Any Environmental Scientists, Consultants, Managers out there?

[Rhino1]

Hi guys,

I am seeing plenty of teachers, IT specialists, financial gurus and trades people out there but did not notice anyone in the environmental sciences field yet. Feels a bit lonely out here...

Anybody out there in these fields that have Australian experience of the industry? I will be doing the 190 state sponsored Visa route (subject to positive skills assessment and IELTS of course), under Environmental Manager.

I found the following article concerning job prospects in this field in Australia, but would love some local Ozzy feedback:

Enviro Jobs in Australia

From recycling initiatives to renewable energy and installations of solar panels - there are many prongs to a career in natural resource management.

On a global scale, the forecast for environmental management services and products to 2020 is expected to double, reaching $2.74 trillion, half of which will be devoted to efficient energy use. Projected investment to 2030 is $630 billion, generating 20 million more environment jobs worldwide.

Those green jobs will range from environmental engineers and environmental consultants to green building architects and wind energy engineers, plumbers who install solar water heaters, indeed anyone involved with natural resources.

In this piece we review the role of environmental scientists whose work in the public and private sector may encompass research or investigation into pollutants or hazards that have a detrimental impact on the environment or people’s health; or collecting and analysing data from air samples or food, soil or water.

In the five years to 2011, environmental employment increased by just over 62%. This is indicative of the number of programs and initiatives spawned by what is the increasingly important environmental sector that goes well beyond environmental scientists to encompass anyone concerned in sustainable, environmental design, policy or technology.

More than 84% of environmental scientists are employed full-time, working an average 38-hour week, compared to the 41.3 hours averaged across other occupations. And according to the ABS EEBTUM survey of August 2011, gross weekly earnings for environmental scientists working full-time stood at $1,250 ($65,000 annually).

The average age of environmental scientists is 38 years, but almost one third (31.5%) are aged 45 or over and about 38.5% are female.

They are a well qualified group: around 75.6% of environmental consultants boast a bachelor or higher degree; 8.6% have a certificate III or IV and 6.1% an advanced diploma or diploma.

Each year 5.9% of environmental scientists quit their career, which indicates that as a vocational group they are relatively stable, given the average rate of movement across other occupations is more than double at 14.2%. Unsurprisingly, unemployment for environmental scientists is below average at just 1.4%.

The outlook for environmental scientists is definitely sunny with long term growth in environmental employment projected at a sizzling hot 93.7%.

- See more at: http://envirojobs.com.au/#sthash.LelbQ8BV.dpuf

Edited August 16, 2013 by Rhino1

[AndreaL]

It depends where you are heading, your past experience and if you want to work for government or industry ( I'm second year Env. Sci student). Get your profile On Linkedin and add some enviro groups there.

[Rhino1]

Thanks Andrea, appreciate the feedback. Best of luck with your studies. What area of specialisation are you into?

[AndreaL]

I'm having a crisis of choice.....options are land management, water, geography, OH&S......there used to be a sociology core but not anymore. We also have a science degree at my Uni which combines a bit of land and water with ecology and conservation.....or a more agricultural core.

I've pretty much gone through my core subjects (12) which are a mix of law, geography/geology, conservation, biology, chem, stats/demography, envi. sociology etc, and now have to choose a core plan (6) and electives (6)............attending residential schools 500km away has to be worked into all of this too and is somewhat problematic and influences choice.

I'm a 40 something Mum of two and my degree is more to do with pleasure than any great career aspirations, although I am drawn to land rehabilitation (mining) as I live in the Bowen Basin and have always loved geology ( but not maths smart enough).

I'm with CQUniversity doing the CA42 http://handbook.cqu.edu.au/Handbook/programs_4.jsp?s=4&code=CA42

The CU18 Bachelor of Science (Specialisation) is quite interesting too http://handbook.cqu.edu.au/Handbook/programs_4.jsp?s=4&code=CU18

How does that compare to RSA ?

Ae you heading for coast or inland, as that could influence available opportunities?

[Rhino1]

The subjects are generally available at most universities in South Africa, although I have not noticed a strong land management component yet, or landcare as it is referred to in Aus and NZ . One has to customise the course using the electives and hopefully end up with a qualification that is relevant and in demand. I would recommend specialisation in a field such as rehabilitation, contaminated lands and land management as the job opportunities seems good in Oz. Environmental Auditing, compliance etc. also seems good.

Subject to skills assessment, we are planning to head down to Adelaide. Over the last few months I noticed Environmental Manager posts for mining in the South Australia region, but some of them are fly in and out. This cant be good for family life, but I could consider such position as a start out. I have done different courses and qualifications over the years - I've even done horticulture - so I can venture into a number of fields. I however specialised in Environmental Resource Economics during my M.Sc studies.

I would love to study further when I get to Oz. I applied for a Ph.D scholarship at the South Australia University in May this year. Among the entry requirements was PR or Citizenship. I was open up front and told them I am in the process of visa application. The professor made regular contact with me and showed keen interest in my academic background, publications etc. In the end I had to withdraw as I did not have the entry requirements (PR visa). He however asked me to contact him as soon as I land, so who knows? The nice thing about these scholarships is it pays for tuition fees and they pay you a monthly subsistence. So I may also become a full time student again at 40

Eish, but I must make up my bloody mind... I also looked at the Masters in Integrated Water Management, which can also be done through a scholarship. Anyhow, never too old to learn, but a life long learning approach is even better

Edited August 18, 2013 by Rhino1

[Erik]

I'm in chemistry and obviously searching for science jobs all the environmental jobs also come up. It seems like Environmental Auditors are high in demand and they get paid a mint! I'm seriously considering trying to get into that racket

[Rhino1]

One needs to do a EMS (Environmental Management Systems) and ISO 14001 Lead Auditing course to supplement your existing environmental and physical sciences background to be eligible for a Lead Environmental Auditor registration (EMS Auditor or Lead Auditor) with IRCA (International Register for Certified Auditors). I think it is well worth the training. Erik, I think with your Chemistry background you will be sought after with this certification in specialist industries (mining, chemical plants, waste disposal, air quality, pollution control, contamination etc.).

[AndreaL]

If you guys are looking at mining ( and that is where the big money is) you need to focus on WA, QLD and NSW.

Perhaps also have a look at CSIRO too. Landcare would put you more into the government sector.

Our current Environmental Manager at the mine hubby works at used to work for the then named Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) . I find it quite ironic that he used to be the one fighting the mines re water releases and issuing permits and now has to try and oversee compliance issues of the EIS.

[Maktub]

Rhino have a look at the PhD scholarship again, as I am on that exact scholarship (tuition and stipend) and do not have PR or Citizenship, and it was never a requirement. Is this a requirement of the university? Granted, I am here on a post-grad student visa, which you probably do not want to do (although you can bring your family over on it - but it is a temporary visa).

Contact the university's international department and find out more, especially if the Professor was interested...they can make it happen! Otherwise check out other universities and their requirements and scholarships.

Universities here will go a long way to get PhDs, as they get a huge payout from the government for every PhD that finishes (under the current gov't anyway), so I have seen them jump through fire for their students (where I am anyway...helps to be at a regional uni).

PM me if you need more info.

[Rhino1]

Hi Maktub, thank you for your reply. I am aware of the fact that most universities offer international scholarhips as well. The particular scholarship I was interested in was sponsored research by the South Australia Department of Transport (?) doing research on the soil stabilising effects of plant roots on embankments and to develop a model that will assist engineers in soil stabilisation along transport corridors. Since the project was not funded by the University, but by the state, the entry requirements was different in this case.

My UNISA prof has been on my case since completion of my M.Sc to carry on with the Ph.D but I have not had the time for it. Would love to do this in Australia as I think I will get better support for this. In general, and in your opinion do you think Ph.D's are valued out in the Australian industry or would you end up working for an academic or research institution (obviously subject to area of specialisation of course)?

[Maktub]

Bummer about that scholarship and its funding body and entry requirements!

To answer your question...I am in a completely different field (sport science)...haha I probably should't have replied to this thread in the first place !

I suppose, as you said, this is subject to your area of work/specialisation, and how what is seen as 'theoretical knowledge' (PhD) is valued in your field.

I have only ever had my eye on an academic/research career, so this is what I am working towards. I feel that a PhD is always highly valued in Aus, especially if you do your thesis around something practical (implementation-based) rather than theoretical...so that you have that working knowledge base for when you apply for jobs out in industry...and here, when you apply for jobs they actually look at your qualifications and experience, rather than 'other' factors that seem to be very important in RSA (if you get my drift).