Environmental Science is one of the most booming career options in recent years. The last decade saw a huge surge in demand for B.Sc Environmental Science students in the different verticals of the industry. New job roles are emerging in this field day by day.
The present article tries to enumerate a few important job roles that are available for B.Sc Environmental Science students. The job roles discussed here are identified by doing extensive research in the field of environmental science.
Let’s discuss in detail:
Environmental Consultant
The environmental consultants are responsible to provide technical assessments and advice for their organisation. They are responsible to guide the organisations towards development of sustainable technologies for their businesses.
Role of an Environmental Consultant
As an Environmental Consultant one will involve in providing expert advisory and assessment services to the organisation with aim of minimising or eliminating environmental damage. He/she is responsible to study the implications caused on the environment that are caused by waste effluents released from the factories.
Responsibilities of an Environmental Consultant
As a responsible environmental consultant, one is needed to:
- Conduct field surveys and collect data about the levels of pollution or contamination on a site of consideration
- Carry out desk-based research, interpreting data which can include using software modelling packages
- Write reports and share findings with multi-disciplinary colleagues, clients, sub-contractors
- Advices on best courses of action based on research findings
- Develop conceptual models, which involves identification and consideration of potential contamination
- Research previous investigations of site to provide information to clients considering purchase
- Undertake fieldwork to identify previous activities on the site and any contamination
- Look at the suitability of new developments, like housing, power stations, wind farms or other large sites that may impact the environment
- Be updated with the latest developments in the Environmental conservation
Salary
- Starting salary for a fresh B.Sc Environmental Science graduate will range from 4 lakhs to 6 lakhs per annum
- The experienced professionals will be earning around 6 lakhs to 8 lakhs per annum
Nature Conservation officer
The Nature Conservation officer is responsible to encourage others to enjoy and protect the environment. He/she has to create awareness about environmental conservation and ensure that everyone follows the same.
Role of a Nature Conservation Officer
As a nature conservation officer, one will work to protect, manage and enhance the local environment. This can include grassland, woodland, forests, coastal areas, mountains and rivers depending upon the region they work.
Responsibilities of a Nature Conservation officer
As a Nature Conservation officer, one is needed to:
- Educate all sectors of the local community including local schools and colleges and raise awareness of environmental issues and nature conservation work
- Promote and implement local and national biodiversity action plans in partnership with local and national statutory and voluntary organisations including input into environmental impact assessments
- Prepare and implement annual management plans based on ecological surveys and scientific observation
- Evaluate and monitor features of nature conservation interest in habitats
- Maintain and develop your own knowledge and skills especially with regard to the knowledge of developments in policy, legislation and international regulations
- Promote concept of sustainability to the public, colleagues and fellow professionals
- Keep updated knowledge about new and latest conservation techniques
Salary
- Starting salary for a fresh B.Sc Environmental Science graduate will range from 5 lakhs to 7 lakhs per annum
- The experienced professionals will be earning around 7 lakhs to 10 lakhs per annum
Recycling Officer
As a recycling officer one will manage the local recycling schemes and plan and develop waste reduction policies. He/she works in different cities and is responsible to achieve full recyclability of the waste products to maintain a sustainable environment.
Role of a Recycling Officer
As a Recycling Officer one will help to create and deliver educational programmes and organise community, school and media coordinating activities. As a recycling officer one will be working with local authority and ensure that the produced waste is recycled properly and effectively in the metropolitan cities.
Responsibilities of a Recycling Officer
As a recycling officer one is needed to:
- Encourage households and businesses to recycle more
- Initiate new and improved recycling schemes
- Monitor, improve and expand existing schemes and facilities
- Strategically plan for the management and development of recycling and find new ways to meet local and national targets
- Work to best practice schemes and guidelines in order to maximise resources and reduce costs
- Collect data compile statistics and prepare funding bids
- Advice and assist local community groups in carrying out their recycling
- Manage and promote recycling initiatives through advertising and publicity campaigns
- Be aware of latest rules and regulations related to waste management
Salary
- Starting salary for a fresh B.Sc Environmental Science graduate will range from 6 lakhs to 8 lakhs per annum
- The experienced professionals will be earning around 8 lakhs to 10 lakhs per annum
Water Quality Scientist
As a Water Quality Scientist, one will be concerned with safeguarding all aspects of water quality through scientific analysis and setting targets and standards in response to specific legislation.
Role of the Water Quality Scientist
As a water quality scientist, one will be involved in providing solutions to water quality problems and water quality regulations. They are responsible to check the pollution water pollution levels and ensure that wastes are released to water are properly treated before the release.
Responsibilities of a Water Quality Scientist
As a Water Quality Scientist, one is needed to:
- Take water samples (although routine sampling may be carried out by technicians) from the water bodies
- Carry out laboratory testing of samples for chemical or microbiological parameters and in the case of drinking water, assess the quality of taste and clarity
- Analyse statistical data on water quality samples
- Visit sites of concern, such as potential sources of pollution or contamination and sources of complaints about drinking water quality
- Investigate reasons for lapses in water quality and suggest changes of solutions to the problems
- Provide advice on avoiding problems of discharging effluents
- Contribute to projects concerning water quality improvement
- Arrange emergency action in response to pollution causing incidents
- Keep updated about the latest techs and knowledge about water quality management
Salary
- Starting salary for a fresh B.Sc Environmental Science graduate will range from 4 lakhs to 6 lakhs per annum
- The experienced professionals will be earning around 6 lakhs to 8 lakhs per annum
Concluding Words
The demand for B.Sc Environmental science students has gained momentum in the last 5 to 10 years. The awareness about the conservation of the environment among the masses has developed a scientific knowledge about the renewable resources of the environment. Many factories are taking steps towards treatment of the effluents before they are released to the environment. The B.Sc Environmental Science students are required in large numbers in various organisations and production units to check the pollution levels caused due to the release of waste products.
The students with concern towards the environment can join the B.Sc Environmental Science course and earn a decent salary and also expect a good career growth in the field.