ecology jobs

[floraphil]

Hi there,

This is my first post. I'm currently looking for paid ecology work which currently seems like finding a pond in the Sahara. I do have an Environmental Science degree and have 18 months unpaid recent experience under my belt, primarliy working as a botanical surveyor for the Avon Wildlife Trust and then working as a residential conservation warden at Hatfield Forest in Essex.

I have just past my driving test and feel that it's the right time to apply for paid work though there seems to be nothing out there at all. My primary interest is in flora but have had some experience in water vole and damselfy surveys as well.

If, as it seems, jobs are totally threadbare at the moment, I'm going to do a botany masters in October at Reading University to improve my prospets further.

I would just like to know if there are any good job websites other than environmental job and CJS which might help me or if anyone has any good advice. Anything will be appreciated!!

[Mele]

Hi floraphil
Job prospects for those of us who want to work in ecology/conservation are not good at the moment are they?
I also search on The Guardian.
I can only advise, keep doing voluntary jobs, keep making contacts and networking - this site might & iSpot be good for that. Keep your id skills sharp.
I also blog to diffuse my mental energies!
The botany masters sounds great - am envious - I love studying.
Best of luck
Mel

[blackb1rd]

If I were in your position (which I am, though looking more at the management/ranger type posts) I'd use these websites:

The best all-inclusive source for countryside jobs:
CJS Daily Online - countryside, conservation jobs.

Environmentjob.co.uk: Environmental and green jobs in the UK
Environment Jobs

Worth getting the email updates from both the above sites as it means you don't have to remember to check them everyday

You probably won't be going down the zoo route but there might be occassional suitable jobs here:
BIAZA Public Access

Just persevere. It's a very competitive area to get into and you'll probably still find a lot of people going for the same starter/low-paid jobs as you are far more experience than you are. You just need a bit of luck, the right contacts and to keep building on your experience as you look.

Ps. I was at Avon for a while, lovely bunch there

[Roger Morris]

Hi

I fear recent graduates are in for a pretty rough time over the coming years, so I would not start by recommending a career in conservation at the moment. Salaries have been tightly pinched and there are few openings. Unfortunately that is also the case for established people too.

My main advice would be the following:

1. Make sure you get training in Development Planning and environmental law. You need to understand the Town and Country Planning Act, The Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981 as amended), the CROW Act (2000), and finally various Regulations - most notably the Habitats and Species Regs (2010). Training in EIA is possibly not a bad idea too.

2. Make sure that you think carefully about what employers actually want. This may sound odd but it is common for people with a genuine interest in plants and animals to think this is what employers want. Generally they don't. Apart from the normal bats, badgers and GCNs, the focus is much more on working within and through strategic and development planning processes. It is often frightening how many 'environmental professionals' have really very poor taxonomic skills and are not held back by this - indeed it may be a positive advantage!

3. Try to see the relevance of particular experience to the job described. I used to see too many applicants showing that they had not really understood what the advertised job was really about.

4. If you still want the scientific end of ecology then start to write notes for newsletters and journals so that you develop a publications record. This will help your CV and show you have some initiative. Also, it will help you develop writing skills.

When I started I was amazed that hard work to develop technical skills was fruitless - I finally got a break by chance and discovered what the real world was like - much to my horror. It is still the same today only worse - the skills you really need are the ability to operate as a political animal.

Good luck

Roger

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by Roger Morris

It is still the same today only worse - the skills you really need are the ability to operate as a political animal.

Good luck

Roger

Work at a level above labourer is always political, local or otherwise. Alwys has been, always will be.

In case anyone thinks I am being dismissive of labouring, I have done many years doing that.

[Roger Morris]

Hello Meta

It is always easy to be sarcastic; rather less so to try to give advice where people have not broken into the market. Your comments help nobody but doubtless give you great satisfaction.

[The Woodman]

Roger has given four very good points of excellent advice. As one who has been knocking around general environmental employment for all his working life, I'd just like to add another slice of advice.

From my experience watching and working with folks fresh into the work place, I note that those with interpersonal and communications skills often succeed at a faster pace than those whose abilities are not so good.

Practice assertion or even go on a course if needed, try to develop that ability to enter dialogue with a "presence" whether it be on a development site, Natural England office or anywhere else. If you can quickly establish a working relation with a prospective employer or client, it'll be to your benefit.

Mele has mentioned networking and making contacts - brilliant advice. Getting your name into the frame is the way to get yourself there. You may have to do this as voluntary labour but if it proves your worth to others, it'll be worth it.

Good luck and I wish you well at Reading.

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by Roger Morris

Hello Meta

It is always easy to be sarcastic; rather less so to try to give advice where people have not broken into the market. Your comments help nobody but doubtless give you great satisfaction.

I think you have misunderstood my post. I was merely agreeing with your views.

[floraphil]

Thanks for the advice Roger, blackb1rd and the Woodman. Some interesting points to consider. I liked the writing notes bit, I'll look into that!! I know getting into ecology has always been competitive, extremely so these days, though I'm not going to give up. I'm going to do the botany masters degree, it makes sense as I love the subject and feel passionate about wild plants. I have been recording for the BSBI over the summer and have been in regular contact with a couple of vice county recorders. Hopefully I will have a chance to gain extra contacts during my degree.

All the best,

Phil.