Environmental managers work for organisations in the private, public and voluntary sector to oversee the environmental performance and work on improvements and sustainability.

The Work

You could be:

• making sure your organisation meets national targets for protecting the environment
• setting up environmental management and auditing systems for the organisation
• checking that your organisation obeys environmental laws and applying for necessary licences or permits
• managing and checking environmental assessments
• ensuring that goods and services are from sustainable sources
• organising pollution control, recycling and conservation
• assessing and reducing environmental risks and costs
• raising awareness of the environment among employees and running training courses
• managing projects, writing environmental reports and developing best practices and sustainability targets for your organisation.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of the company or organization you work for
• the demand for the job.

Salaries for environmental managers are usually around £21,000 to £35,000 a year. Senior managers may earn up to £50,000 or more.

Conditions

• You would spend part of your working day in an office.
• You may have to spend some time outdoors depending on the type of employer.
• You might have to travel to different sites.

Getting In

• Entrants usually have an HNC (SCQF Level 7), HND (SCQF Level 8) or degree (SCQF Levels 9-11).
• For entry to an HNC or HND course you normally need 1-2 Highers plus some subjects at National 5. A degree course usually requires 4-5 Highers.
• Relevant subjects include environmental engineering, business, sciences or ecology.
• Some employers may prefer a business qualification and experience of the organisation’s operations.
• It helps if you have some work experience.
• A driving licence may be useful.

You could find work in national or local government, retail, manufacturing, energy, construction, food and drink companies or service industries.

What Does it Take?

You need to be:

• committed to protecting the environment
• well organised and able to manage projects
• a good negotiator
• able to encourage and manage change
• good at solving problems
• able to identify and develop best practices
• able to earn the respect and understanding of other staff
• able to understand all legislation relating to environment, pollution and waste management.

You should have:

• IT skills
• business skills and commercial awareness
• excellent communication and presentation skills.

Training

• Training is through short courses.
• Professional bodies such as the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) run courses and events.
• Environmental managers must keep up to date with new legislation and regulations through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes.
• You might do training specific to the industry you work in, for example offshore training for the oil and gas sector.

Getting On

• There is no set career path for environmental managers. Progression will depend on the employer.
• It helps to become a member of one of the related professional bodies.
• You could become a self-employed consultant.
• You may be able to move into training or lecturing.

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Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.