Natural resources consultant

Natural resources consultant provide advice on the protection and management of natural resources, namely fauna, flora, soil and water to companies and governments which exploit these resources. They strive to guide companies on an appropriate policy for exploiting natural resources in industrial contexts, raise awareness on health issues, and ensure the conservation of ecosystems for sustainable interventions in natural habitats.

The following job titles also refer to natural resources consultant:

resources consultant
natural resources expert
natural resource consultant
natural resources adviser
natural resources specialist

Master’s degree is generally required to work as natural resources consultant. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Natural resources consultant is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to natural resources consultant.

nature conservation officer
environmental programme coordinator
conservation scientist
environmental expert
environmental geologist

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of natural resources consultant. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of natural resources consultant with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of natural resources consultant.

Environmental policy: Local, national and international policies dealing with the promotion of environmental sustainability and the development of projects which reduce negative environmental impact and improve the state of the environment.
Natural areas maintenance: The methods to maintain the assets (both natural and constructed) of natural areas, including program development and implementation.

These skills are necessary for the role of natural resources consultant.

Ensure compliance with environmental legislation: Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are compliant with environment regulations and best practices.
Monitor nature conservation: Evaluate and monitor features of nature conservation interest in habitats and sites.
Develop environmental policy: Develop an organisational policy on sustainable development and compliance with environmental legislation in line with policy mechanisms used in the field of environmental protection.
Analyse ecological data: Analyse and interpret ecological and biological data, using specialist software programs.
Conduct ecological research: Conduct ecological and biological research in the field and in controlled conditions, using scientific methods and equipment.
Conserve natural resources: Protect waters and natural resources and coordinate actions. Work with environmental agencies and resource management personnel.
Advise on nature conservation: Provide information and suggested actions relating to the conservation of nature.
Advise on environmental remediation: Advise on the development and implementation of actions which aim to remove sources of pollution and contamination from the environment.
Assess environmental impact: Monitor environmental impacts and carry out assessments in order to identify and to reduce the organisation’s environmental risks while taking costs into account.
Conduct environmental site assessments: Manage and oversee environmental site prospection and assessments for mining or industrial sites. Designate and demarcate areas for geochemical analysis and scientific research.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of natural resources consultant. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Fisheries management: The principles, methods and equipment used in population management applied to fisheries: the concept of catch, by-catch, fishing effort, maximum sustainable yield, different sampling methods and how to use sampling material.
Botany: The taxonomy or classification of plant life, phylogeny and evolution, anatomy and morphology, and physiology.
Corporate social responsibility: The handling or managing of business processes in a responsible and ethical manner considering the economic responsibility towards shareholders as equally important as the responsibility towards environmental and social stakeholders.
Environmental legislation: The environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.
Wildlife: Undomesticated animal species, as well as all plants, fungi and other organisms that grow or live wild in an area without being introduced by humans. Wildlife can be found in all ecosystems such as deserts, forests, rain forests, plains, grasslands and other areas including the most developed urban areas, all have distinct forms of wildlife. Handling of wildlife capture equipment.
Biology: Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.
Ecology: The study of how organisms interact and their relation to the ambient environment.
Environmental engineering: The application of scientific and engineering theories and principles aimed at improving the environment and sustainability, such as the provision of clean habitation necessities (such as air, water, and land) for humans and other organisms, for environmental remediation in the event of pollution, sustainable energy development, and improved waste management and waste reduction methods.
Animal species: The characteristics of different species and breeds of animals (relevant to the occupation).

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of natural resources consultant. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Administer treatments to fish: Administer treatments to fish, including vaccination of fish by immersion and injection, continually monitoring fish for signs of stress.
Monitor environmental parameters: Check the impact of manufacturing machinery on the environment, analysing temperature levels, water quality and air pollution.
Manage forests: Develop forestry management plans by applying business methods and forestry principles in order to efficiently manage forest resources.
Use consulting techniques: Advise clients in different personal or professional matters.
Analyse fish samples for diagnosis: Analyse samples or lesions from farmed aquatic species for professional diagnosis and treatments.
Promote sustainability: Promote the concept of sustainability to the public, colleagues and fellow professionals through speeches, guided tours, displays and workshops.
Carry out environmental audits: Use equipment to measure various environmental parameters in order to identify environmental problems and investigate manners in which they can be resolved. Perform inspections in order to ensure compliance with environmental legislation.
Educate people about nature: Speak to a variety of audiences about e.g. information, concepts, theories and/or activities related to nature and its conservation. Produce written information. This information may be presented in a range of formats e.g. display signs, information sheets, posters, website text etc.
Manage habitats: Create and manage natural habitats.
Perform project management: Manage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project’s progress in order to achieve a specific goal within a set time and budget.
Manage environmental impact: Implement measures to minimise the biological, chemical and physical impacts of mining activity on the environment.
Liaise with managers: Liaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.

2133 – Environmental protection professionals

 

 

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References

1. Natural resources consultant – ESCO