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Ecologist
Hours
37-40 per week
Starting salary
£20,000 + per year
Ecologists study the relationship between plants, animals and their environment. The aim of their work could range from balancing the needs of the environment to coming up with ideas for land management. If you are interested in the natural world and the environment, this job could be ideal for you.
To do this job you will need to be able to understand data. You will need good presentation and report writing skills. You will also need to be able to project manage tasks.
For this job you would normally need a degree or postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject.
WorkDesc
The work
As an ecologist you would normally specialise in a particular type of habitat, for example marine or coastal areas, or study a specific animal or plant species. Depending on your particular job, your tasks could include:
- carrying out fieldwork - surveying and recording information on plants, animals and environmental conditions
- researching the impact of human activity (like housing and intensive agriculture) on the environment and on climate change
- building computer models to predict the effects of development or climate change
- testing samples to investigate issues like the effects of air pollution on growth
- preparing reports and presenting research findings at conferences
- organising or supporting school, university and community education programmes
- restoring areas such as open-cast mines or quarries at the end of their industrial life
- monitoring pollution incidents, such as chemical spillages in waterways
- advising on and enforcing legal regulations, for example the laws on protected species
- acting as an expert witness during public enquiries
- managing wildlife conservation areas, woodland and meadows.
You may also assess planning proposals and make recommendations on sustainable land use for local authorities, government departments and companies. This could be, for example, nature reserves or waste management schemes.
HoursDesc
Hours
For office-based work, such as computer modelling, and laboratory work, you would be based at one site and work between 37 and 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. You may have to travel to visit other sites or go to meetings. You would also use an office to prepare reports, management plans and presentations following fieldwork. Most ecologists carry out both field-based and office or laboratory-based activities.
Research and fieldwork could involve longer and irregular working times, including evenings and weekends. You may need to work anywhere in the country, and possibly overseas, for several weeks at a time.
IncomeDesc
Income
Starting salaries can be between £20,000 and £27,000 a year. With experience, this can rise to between £35,000 and £40,000 a year.
Consultant ecologists can earn over £40,000 a year.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
You would normally need a degree or postgraduate qualification in a subject such as ecology, botany, zoology, biology, environmental science or geography. To search for degree courses see the UCAS website.
You can also find information on courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level on the British Ecological Society. You should check entry requirements with individual colleges or universities.
Ecology courses include fieldwork and work experience options. However, it may improve your employment prospects if you do some further work in your own time, for example volunteering for a conservation charity. You can find volunteering opportunities through the Environment Council, Naturenet, BTCV, Countryside Jobs Service and environmentjob.co.uk. See their websites for more information.
Many jobs include travel, so you are likely to need a full driving licence.
You can find more details about careers in ecology on the British Ecological Society, and the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management websites.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
It is important to continue developing your skills and knowledge throughout your career. You can do this by joining a professional organisation and taking further training.
The Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) offers a range of professional development courses. There are membership grades for both professionals and students.
The Field Studies Council and the Botanical Society of the British Isles also offer a variety of training courses in partnership with several universities and conservation societies. You may find these useful as part of your continuing professional development. See their websites for more information.
With experience, you could apply for Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) status with the Society for the Environment. You can find full details about registration and chartered status on the Society's website.
You could take postgraduate courses with many universities. The Natural History Museum also offers training, ranging from Masters degree level up to PhD. For more details, see the Research and Curation page on the Natural History Museum website.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To become an ecologist, you will need to have:
- a methodical approach to work
- the ability to gather and interpret data
- a knowledge of environmental policies and legislation
- an impartial approach
- good presentation and report writing skills
- project management skills
- good IT skills.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) 
45 Southgate Street
Winchester
Hampshire
SO23 9EH
Tel: 01962 868626
www.ieem.net
Society for the Environment
The Old School House
Long Street
Atherstone
Warwickshire
CV9 1AH
Tel: 0845 337 2951
www.socenv.org.uk
Field Studies Council
Preston Montford
Montford Bridge
Shrewsbury
Shropshire
SY4 1HW
Tel: 0845 3454071
www.field-studies-council.org
Botanical Society of the British Isles
www.bsbi.org.uk
British Ecological Society
Charles Darwin House
12 Roger St
London
WC1N 2JU
Tel: 0207 685 2500
www.britishecologicalsociety.org
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You could find work with a wide range of employers. These include:
- DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
- environmental and ecological consultancies
- the Environment Agency
- National Parks authorities
- local authorities
- research institutes and universities
- conservation charities such as the Wildlife and the Woodland Trusts
- campaigning organisations like Greenpeace and the WWF.
As an experienced ecologist with membership of a professional association, you could progress to senior ecologist, leading a team of researchers, developing biodiversity plans or acting as a consultant on sustainable development projects.
You may find the following links useful for vacancies and general reading (links open in a new window):
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
LMIData
Related industry information
Industry summary
The environmental conservation industry is part of the environmental and land‐based industries, represented by Lantra Sector Skills Council, which also includes the following industries: agricultural crops; agricultural livestock; animal care; animal technology; aquaculture; equine; farriery; fencing; fisheries management; floristry; game and wildlife management; land‐based engineering; horticulture, landscape and sports turf; production horticulture; trees and timber; and veterinary nursing. The sector as a whole currently employs 1,126,000 people (approximately 4% of the UK workforce) in around 230,000 businesses. In addition, there are an estimated 500,000 volunteers working in the sector on a regular basis. Approximately 42% of the workforce is self‐employed.
Environmental conservation is the conservation of landscapes, habitats and species alongside the management of public access, and includes:
- Rural and urban conservation
- Countryside recreation
- Rivers, coasts and waterways
- Heritage conservation
- Urban regeneration
- Environmental management
The industry also covers associated landscape management skills, at policy, planning and technical levels, together with the maintenance of rivers and waterways. Large organisations make up part of this industry, such as Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage, BTCV, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the National Trust, the National Trust for Scotland, National Parks Authorities, Wildlife Trusts and the Woodland Trust. Environmentalists provide advice and guidance to farmers, land managers and undertake impact assessments on potential industry and building developments.
Key facts:
- There are 23,000 people working in the industry, in approximately 3,250 businesses.
- There are around 200,000 volunteers working in the industry.
- 73% of businesses employ less than 10 staff, 22% employ between 10‐49 staff and 5% employ 50 or more staff.
- 84% of the workforce is employed full‐time.
- 90% of the workforce has a level 2 or above qualification.
Jobs in the industry include: access and recreation officer, estate manager, volunteer coordinator, ranger, countryside officer, waste management officer, conservation officer, biodiversity officer, ecologist, environmental management officer.
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are an estimated 1,250 employees in the regional workforce, in 200 around businesses.
East of England – There are an estimated 1,650 employees in the regional workforce, in around 250 businesses.
London – There are an estimated 2,400 employees in the regional workforce, in around 350 businesses.
North East – There are an estimated 900 employees in the regional workforce, in around 150 businesses.
North West – There are an estimated 2,100 employees in the regional workforce, in around 300 businesses.
South East – There are an estimated 2,550 employees in the regional workforce, in around 350 businesses.
South West – There are an estimated 1,250 employees in the regional workforce, in around 400 businesses.
West Midlands – There are an estimated 1,950 employees in the regional workforce, in around 300 businesses.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 1,450 employees in the regional workforce, in around 200 businesses.
Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 1,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 150 businesses.
Scotland – There are an estimated 2,800 employees in the regional workforce, in around 400 businesses.
Wales – There are an estimated 2,050 employees in the regional workforce, in around 300 businesses.
[N.B. Data derived from Experian National Surveys Database, 2008 and Labour Force Survey, 2008.]
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