Environmental consultants ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations and promote sustainable practices. A bachelor’s degree in related fields is required, but a master’s or engineering degree is increasingly necessary. Specialization in niche areas is recommended. Business, communication, and technical skills are essential. Demand for environmental consultants is increasing.
Environmental consultants help companies ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations and help industries employ more environmentally sustainable practices. The career is based on science and technology. There are many types of environmental consultants, each with different levels of experience. Generally, the first step to becoming an environmental consultant is to earn a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as environmental science, environmental engineering, chemistry, biological science, hydrogeology, or wildlife management. Strive to maintain an interdisciplinary scientific background to ensure you have a broad knowledge base before you can work as an environmental consultant.
Don’t stop at a bachelor’s degree if you want the edge in getting a job. A master’s or engineering degree is increasingly required to become an environmental consultant, especially as the career becomes more competitive. Now is the time to consider specialization. By creating a niche for yourself, you will receive specialized training and easily become an expert in your chosen field. Popular specialties include wastewater management, civil engineering, hydrogeology, organic chemistry, conservation and ecology.
After earning your degree, check to see if your state has the necessary licenses or certificates to become an environmental consultant. You may need project-by-project certification. Then choose who you want to work for. An environmental consultant may work alone as an entrepreneur, with an environmental consulting firm, or be employed by a corporation or government agency, as an employee or contractor. If you work with a company or government agency, you may receive in-house training upon hiring. If you’re working alone, you’ll need to find clients and get the word out.
When hiring an environmental consultant, companies look for someone with excellent communication skills, who can complete projects on time, who has knowledge and experience in completing the project they are applying for, and who has established procedures for controlling and ensuring quality. To become an environmental consultant, you will need to have business skills, be able to work with spreadsheets and present graphs and charts to clients. You may also need a driver’s license. Computer skills, data analysis skills and the ability to use a global positioning system (GPS) are also required. To become an environmental consultant, you will also need to be up to date with the latest environmental rules, regulations and laws to ensure your clients are in full compliance.
According to the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be an increasing demand for environmental consultants as more companies integrate environmental concerns into their development and as more industries employ preventative management practices.
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