Environmental Advisor

Also known as - Environmental consultant.

Environmental advisors ensure that construction projects comply with environmental regulations and targets. They strategically plan ways to keep air pollution or water and soil contamination to a minimum, reduce material waste and ensure that any necessary waste is disposed of in the correct manner.

Onsite
Environment and Sustainability
Higher qualifications
Excellent communicator

What does an environmental advisor do?

The main responsibility of an environmental advisor is ensuring that projects comply with environmental regulations and targets by addressing issues such as air quality, land and water contamination, waste management and environmental impact.

Other duties of an environmental advisor may include:

Ensuring environmental regulations are complied with
Liaising with site teams, clients, stakeholders and the wider environmental team
Managing legislative issues for clients, including planning permissions and consents
Conducting field surveys to establish a baseline for levels of pollutions or contamination for a site
Interpreting data and writing detailed reports
Keeping up-to-date with the most recent changes in environmental law
Communicating with clients
Researching site history and providing information for clients considering purchase
Creating waste management plans
Ensuring that biodiversity recommendations are met on site and protected species are undisturbed.

How to become an environmental advisor

There are two main routes to becoming an environmental advisor. You could complete a university course or a degree apprenticeship.

You should explore these routes to becoming an environmental advisor, to find out which is the right one for you. Although some of these options have certain qualification requirements, many employers are more interested in people who are enthusiastic, willing to learn and can follow instructions.

You may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on a construction site.

University

You could complete an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject such as environmental engineering, environmental science, environmental studies, geoscience, biology, ecology or agricultural science.

Many employers also look for candidates with relevant postgraduate qualifications and work experience in an environmental setting.

Apprenticeship

You can become an environmental advisor by completing an environmental practitioner degree apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16. As an apprentice, you will be fully employed by your company and expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Your time will be split between on-the-job experience and a college or training provider.

Guide to apprenticeships

Work experience

Work experience is essential to gaining employment within the construction industry. You could gain this at school, or by working weekends and holidays with a company or relative who works as an environmental advisor. Potential employers will always be pleased to see work experience listed on your CV. Many environmental organisations offer volunteering opportunities which will give you a taste for environmental work and develop your skills and contacts.

Find out more about work experience

Skills

As an environmental advisor, the following skills may be useful:

Mathematical knowledge
Ability to think analytically and critically
Knowledge of geography
Excellent communication skills
Ability to use a computer efficiently
Thoroughness and attention to detail.

Qualifications

England

To become an Environmental Advisor, you could complete a:

Environmental Practitioner degree apprenticeship.
Degree in Environmental Science or Environmental Studies.

Scotland

To become an Environmental Advisor, you could complete a:

Environmental Practitioner degree apprenticeship.
Degree in Environmental Science or Environmental Studies.

Wales

To become an Environmental Advisor, you could complete a:

Environmental Practitioner degree apprenticeship.
Degree in Environmental Science or Environmental Studies.

How much could you earn as an environmental advisor?

The expected salary for an environmental advisor varies as you become more experienced.

Newly trained environmental advisors can earn £18,000
Trained with experience environmental advisors can earn £70,000

Salaries depend on location, employer, level of responsibility, any overtime you may do, and whether you have completed an industry recognised training route.

* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources

Career path and progression

As an environmental advisor, you could progress into a role as an environmental engineer, a specialist role which focuses on protecting the environment by reducing waste and pollution.

Alternatively, you could become a remediation specialist, dealing with the treatment and removal of contamination from soil and groundwater.

You could complete professional qualifications through the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) and specialise in particular areas of environmental consultancy. With time and experience, you could become chartered and improve your career prospects and salary.