social responsibility manager from the All About Careers website
Energy Manager
Energy managers look at how an organisation can save money and help protect the environment by reducing energy consumption and by using sustainable energy.
Job profile of an energy manager from the Prospects website
Environmental Health Practitioners/Officers
Environmental health practitioners enforce and advise on public health regulations.
Job profile of an environmental health practitioner from the Prospects website
Job profile of an environmental health practitioner from the All About Careers website
Heritage Manager
Heritage managers are responsible for preserving and managing heritage sites. Job profile for a heritage manager from the Prospects website
Hydrogeologist
Hydrogeologists study groundwater with the aim of preserving it.
Job profile of a hydrogeologist from the Prospects website
Job profile of a hydrogeologist from the All About Careers website
Hydrologist
Hydrologists analyse and monitor water resources with the aim of protecting them and ensuring sustainable water use. They tend to study surface water in contrast with hydrogeologists that study groundwater.
Job profile of a hydrologist from the Prospects website
Job profile of a hydrologist from the All About Careers website
International Aid/Development Worker
International aid/development workers support people in developing countries. There are a large variety of different roles in this area including research, fundraising and relief work to name just a few. Job profile of an international aid/development worker from the Prospects website
Landscape Architect
Landscape architects design landscaped areas, taking into account factors like sustainability, environmental protection and cost. They also ensure that designs work well with any existing buildings/landscapes in the local area.
Job profile of a landscape architect from the Prospects website
Job profile of a landscape architect from the Target Jobs website
Local Government Officer
Developing policies and delivering local services. There are a huge variety of roles within local government including roles in social care, housing and education to name just a few.
Job profile of a local government officer from the Prospects website
Job profile of a local government administrator from the Target Jobs website
Oceanographer
Oceanographers study the ocean by collecting and analysing data. Oceanographers are likely to specialise in a particular area of oceanography e.g. biological oceanography.
Job profile of an oceanographer from the Prospects website
Job profile of an oceanographer from the Target Jobs website
Plant Breeder
Plant breeders work on creating new and/or better varieties of plants for agriculture and/or horticulture.
Job profile of a plant breeder/geneticist from the Prospects website
Job profile of a plant breeder from the Target Jobs website
RSPCA Inspector
RSPCA inspectors respond to concerns of cruelty against animals that often involves rescue, medical treatment, advising owners on proper care or perhaps issuing warnings/prosecuting people.
Job profile of a RSPCA inspector from the National Careers Service website
Information on becoming an RSPCA inspector from the RSPCA website
Scientific Sales Consultant
Scientific sales consultants use their scientific knowledge to sell scientific products to businesses.
Job profile of a scientific sales consultant from the All About Careers website
Teacher/Lecturer/Education Roles
There are a variety of opportunities within education from primary schools to universities.
Graduate jobs in teaching and education from the Prospects website
Town Planner
Town planners have the responsibility of trying to balance development for houses and commercial purposes with protecting the environment, ensuring sufficient infrastructure and taking into account the views of local people.
Job profile of a town planner from the Prospects website
Toxicologist
Toxicologists measure the effect that toxic substances have on animals, plants or ecosystems, and how harmful chemicals, biological agents and drug overdose may impact humans.
Job profile of a toxicologist from the Prospects website
Job profile of a toxicologist from the Target Jobs website
Transport Planner
Transport planners are responsible for looking at ways to improve or develop new transport systems.
Job profile of a transport planner from the Prospects website
Water Engineer
Water engineers design and maintain structures that involve the transport and storage of water as well as flood management systems.
Job profile of a water engineer from the Prospects website
You may be interested in graduate roles outside of Environmental, Biodiversity, Wildlife and Conservation Studies. There are many employers who are looking for graduates with good degrees but that don’t have a preference for the subject studied. To explore different career options see:
Skills Gained
As well as subject-specific knowledge and skills, an Environmental/Biodiversity/ Wildlife/Conservation graduate will typically be able to:
- Gather, collect and review information
- Analyse both qualitative and quantitative data
- Understand challenging ideas
- Present complex ideas efficiently using different media
- Explore concepts critically and from different perspectives
- Demonstrate communication and team-working skills through group work
Find a Job
The Careers and Employability Service provides information and advice on job searching to University of Kent students and recent graduates. This includes a vacancy database advertising a range of graduate jobs, sandwich placements and vacation work/internships. The websites listed below may also be useful when searching for a job and when looking for further information on this sector.
Public sector organisations
- British Antarctic Survey conducts research in the polar regions
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is the ‘UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy’
- Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland)
- Environment Agency (EA) is responsible for environmental issues in England
- The Guardian advertises Civil Service and local government job
- Jobsgopublic contains vacancies in the public and not-for-profit sectors
- Joint Nature Conservation Committee advises the UK Government on nature conservation
- Kent County Council recruitment website includes information on their Graduate Programme
- Local Government Association
- Local Government Jobs
- Marine Scotland is responsible for the management of Scotland’s seas
- Medway Council recruitment website
- National Graduate Development Programme for Local Government
- Natural Resources Wales is responsible for environmental issues in Wales including forestry
- Natural Environment Research Council
- Opportunities is a public sector jobs website
- Scottish Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for environmental issues in Scotland
- Scottish Natural Heritage
Professional bodies
- Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management
- Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
- The Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) aims to raise awareness of environmental science
- Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
- Chartered Institute of Waste Management
- Countryside Management Association
- Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment
- Lantra provides recognised training and qualifications for the environmental and land-based sector
- The Society for Conservation Biology
- Society for the Environment
Environmental job vacancy and information sources
- British Ecological Society
- Change Agents help graduates gain the knowledge and experience for a successful career in the environment
- Countryside Jobs Service
- Countryside Jobs Link
- The Guardian environment webpage
- Earthworks International environmental and geoscience jobs
- EnviroLink links to environmental organisations across the world
- edie.net provides business sustainability information
- ENDS Jobsearch Environment and energy jobs
- Environment Jobs
- Environment Jobs (different to the above)
- GeographyJobs.co.uk
- Green Jobs
- Nature Magazine
- Natural Environment Research Council provides information on awards, studentships, careers and job vacancies
- New Scientist
- People and Planet is a student-led environmental campaign group
Environmental recruitment agencies
- Acre Resources Environment, sustainability and energy jobs
- Allen & York Built and natural environment jobs
- Eden Recruitment Recruitment of experienced environmental professionals
- Evergreen Resources Environmental and built environment jobs and includes advice for graduates
Water companies and fisheries
- Anglian Water
- Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities
- Canal and River Trust provides comprehensive information on English and Welsh waterways
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Fisheries and marine research and consultancy
- Fisheries Management Scotland
- OFWAT is the water regulator for England and Wales
- South East Water
- Southern Water
- Thames Water
- Water UK is the industry association that represents all UK water and wastewater service suppliers. Links to all regional water companies
- Wessex Water
Environmental Consultancies
- ADAS delivers consultancy on policy, agriculture and the environment.
- Arcadis Consultancy on the natural and built environment
- ENDS Environmental Data Services provide intelligence on environmental affairs. Includes a consultancy directory and job search
- ERM Sustainability consultancy
- Golder Associates Earth, environment and energy consultancy
- Mott MacDonald provides consultancy for a range of sectors including on the environment
- Arup provides consultancy on the built environment
- Ricardo Engineering and environmental consultancy
- Royal Haskoning DHV provides consultancy for a range of sectors including on the environment
- RPS Consultancy on the built and natural environment, energy and water
- RSK Engineering and environmental consultancy
- Stantec provides environmental science consultancy as well as consultancy in other areas
- WRc International operates across the water, environment, gas and resource management sectors
- WSP provides consultancy for a range of sectors including on the environment
- Greenpages is a database of over 7,000 suppliers and environmental organisations from 147 countries
Voluntary and Charitable Organisations - Kent
- The Aspinall Foundation is an animal conservation charity with two wild animal parks in Kent (Howletts and Port Lympne)
- Kent Placement Portfolio Designed to help students gain real work experience. The portfolio is targeting environmental, sustainability, and climate change students
- Kent Wildlife Trust are a conservation charity covering Kent and Medway
- Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership manages countryside and urban green spaces throughout the Stour Valley
- Kent High Weald Partnership is based in Cranbrook and they get involved in habitat management projects
Voluntary and Charitable Organisations - National
- The Conservation Volunteers co-ordinate a wide range of conservation activities across the UK
- English Heritage protects historic places in England
- Field Studies Council is an environmental education charity
- Friends of the Earth
- Forestry Stewardship Council promotes responsible management of forests
- Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust research game and wildlife management in order provide advice on enhancing the countryside
- Greenpeace campaigns about environmental issues
- Groundwork supports sustainable communities
- The National Trust looks after areas of land and also historic buildings in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Natural England advises the government on the natural environment in England
- Naturenet is a voluntary organisation providing an online resource on countryside management and nature conservation
- Plantlife is a wild plant conservation charity
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a ‘global resource for plant and fungal knowledge’
- RSPB Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. There are opportunities at Blean Woods Nature Reserve near the Canterbury campus
- Scottish Natural Heritage is funded by the Scottish Government to protect the natural environment in Scotland
- Scottish Wildlife Trust campaigns on wildlife issues in Scotland and manages wildlife reserves
- The Soil Association campaigns on issues around agriculture and land use
- The Woodland Trust is a woodland conservation charity
- World Wide Fund for Nature is a charity that aims to protect the natural environment all over the world
- The Wildlife Trusts are a series of trusts that manage nature reserves across the UK
- Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust is a charity that protects wetlands
- Wildlife and Countryside Link is a coalition of conservation organisations
- Wildwood Trust is a wildlife park between Canterbury and Herne Bay
- World Land Trust is an international conservation organisation that protects vulnerable habitats
Oversees Volunteering Opportunities
If you are using a gap year organisation to organise your placement make sure that you research it thoroughly. Most placements go well, but there is a significant minority where students feel that the experience was nothing like that promised in the glossy brochure. So before you pay out lots of money make sure you know all about the project. You can find out more about gap year organisations on the Prospects website.
- Blue Ventures is a marine conservation charity
- BUNAC offer work and volunteering programmes abroad
- Careers Abroad offer volunteering and internship opportunities abroad
- Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit are involved in the conservation of cetaceans in Scottish waters
- Coral Cay Conservation is a marine conservation organisation
- Earthwatch is an international environmental charity
- Ecoteer links travellers with charities and social enterprises involved with conservation and sustainability
- Experience International provides placements in the USA
- Global Vision International are involved with community and conservation projects
- Gapforce provides gap year programmes and expeditions
- Greenforce provides conservation and volunteering projects abroad
- Outreach International provides international volunteering opportunities
- Pacific Island Jobs (PIJ) 'one stop shop' for those wanting to work or volunteer in the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. Vacancies advertised focus on the environment and social change
- Projects Abroad provides volunteering projects abroad
- Raleigh International Sustainable development community volunteering projects for young people
- Seed Madagascar (Sustainable Environment, Education & Development in Madagascar) is a British charity working on conservation and sustainable development projects in Madagascar
- Student Conservation Association aims to develop conservation leaders
- Trekforce Expeditions provide expeditions and training courses
- Voluntary Service Overseas are involved in projects with a focus on fighting poverty
- Wildlife Action Group - Malawi manage two forest reserves in Malawi
- World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) Volunteer and gain skills by working on organic farms throughout the world.
You may also find useful reviews and application/interview tips for specific organisations on the following websites:
Glassdoor
The Job Crowd
Further Study
Just over 23.5% of Environmental Science graduates go on to do further study (source). Some do postgraduate courses to specialise in a particular area of their undergraduate study and this can help for some of the more competitive roles (although volunteering and work experience is just as important). Others do further study so that they can move into research or academia. There may also be options to go into teacher training or other vocational areas.