Explore career options in environmental science
Here you can find information on career options and pathways in the field of environmental science.
You can also discover where to look for job vacancies, as well as professional associations, mentoring and international opportunities.
Opportunities
Environmental science is an interdisciplinary field that addresses the pressing environmental challenges facing our world today. You will gain knowledge and skills from across a broad environmental science spectrum, exploring environmental issues from social, physical, and biological perspectives. Explore diverse areas such as ecology and conservation, environmental chemistry, soil and water science and urban planning. These fields are crucial in managing natural resources, protecting ecosystems and promoting sustainable development.
Career pathways range from environmental consultancy and conservation management to roles in governmental policy, research, and urban planning. Current trends focus on climate change mitigation, renewable energy, and biodiversity conservation, addressing critical societal needs for sustainability and environmental resilience.
Career fields
- Conservation services (local, state, NGO)
- Mining sector
- Tourism
- Environmental consulting
- Natural resource management
- Biosecurity (pest management)
- Water supply and waste management
- Program or project administration
- Local or state government administration
- Policy analysis
- Laboratory and technical services
- Environmental auditing and reporting
- Environmental research*
- Environmental restoration
- Sustainable agriculture
- Climate change mitigation and adaption.
Employment roles
- Environmental scientist
- Environmental advisor
- Water management analyst
- Graduate environmental scientist
- Conservation scientist
- Policy advisor
- Landscape and urban planner
- Biosecurity officer
- Pest management consultant
- Wildlife spotter-catcher
- Ranger
- Environmental consultant
- Air quality applied scientist
- Water resource officer
- Ecologist (vegetation / animal)
- Soil scientist
- Bush regenerator
- Scientific officer
- Catchment officer
- Field and lab technician
- Research assistant
- Project manager
Your employability
In addition to knowledge and skills directly related to your program of study, you will also develop a range of other skills such as teamwork, analytical, communication through academic study, employment, voluntary work, sporting and recreational activities and life experience.
Recognising the value employers place on these skills is an important factor in your graduate job search. You can further develop your employability with these resources:
Vacancies
Information on relevant vacancies can be found in a wide range of sources:
- CareerHub
- LinkedIn – jobs button on the toolbar
- Grad Australia
- Australian Fisheries Management Authority graduate opportunities
- Brisbane city council vacancies
- City of Gold Coast vacancies
- Job listings—EIANZ
- Careers at CSIRO
- Kelly scientific resources
- Environmental jobs network
- Evolve scientific recruitment
- Greenfinder—entry-level environmental jobs
- NRM environmental jobs
- New South Wales government jobs
- Queensland government graduate portal
- Water jobs
- GreenCareer
- Seek environmental jobs
- Ethical jobs
Notable alumnus: Cameron Del Moro
It was while working as a garbage man five years ago that Cameron del Moro realised he wanted to see a difference in the world—and it was up to him to make it. After a trip overseas, through which Cameron experienced a diversity of international waste systems, good and bad, the decision to be the change he wanted to see in Australia was solidified.
Job application resources
Craft a stand-out resume and cover letter, and learn how to prepare for job interviews.
Approach potential employers
Many work opportunities are not advertised, so we recommend approaching potential employers with the aim of researching their needs and how your skills, experience, interests and qualifications could match theirs.
This is called informational interviewing and will benefit you by:
- clarifying your specific career direction
- enhancing your professional network
- increasing your chances of being offered a job.
Industry outlook
The Your Career website includes helpful information such as job descriptions, employment prospects, average weekly earnings and skills requirements. Every job title in the database has a skills section to help you identify and describe essential skills for your future career.
The My Future website also has job descriptions and a useful career insight section.
The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching website has up-to-date information on graduate salaries, especially the Graduate Outlook Survey (GOS) National Report, which contains undergraduate salary figures.
More detailed information is available at the Labour Market Insights portal.
Professional associations
Joining a professional association is a great way to interact with people in your field who can assist you to explore your career options and potentially find employment opportunities. These associations hold regular professional development and networking events:
- Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand
- Ecological Society of Australia
- Alternative Technology Association
- Clean Air Society of Australia & New Zealand
- Society of Wetland Scientists
- Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association Australia
- Soil Science Australia
- Australian Rainforest Conservation Society
Students are welcome to join and often receive a discount on their membership.
Mentoring
The award-winning Industry Mentoring Program provides an excellent opportunity to further develop your employability and build professional networks.
The program is available to students with more than 80CP as well as recent graduates.
Further careers information
Careers counselling
Individual career counselling sessions are available to all current students and recent graduates.
You can book an initial appointment via CareerHub.
Career planning
Our website has an array of career planning resources you can explore at any stage of your student journey.
Career Readiness
Check out our Career Readiness site in Learning@Griffith for additional information and resources for your career development learning:
Similar career options
Please note: The content on this webpage is a guide only. Please refer to degree-specific information and accreditation requirements of your profession on the Degree and Course Finder website and with the relevant professional accreditation body for your degree.