GRADUATE JOBS IN THE ENVIRONMENT SECTOR
Environment
• Sustainable development
• Green industry
• Environmental careers
2013/2014
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• Graduate profiles
• What employers are looking for
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CONTENTS
Your environmental career
Introducing your career ......................................2
Getting a job ............................................................4
Areas of work
Environmental consultancy
and business services ..........................................6
Energy efficiency and management ..............7
Waste management and recovery ..................8
Renewable energy..................................................9
Environmental management/
conservation ..........................................................10
Water and wastewater
treatment services ..................................................11
Green ICT and green
building technologies ........................................12
Other ‘green’ career areas ................................13
Graduate profiles ....................................14
Professional development
Training and career development ................16
Further study
Postgraduate Study ............................................18
© the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
Pure research options ........................................19
Further information..............................20
gradireland Environment is published by the Association
of Higher Education Careers Services and GTI Media Ltd
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We would like to thank all third level careers services in
Ireland and Northern Ireland and our publishing
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Acknowledgements Dr. Duncan Lawrence, Consultant,
Fehily Timoney & Co. Ltd and Prof.Sue Christie OBE, Chief
Executive, Northern Ireland Environment Link.
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Environment 2013/2014 | 1
Welcome
gradireland Environment 2013/2014
Your environmental career
Your environmental career
Introducing your career
What is the green economy?
Environment jobs in the Republic of Ireland
The term 'the green economy' has been coined to
describe the broad range of goods and services that
fall within the spectrum of environmental and natural
resource use, management and protection.
The drive is on to make our planet a better place to
live. Following decades of industrial growth and
waste, sustainability is the new buzzword. There are
several factors behind this:
• The recession, and the stagnation of global growth
witnessed in the first decade of the 21st Century.
• Growing awareness of climate change, with a
specific focus on the reduction of carbon emissions.
• The rising cost of fossil fuel costs due to factors
including the nature of supply and political
instability in many oil and gas producing countries.
• At government level, worldwide, there has been a
huge increase in the search for cheaper and more
sustainable sources of energy, to make optimum
use of existing supplies and to ease the dependency
of countries on oil and gas imports.
In 2010, the market size of the Environmental Goods
and Services sector was estimated to be over €3
billion. In 2009 a High Level Action Group on Green
Enterprise established by Forfás and the Department
of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation published its
report Developing the Green Economy in Ireland.
Directly as a result of its recommendations, €660
million was committed to sustainable energy
programmes, water services investment and
retrofitting of the public housing stock. A recovery rate
of 70 per cent has been achieved for packaging waste,
exceeding the EU target of 60 per cent by 2011.
Progress continues to be made on EU Landfill Directive
diversion targets for biodegradable municipal waste.
Strides are also being made towards developing
further investment in water services, wind energy,
electric cars, promoting biological waste recycling and
supports for bioenergy, supported by the Sustainable
Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
Environment Ireland is Ireland’s annual conference
on environmental policy and management, organised
in association with the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and the Department of Environment,
Community and Local Government to discuss issues
such as waste management, planning, environmental
regulation, water reform, transport and climate
change.
The IBM Technology Campus in Dublin hosts the
Smarter Cities Technology Centre, where research is
carried out on science and technology for smarter
urban and environmental systems such as transport,
communication, water and energy. A key focus of the
project is to investigate how advanced analytics and
visualisation techniques, coupled with solutions such
as Cloud, stream, and high performance computing,
can help city authorities make optimal use of
resources.
EU directives in crucial areas such as energy, landfill
and wastewater define the sustainability obligations
for both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland.
Graduates from disciplines as diverse as engineering,
science, geography, IT and sustainable development
are needed to help each jurisdiction achieve its
sustainability goals.
2|
Environment 2013/2014
Your environmental career
Environment jobs in Northern Ireland
The green economy in Northern Ireland shows similar
promise. Research has indicated that targeted
investment and growth of the renewable sector could
potentially create up to 30,000 jobs. Sectors likely to
offer the greatest job numbers include hi-tech
manufacturing, wind farm assembly and biomass
production in the agricultural sector. In July 2012, the
Northern Ireland Environmental Agency (NIEA)
produced its strategic plan for 2012–2020. This
prioritised four action areas: the creation of a healthy
natural environment; the promotion of health and
well-being of all in protecting the environment; the
need to foster sustainable growth; and the efficient
and effective use of resources. The goals set for each
area follow the implementation of Northern Ireland
Executive’s Sustainable Development Implementation
Plan agreed for all its government departments.
Why choose an environmental career?
Against the tide of many sectors, the career
opportunities associated with environmental
sustainability are growing slowly but steadily.
Predictions for the Republic of Ireland state that job
figures within the green economy should rise to 29,000
by 2015. In the period 2008-2010 alone around 2,000
green-related jobs were created in the Republic. This
does not count over 5,000 jobs anticipated for publiclyfunded retrofitting programmes for built development.
A recent Forfás National Skills Bulletin for the Republic
shows significant demand for highly qualified and
experienced engineering, science and technical
graduates specialising in the energy sector. In the near
future the utilities sector is expected to expand, based
on policy decisions around renewable energy targets
and a slowdown in the extraction sector. Survey figures
published by Environmental Data Services (ENDS) for
the UK, including Northern Ireland, predicts over
400,000 more ‘green’ jobs being generated by 2020.
Transition towns
The broad aim of the transition movement is to build
localised, balanced and resilient communities able to
withstand energy, climate or economic crises whilst
creating a better quality of life for their inhabitants.
The existing network of transition towns aims to
support others by inspiring, encouraging and training
individuals and their communities as they adopt the
transition approach to community empowerment and
change. The concept first emanated from the
principles of permaculture as described by Bill
Mollison, and was developed by Rob Hopkins in
Kinsale College of Further Education. In the course of
their studies on permaculture his students coined the
term 'transition town'. There are now hundreds of
communities recognised as official transition towns in
countries around the world including Ireland, the
United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the
United States, Italy and Chile.
The climate change movement
In 1997 the Kyoto Protocol, linked to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,
committed signatory States, including both the
Republic and North of Ireland, to annual targets for
reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). It came
into force in 2005. At the Doha summit in 2012, the
Kyoto Protocol was extended for a further eight years
to 2020. Kyoto brought considerable impetus in the
drive to get governments worldwide to actively invest
in establishing renewable energy sources to enhance
diversity and security of supply and to reduce carbon
emissions.
Following the enactment of the Kyoto Protocol a
commitment to reducing carbon emissions globally
and carbon emissions in particular has left each
subscribing country with an annual target for
emissions reduction leading up to 2020. A key
objective of the EU is to make the EU area 20 per cent
more energy efficient by 2020 than it was in 2005.
Environment 2013/2014 | 3
Your environmental career
Getting a job
What you need to know to find the
right job and convince the employer
you are the right person to do it.
W
hilst the number of opportunities in this sector
is increasing due to the emerging green agenda,
they are more limited relative to other more
labour intensive sectors. While the number of employers is
growing, the number of vacancies that most have on offer
at any one time can be very limited. This is a highly
competitive sector, so you need to be persistent in your job
search and make yourself stand out from the crowd.
The areas of work in the following section will give you
a flavour of the type of opportunities on offer. It is
important to acknowledge that the nature of this career
area means that many sectors overlap with one another.
Your graduate role within these fields will depend on what
employment experience you have gained in college and
the level of qualification you have achieved. If you are
prepared to travel you will find significant opportunities
overseas.
Entry requirements
Employers in this sector will expect you to have an
excellent knowledge of, and passion for, the environment
combined with a qualification in a discipline highly
relevant to your chosen field of work (or at least have
completed a number of modules relevant to your target
career area). A relevant postgraduate qualification may
also help. The Republic’s policy body Forfás emphasises a
growing need for biology, chemistry, computer science and
technology, engineering and 'cognitive science' graduates.
By its nature, the sector often requires the input of
members of inter-disciplinary teams into any one project.
Excellent skills in team-working, communication and
innovation are prerequisites for this kind of work.
Job applications and interviews
The more technical jobs will require you to demonstrate
high-level practical skills, both through your written
application and at interview. Some large organisations
may require you to complete assessment centre exercises
which simulate the type of skills you will need for the job.
Interviews are likely to be competence-based and some
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Environment 2013/2014
Where are the jobs?
Don’t limit your search exclusively to those who profess to
be 'green' recruiters. Do your research into the agencies
that have recruitment consultants who are specialists in
your discipline. Some may have great expertise and
contacts for placing engineering graduates, others for
those in the environmental sciences etc. In addition to
pure public and private sector jobs, NGOs offer excellent
opportunities, both paid and voluntary, especially abroad.
How to find vacancies
Larger organisations may recruit through the annual milk
round, through recruitment agencies or through agencyrun websites.
Public sector jobs are advertised on www.publicjobs.ie
(in the Republic) and www.nicsrecruitment.gov.uk
(Northern Ireland).
The Republic of Ireland has a low number of advertised
vacancies compared to the UK. Broadcast and press
advertising is extremely rare for graduate green roles.
Green-specific agencies (with associated websites), such as
www.greenjobs.ie, or desks within generalist agencies are
on the increase as demand from the sector increases. Bear
in mind that the number of organisations offering work in
this way is relatively low because it is an expensive way to
recruit. Many employers tend to use more cost-effective
methods of recruitment: on their own websites and via
word of mouth and social media.
It's essential to actively seek out opportunities. Decide
which organisations you are interested and follow them on
Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. In particular, exploit
LinkedIn to the full. Use the Jobs tab to search for specific
opportunities using search terms for sectors and subsectors that interest you (eg wind, energy, sustainable
development, environmental services, waste management).
Join as many environmental and green-related discussion
groups as you can, both national and international.
Employers often circulate details of jobs only in these
groups.
Work experience
The environmental and green sector has a longestablished record of taking on students on work
experience so there is no excuse for not getting this type
of hands-on experience to complement your studies. After
you have graduated, you may be able to find a graduate
internship with an environmental or energy body. Unpaid
work is becoming increasingly the norm as a means of
getting a foot in the door of the workplace, and may well
pay off in the longer term.
Environment 2013/2014 | 5
Your environmental career
employers may conduct a technical interview as well as a
general one. You will be expected to draw from your
experience of your most relevant modules from your
college course and any individual or group projects you
had to do, including your dissertation, as well as from your
work experience.
Areas of work
T
his is one of the largest sources
of jobs within the
environmental sector. You may
be employed as an internal
consultant/advisor or be contracted
in from a consultancy firm (or directly
if you are self-employed).
Some areas covered include:
• the development and audit of
environmental management
systems (EMS)
• carbon offsetting
• environmental impact
assessment (EIA)
• integrated pollution prevention
and control
• licensing
• waste permits
• water evaluation
• chemical analysis
• consultancy on energy
retrofitting.
There are also opportunities in areas
such as risk management, corporate
social responsibility (CSR),
marketing, public relations, financial
services and investment, health and
safety, general compliance,
outsourcing and training.
Buildings and infrastructure
Environmental impact statements
(EIS) are a statutory requirement for
all major build development and
infrastructure projects. While
building booms come and go, the
necessary work must always be
carried out by qualified
professionals. Graduates with a legal
6|
Environment 2013/2014
© the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
Environmental consultancy
and business services
qualification will find opportunities
with both plant operators and
regulators in the application of
environmental law.
Training and education
As a trainer, you may find yourself
delivering services as an external
consultant, or in-house, to bring an
organisation’s staff up to speed with
the relevant legislation or new
environmental protection measures
or technology. For example,
environmental science and
environmental health graduates may
find work as compliance officers or
quality auditors in in agri-business or
food and drinks processing and
production. This involves ensuring
that environmental management
systems are in place and properly
operated and other standards such as
health and safety, quality assurance
and food safety practices are
consistently adhered to.
Policy
Consultants and advisors are required
in policy and legislative development
and implementation at local and
national level. Finance and business
graduates will find work advising
clients in the private, public and nonprofit sectors on new strategies and
policies, business models, investment
opportunities, carbon credit/
renewable energy trading and the
capabilities they need to become
leaders in the emerging low carbon
economy.
DEGREES BENEFICIAL
•
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Engineering
Science
Environmental Management
Sustainable Development
Law
Areas of work
Energy efficiency
and management
T
his sub-sector of the green
economy concerns itself with
optimising energy consumption
and managing the consequent
carbon emissions. One of Europe’s
fastest growing sectors, energy
efficiency across all European States
was generating a turnover of over
€300 billion in 2011, and is expected
to offer the greatest potential for job
creation in the future. Demand has
been stimulated by the following
factors:
• An EU Directive on the Energy
Performance of Buildings required
that from 2007 all new domestic
dwellings to be BER (Building
Energy Rating) certified; in 2009 this
requirement was extended to all
buildings listed for sale, rent or
lease.
• For public sector buildings, a Display
Energy Certificate (DEC) system
applies.
• Eco construction techniques are
increasingly required to comply
with building regulations in both
the Republic and North of Ireland.
• In 2011 the government in the
Republic launched the Better Energy
Homes scheme with a view to
improving the Building Energy
Rating (BER) of residential dwellings.
This included grants for energyefficient home improvements
resulting in a growth in demand for
services.
Jobs are available in this sector for
civil, structural and environmental
© the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
engineering graduates and also those
with degrees in areas such as
construction management, planning,
design, architecture and architectural
technology. Graduates of these
disciplines with skills in the following
areas are specifically sought after:
• carbon emissions management
and trading
• energy efficiency in buildings
• energy management
• environmental management
systems
• financial services and investment
• green transport
• health and safety
• outsourcing
• refuse derived fuels
• renewables.
Graduate roles in sustainable
construction includes retrofit:
analysing the energy rating of
buildings and carrying out alterations
or enhancements to improve their
energy performance (eg insulation,
solar panels, ground or air sourced
heat pumps, sophisticated
temperature controls systems).
While growth in employment may
slow due to curtailments in funding,
opportunities still arise for qualified
graduates especially from technical,
engineering and science disciplines.
Despite the reduction in indigenous
construction projects, the capital
programmes within the Republic and
North of Ireland continue to generate
jobs. Specialist roles also exist for
graduates in keeping and reporting
on national air emission inventories
for the EU and UN, in making
projections to these bodies and in
data analysis and management for
the Emissions Trading Registry.
DEGREES BENEFICIAL
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•
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•
Engineering
Science
ICT
Construction related disciplines
Environment 2013/2014 | 7
Areas of work
Waste management
and recovery
V
arious opportunities exist for
graduates in the areas of waste
management, disposal and
recovery. Organisations such as the
Environmental Protection Agency
employ graduates with technical and
science backgrounds and
environmental, ecology, chemical
engineering and health and safety
specialisms to implement and monitor
waste disposal and recovery processes.
The expertise of design, engineering,
science, technical and ICT graduates is
required in the development of even
more advanced technologies in waste
processing equipment and processes.
Skills are sought in the following
areas:
• Generating energy from waste,
composting and anaerobic
digestion (AD)
• Trading and investment in waste
• The management of hazardous
waste
• Health and safety
• Landfill management
• Organics recycling
• Plant equipment
• Recycling and recovery
• Refuse collection vehicles
• Refuse derived fuels
• Security
• Software
• Standards and certification
• Policy development.
Waste management
A recent ESRI study estimated that
the volume of municipal waste is set
to increase substantially (within the
8|
Environment 2013/2014
next ten years in particular). This will
necessitate further investment in
waste management infrastructure
which is good news for graduates,
particularly engineers.
Programmes in Ireland, north and
south, aim to increase awareness of
the environmental impact of excess
consumption and waste and improve
the co-ordination of regional waste
management plans.
Recycling and waste recovery
The recovery of waste is a significant
contributor to economies, with a
strong market demand for materials
such as plastics, metals and organic
waste products. A range of jobs exists
in the development of composting
and other anaerobic digestion (AD)
technologies. Graduate expertise is
also required into researching how
resources can be recovered from
waste and in recycling it into new
materials.
EU legislation such as the Waste
Framework Directive and the Landfill
Directive set government targets to
ensure that increasing quantities of
waste are recovered or recycled and
that bio-degradable municipal waste
is diverted from landfill. There is
particular interest in the development
of adequate infrastructure to treat
organic or ‘brown’ waste (particularly
food) that must be collected
separately and diverted from landfill.
Roles for graduates also exist within
environmental regulatory bodies in
developing outlets for the products of
organic waste treatment.
DEGREES BENEFICIAL
•
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Engineering
Science
ICT
Environmental Management
Areas of work
Renewable
energy
T
his sector encompasses all the
products, systems and services
for the generation and
collection of energy from sustainable
energy sources such as
biomass/biofuels, solar, wind,
geothermal, photovoltaic (PV), hydro,
tidal and geothermal sources. This is
a growth area: worldwide
investment in renewable energy had
reached over €140 bn towards the
end of the first decade of this
millennium and patents in
renewable energies are rising.
Ireland has been identified as one
of the most promising locations
around the world for harvesting
both wind and ocean based sources
of energy. The €1.15 billion Oriel
Windfarm project alone will see 330
MW of renewable energy delivered
into the Irish Grid. The Irish Wind
Energy Association (IWEA) has
estimated that by 2020 around
16,000 jobs may have been created
in Ireland in the wind industry. This
level of manpower is what is
required if Ireland is to reach its 40
per cent electricity-from-renewables
target by that date. By June 2012
there were 176 wind farms across 27
counties in Ireland.
A growing area is that of recycled
energy development which aims to
profitably reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by capturing and
recovering waste energy, especially
through combined heat and power
(CHP)/cogeneration and waste heat
recovery.
Jobs for graduates
Environmental, electrical and
mechanical engineers are especially
sought after in roles connected to the
construction, erection and operation
of turbines and in developing and
monitoring their internal electrical
systems. This sector also provides a
wide range of career possibilities for
ICT and cognitive science graduates
in developing software based
components for, and assessing the
power output of, these systems. The
new, and developing, field of ocean
sources of energy will also be a rich
source of career prospects for
graduates. Expertise is specifically
required in turbine design, wave tank
model testing and wave energy
modelling.
Further graduate opportunities
exist in the construction of energy
generating and processing
equipment and in the design,
construction, installation
management and operation of
renewable energy facilities.
Further roles arise in raising
investment capital for energy projects,
in its trade and steering the
construction of plants through the
regulatory process ensuring
compliance with required planning
and environmental standards.
The solar energy sector offers
opportunities for science and
engineering graduates, especially
those with specialist expertise in
mechanical, design and electrical
engineering. Graduate skills are
required in the development of
passive solar systems, active solar
heating and solar PV systems
worldwide.
Bioenergy and biofuels are created
from renewable organic material
known as biomass. Graduates,
particularly in chemistry, the wider
sciences and technical disciplines will
find jobs in designing, developing and
supplying technologies to companies
processing raw biomass material
(such as wood waste and food crops)
and converting it into heat or power
sources or into biofuels such as wood
pellets or bioethanol. Jobs in this area
within Ireland are limited so jobseekers interested in this area should
be prepared to travel overseas.
DEGREES BENEFICIAL
• Science
• ICT
• Engineering
Environment 2013/2014 | 9
Areas of work
Environmental
management/conservation
T
his sector is broadly concerned
with managing the natural
environment including open
spaces and the flora and fauna that
exist within them.
Jobs for graduates
Jobs are available for graduates
across a range of functions, including:
• pollution monitoring and control
• contaminated land/protection of
protected habitats
• monitoring agricultural processes
• air gas and particle monitoring
• air pollution control
• due diligence
• environmental monitoring and
analysis
• noise and vibration control
• spill control and clean-up
• groundwater services
• asbestos services
• monitoring and managing ecosystems.
Graduates may also work in an
advisory capacity in measuring the
potential environmental impact of
construction developments and
making recommendations on
planning applications.
Conservation officers work on
preserving and enhancing habitats in
urban and rural areas. The Wildlife
Trusts in both Northern and the
Republic of Ireland provide a limited
number of graduate opportunities in
the protection of wildlife and
countryside habitats and in
promoting biodiversity. Often,
graduates working with these
10 |
Environment 2013/2014
organisations also have an
educational role. Many graduates will
find their job prospects significantly
enhanced by travelling abroad or by
doing voluntary work. Numerous
NGOs operate conservation work
placement programmes worldwide,
the experience of which will enhance
your CV greatly.
Ecologists are employed in
recording and monitoring the range
and volume of species which exist in
a particular area and they study and
report on the interaction between the
species in that habitat.
Environmental consultants,
officers and managers may help
those operating within industry and
agriculture to ensure that they
uphold sustainable practices aligned
with the regulatory framework for
their sectors.
Employment with fisheries and
the conservation of freshwater
habitats is another option for
graduates. Jobs can be found with
public and private sector bodies
protecting and developing stock in
marine or freshwater/inland fisheries.
At sea, fisheries officers will work
with colleagues in the inspection
processes for all those harvesting and
selling marine fish stock. Those
gaining roles concerning
freshwater/inland fish stocks are
responsible for researching,
monitoring, assessing and protecting
fish and other aquatic life.
Water quality scientists and water
conservation officers engage in the
monitoring, protection and
management of areas where
groundwater is critical or may also
work with organisations responsible
for drinking water supplies. Others
may be involved with projects
concerning rivers, lakes and estuary
monitoring and management. They
also act in an advisory capacity on the
impact that developments such as
drainage projects will have on the
environment.
As our climate changes and
flooding becomes a wider issue
across the UK and Ireland, flood and
coastal management roles are rising
for engineering graduates in
particular.
DEGREES REQUIRED
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Environmental management
Environmental science
Biology
Ecology
Hydrology
Conservation
Environmental health
Geography.
Areas of work
Water and wastewater
treatment services
T
here are many indigenous
companies offering water-related
services, following the growth in
the public investment in infrastructure
in leak control, monitoring and supply
networks and water analysis. Since
2009, significant investments have been
made in enhancements to drinking and
waste water treatment in both
jurisdictions across the island of Ireland,
which are legally bound to comply with
the EU Urban Waste Water Directive.
Leaks due to deteriorating pipe work
and bacterial contamination of small
group water schemes urgently require
addressing and will create new
opportunities in the future.
Jobs for graduates
Repairing and replacing the existing
supply and collection networks will
continue to provide jobs for graduates
especially from engineering and
technical disciplines. Graduates will also
find opportunities in developing
intelligent systems for monitoring and
detecting leakages within water
networks and also in developing
advanced technologies for processing
wastewater sludge.
Science graduates in particular will
find opportunities with companies
developing advanced technologies for
water treatment such as membrane
systems and ultraviolet (UV) treatment.
There are some jobs for graduates of
all environment-related disciplines in
developing integrated greywater
recycling and rainwater harvesting
systems. Hydrogeologists are employed
in this sector to work on projects
around groundwater flow and quality
including sourcing supply, testing
water quality and ensuring that
supplies are protected from pollution.
Geologists do similar work in
assessing rock and soil conditions and
advising on construction projects
before and during completion.
Although growth is limited in DBO
(Design-Build-Operate) projects,
graduate jobs can also be found in
water and wastewater treatment
plant development, for example in
upgrading existing septic tanks.
DEGREES REQUIRED
• Engineering
• Science
• Geology
Environment 2013/2014 | 11
Areas of work
Green ICT and green
building technologies
O
pportunities exist for
computing and engineering
graduates in software
development for green building and
green transport. These might include
energy efficient microprocessors,
efficient batteries, controllers and
sensors for ‘smart’ products, energy
efficient servers and PCs, smart grids
and solar cells.
As systems become more complex
and intelligent, graduates will be
required to work on projects
combining the technologies of ICT,
biotechnology, nanotechnology and
the cognitive sciences. A recent Forfás
report on skills shortages in this area
highlighted the need for graduates
with specialist expertise in business
12 |
Environment 2013/2014
analysis, engineering (particularly
electrical, electronic, design,
manufacturing and mechanical),
mathematics and statistics.
Graduates will also find roles in
designing, manufacturing, using, and
the sustainable disposal of
computers, servers, monitors, printers,
storage devices, and networking and
communications systems. Graduate
skills are required in the continual
drive to make computers as energyefficient as possible, and designing
algorithms and systems for efficiencyrelated computer technologies. Many
IT departments have green computing
initiatives focused on reducing the
environmental impact of their IT
operations.
DEGREES BENEFICIAL
•
•
•
•
•
Computing
Engineering
Science
Mathematics
Statistics
Areas of work
Other ‘green’
career areas
Research
There are research opportunities
within all industries in the ‘green’
economy, in public, private and notfor-profit organisations. At
government level both the North and
Republic of Ireland have green
research and development (R&D)
high on the agenda, with a particular
emphasis on the pooling of research
expertise, the development of
research alliances, the consolidation
of R&D funding programmes and the
development R&D strategy for the
overall green and clean-tech sector.
Evidence of this can be seen in the
growth and expansion of centres in
colleges and universities throughout
Ireland, many of which are managing
leading-edge research projects
contributing to the development of
green initiatives worldwide.
Food and retail
Consumers are becoming more
environmentally conscious. Shoppers
want to know whether food and
other retail items, especially footwear
and clothing, have been produced
and distributed using sustainable
practices. Graduate buyers working
for ethical retailers will be expected
to vet suppliers strictly in considering
where to purchase goods. In terms of
packaging in particular, and also in
terms of the reduction, reuse and
recycling of domestic electrical waste,
those promoting the drive for
sustainability seek to influence
manufacturers to invest in
sustainable production and to
consider the life cycle of their
product.
Food exports remain one of the
greatest contributors to the Irish
economy and the food and drinks
industry as a whole is Ireland’s most
important indigenous industry.
Quality artisan food production is
growing steadily. Positions as food
technologists, quality control and
quality assurance technicians,
development chefs and food product
development experts are increasingly
common for food technology and
culinary arts graduates.
Eco-tourism
The increase in awareness of our
personal environmental impact has
stimulated growth in the eco-tourism
sector, offering jobs for students and
graduates of all disciplines. This
includes roles promoting eco-holidays
and also those helping tourism and
travel companies to reduce their
negative impact on the planet.
Other business functions
As with all other careers,
organisations in all areas of the
environmental goods and services
sector of the economy also employ
graduates from all disciplines in the
day-to-day operational functions
such as human resource
management, sales, marketing,
accounting and finance and IT
support.
DEGREES BENEFICIAL
• Science
• Food technology
• All disciplines.
Environment 2013/2014 | 13
Graduate profiles
Graduate profiles
THE VALUE OF GOOD WORK EXPERIENCE
A YEAR OUT HELPED ME CHOOSE MY PATH
NAME Ciara Jacoby
DEGREE M.Sc. Environmental
Science, B.A. Chemistry, Trinity
College Dublin (TCD)
EMPLOYER Inland Fisheries Ireland
(IFI)
JOB TITLE Chemist Technician
(JobBridge Internship)
NAME Connor McGimpsey
DEGREE BSc Land Use and
Environmental Management (2012),
Queens University Belfast (QUB)
EMPLOYER Quadra Consulting,
Belfast
JOB TITLE Environmental Consultant
Starting out
Starting out
After completing my Masters in Environmental Science in
September 2011, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in
environmental monitoring given my analytical background
in chemistry. After graduating I had the opportunity to work
in the Biogeochemistry lab in Trinity College Dublin. Whilst
there I analysed water samples for nutrient and major ion
concentrations taken from lakes and coastal regions in
Ireland as well as the Ria Formosa lagoon in Portugal.
I began studying chemistry at Queens but decided to change
to environmental management. The course was of particular
interest as it seemed to provide broad skills which would aid
my employability. I wasn't sure which specific career path to
choose so I took a year out which allowed me to gain insight
into the construction industry and associated industries.
During this time I also pursued a year-long course in Health
and Safety Management. This proved vital in obtaining my
current job where I work within a consultancy implementing
Environmental, Health and Safety and Quality Management
Systems, in addition to other specialist environmental
services such as giving advice on Site Waste Management
Plans.
My current job
My current role in Inland Fisheries was advertised on many
recruitment websites and I applied for it directly through the
FÁS website. The on-going monitoring of water quality on a
number of key inland waterways is one of the main roles of
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). The purpose of the work is to
identify and eliminate sources of pollution or incidents of
fish kills, thus maintaining these waterways as a valuable
recreational resource. IFI is also involved in a broad range of
fisheries research and monitoring activities including water
chemistry, aquatic vegetation, coarse fish, pike, salmonids,
conservation species, estuarine and marine fish.
My main responsibility is water quality analysis. This
involves processing water samples for nutrient
concentrations, chlorophyll, Biological Oxygen Demand
(BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), alkalinity, turbidity
and heavy metals. I'm also involved in creating a new water
chemistry database for the lab which will consolidate all
sample results recorded since the 1970s. Different research
officers send in water samples from several sites around the
country for analysis. These sites include the water framework
sites, IFI fish farms and important fishery sensitive locations.
The experience I have gained at IFI has been truly
invaluable. I have been given the opportunity to implement
analytical techniques that I utilized during my Masters and
have developed a greater degree of competency.
Recently I assisted with the on-going Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) inter-calibration programme which
our laboratory must participate in. This is implemented as
part of a quality management scheme for the IFI lab.
Tips for students and graduates
Networking is extremely important. LinkedIn.com, for
example, is great way of finding people and companies in
your discipline. Internships are central in providing
experience to graduates that employers’ ultimately desire.
14 |
Environment 2013/2014
Job hunting
After finishing university I took a part time job while I
searched for something more permanent by scanning
jobsites and registering with recruitment agencies. I had had
my CV honed and had done real-life interviews during the
preparation for my placement and that was a great help
when it came to sourcing a graduate job. The careers service
gave mock interviews and a contact who had previously
worked for my current employer gave me some brilliant
advice on the company’s approach and how the interviewers
would want me to come across.
Tips for students and graduates
My advice to those taking this career path would be to think
carefully about what your goals are. Engaging in work
experience during college is a great way to confirm to you
whether you are taking the right direction and it may also
highlight other options to you. Chat with your careers
adviser and different employers to see what they are looking
for.
INDEPENDENCE AND CREATIVITY ENCOURAGED
NAME Hilary Murphy
DEGREE(S) M.Sc. Sustainable
Development (2010), B.Sc. Spatial
Planning (2004), Dublin Institute of
Technology (DIT)
EMPLOYER Dublin City University
JOB TITLE Sustainability
Officer/Public Policy Researcher
NAME Niall Mulcahy
DEGREE BEng Sustainability Energy
(2012), Cork Institute of
Technology (CIT)
EMPLOYER Codema
EDUCATION Research Assistant
My current role
Starting out
The position offered me the opportunity to work on a broad
spectrum of projects relating to all the core pillars of
sustainability, whilst also engaging the skills of my
background degree. It gave me many ways in which I could
continue to learn about sustainability and contribute to
broader national and international projects and agendas.
I began by accepting a placement position with The
Greenway Cleantech Cluster. This position was
accommodated within one of The Greenway partner
organisations based at Dublin City University (DCU), a
research think tank called NorDubCo. This led to my role as
Research Officer for a public-policy think tank in tandem with
working on a sustainability agenda for Dublin City University.
The post involves carrying out research on a number of local,
regional and national projects which concern public-policy,
economic development, eco-innovation, the green economy
and socio-economic analysis. My work also involves acting as
a sustainability officer for the DCU campus. This incorporates
working on green campus initiatives and developing
partnerships with industry and others on sustainability
related agendas, funding applications for sustainability
research projects and coordination of cross campus activities
relating to the promotion of sustainability.
I’ve always had an interest in engineering, construction and
problem-solving and I wanted a course that also gave me
excellent career prospects. Our course director told us about
the roles in Codema - an organisation that provides energy
consultancy services to organisations in Ireland and has also
worked on a number of European projects. For a college
assignment I assessed the viability of making a building
more energy efficient using roof-mounted wind turbine and
solar panels. Such energy-efficient practices were integral to
the job that was on offer so telling Codema about my
assignment work definitely contributed to my success at
interview.
Highlights of the job
The best aspects of the job are definitely the variety of the
work. I also love working on a University campus it has a great
atmosphere and the opportunity to learn so much from the
different skills and experiences of my colleagues is invaluable. I
have particularly enjoyed one project where I worked on an
Eco-Innovation Brief for Ireland on behalf of the EU and I also
enjoy the challenges which come with pushing the
sustainability agenda for the University. While I typically work
independently, the mix of projects ensures a mix of colleagues,
contacts and supports with whom I have regular contact.
What my job entailed
With another colleague I had to carry out energy audits of
public libraries in the Dublin area. We began by analysing
GPRN and MPRN meter reports and then organised visits to
each building and discussed the current energy usage with
the person responsible for managing each building. We then
mapped out the floor area and the energy type and usage in
each segment and did a general audit of the building. Finally
we wrote up a report for the Head of Library Services. I was
allowed a huge amount of autonomy in my work and
independence and creativity were very much encouraged.
Tips for students and graduates
Good academic performance is crucial to getting a good job
in this sector. Aim to work consistently through your studies
- don’t leave your major effort until your final year. Always
gear your CV specifically towards the job on offer and
research employers comprehensively before you apply.
Postgraduate study will give your CV an added boost – I’m
just starting an MSc in Sustainable Energy Systems.
Advice for students and graduates
Be smart about the research projects you do and the
opportunities that college presents. Undertaking a research
thesis for example is a great way to make contacts in a
research area which interests you and can equip you with a
solid piece of work to use for writing publications and getting
your name known. Participating in additional relevant
training and events such as summer schools can really
enhance your CV.
Environment 2013/2014 | 15
Graduate profiles
A GREAT ATMOSPHERE TO WORK IN
Professional development
Training and career
development
What to expect
The variations of opportunity and degrees of difference in
the many roles on offer in this sector are as wide as the
sector itself. You might find yourself engaged in fieldwork,
laboratory work, office-based work and indeed any
combination of these and more. Hours are more likely to
be regular in public sector bodies than private and in the
latter especially you can expect that some evening or
weekend work may be required.
How your career might progress
Graduates in the environmental field tend to be highly
qualified – a recent ENDS survey reported that around
90% of ‘green’ job holders have at least an undergraduate
degree with 50% of those also having a Masters. As such
the level of responsibility in graduate roles is higher than
for many other areas. Those with less experience and a
lower level of professional qualifications may expect to
commence as a trainee or junior officer, technician or
researcher. Progression may be subsequently possible into
more senior positions as managers, specialists and
partners or associates. Many opportunities may be shortterm, contract, temporary or project-related so graduates
should keep an open mind and have a flexible attitude
when researching potential opportunities.
Professional qualifications
Chartership and professional membership is relevant to
many graduates wishing to progress within the wider
environmental sphere. Environmental science graduates in
Northern Ireland are expected to progress towards
chartered status (CEnv) once they have passed their
undergraduate degree. This status is granted by the UK’s
Society for the Environment. Successful chartership
demonstrates your competence and professionalism to
prospective employers and thus is the key to opening the
door to many employment opportunities.
Many graduates also apply for registration with the
Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment
(IEMA). This is the professional membership body for
16 |
Environment 2013/2014
Professional development
promoting best practice standards in environmental
management, auditing and assessment for all industry sectors.
It is a UK body with an international membership. IEMA is the
Competent Body in the United Kingdom for the European
Union's Eco Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).
Apart from those with qualifications in environmental
and environmental science-related disciplines, one of the
biggest cohorts of graduates working in environmental and
green career sectors are engineers. Achieving chartership is
crucial in making you attractive to the widest number of
employers. To begin the journey towards becoming
chartered you need to secure employment with an
organisation that runs a graduate programme accredited
either by the Institution of Engineering and Technology or
Engineers Ireland.
Within the Republic of Ireland the requirements for
chartered status are being raised. Until 2013 graduates
with an undergraduate degree will be considered, but from
that year onwards graduates will have to have secured a
masters’ degree in order to apply. Alongside this, candidates
working towards the achievement of chartered status are
required to complete a four year working/training period,
essays, a practice report and specific training courses and
covering a specific range of topics.
The path to accreditation as a chartered engineer in
Northern Ireland is similar. You must firstly gain a job with
an organisation that runs an Initial Professional
Development Scheme accredited by the Institution of
Engineering and Technology. When you and all parties
connected to your participation in the scheme are satisfied
with your level of competence you can apply for registration.
Many other institutes also offer chartership and/or
professional registration. These include: Institution of
Water and Environmental Management, Chartered
Institute of Wastes Management, Institute of Ecology and
Environmental Management, Energy Institute and the
Institute of Environmental Sciences. All such organisations
offer graduate entry memberships which are cheap and
provide a great route to networking with industry
professionals.
Environment 2013/2014 | 17
Further study
Postgraduate
Study
How postgraduate study can further your
career
Depending on the size and business of the organisation
you are applying to and the job you are applying for an
undergraduate degree may be sufficient to secure a
graduate position. That said, most organisations, and the
larger ones in particular, will expect you to have a
postgraduate masters degree, postgraduate diploma or
higher. An advanced qualification will help to develop
skills specific to the employment sector you are targeting
and will give you the edge over other candidates who do
not have one. This is a very competitive field and relevant
experience is essential.
Entry requirements will vary according to the course
you choose. The more competitive courses will require an
honours degree award of a minimum of 2:1 or higher.
Where some courses will require a degree in a specific
area, known as a 'cognate' discipline – others may require
competence in a particular subject. Conversion courses are
generally open to graduates from any discipline.
For graduates in the Republic hoping to undertake a
postgraduate programme in environmental, sustainability,
energy or other ‘green’ related specialisms, UCD leads the
field in terms of the number of options on offer. It was the
first institution on the island of Ireland to develop a
Masters in Environmental Policy. TCD also offers a
considerable suite of environmental study options. In the
North of Ireland QUB has made its mark in the provision
of sustainability and wider environmental programmes
with its campus-based international research centre. In
terms of postgraduate study in the energy sector,
particularly as related to the built environment and
renewables, DIT provides a wide selection of programmes
as does NUIM.
Institutions across the thirty-two counties cater well for
the many skills areas required by industry. In terms of
programmes with a specific environmental or ‘green’ focus,
the range of options is vast and includes: policy, protection,
conservation, engineering (environmental/structural and
geotechnical/civil/transport), science, analytical chemistry,
18 |
Environment 2013/2014
bioresource technology, modelling, planning, law, geography
and paleocology, economics, development, health and safety,
resource management and decision-making.
The range of strands of study specific to sustainability is
equally rich and includes: development, development and
globalisation, management, drylands policy and climate
change adaptation, rural development, design, agriculture,
corporate social responsibility, aquaculture and inshore
fisheries.
Graduates interested in developing their knowledge and
skills for careers in energy can choose from programmes
targeting that sector which include: renewable energy
systems, sustainable energy and green technologies,
systems engineering, management, electrical energy
systems and a range of engineering options in renewable
energy.
Many private and public sector organisations such as
the North/South body Universities Ireland offer sector
specific scholarships. In 2012 they joined with ESB, Ireland’s
main electric utility company, to offer three scholarships in
the area of energy and engineering.
Further study
Pure research options
A
side from all the taught options, multiple research
programmes abound with many institutions acting
as headquarters to organisations responsible for
R&D. UCD for example is home to the Earth Institute of
Ireland whilst IT Sligo houses the Centre for Sustainability.
In 2012 DIT established a rooftop meteorological
observation site in the heart of Dublin city to facilitate
research into urban climatology. Within Northern Ireland
the Questor Research Centre at QUB provides application
focused environmental research to generate knowledge
and technologies for the future needs of industry.
Conversion programmes
Conversion courses open doors for graduates from all
disciplines to study an environment related subject.
Again, UCD provides some of the widest range of options
including some in sustainable agriculture and rural
development, environmental and resource management
and bioresource technology. A significant number of
courses are offered in energy in DIT, NUIM, CIT and UCC
while DKIT lists conversion options with its Organic
Resource Research Group and the Centre for Freshwater
Studies.
Consult www.postgradireland.com for the full ranges
of programmes available throughout Ireland.
Environment 2013/2014 | 19
Further information
Further information
Jobs and salary information
Environment Analyst ......................................................www.environment-analyst.com
Countryside Jobs Service (CJS) .............................................www.countryside-jobs.com
Ecological Recruitment ................................................................................www.eco-uk.com
ENDS Environmental Job Search ...........................................www.endsjobsearch.co.uk
Environment Job recruitment website.............................www.environmentjob.co.uk
Environment Jobs website ..................................................www.environmentjobs.co.uk
Environmental Careers ............................................www.environmentalcareers.org.uk
Green jobs and sector information ......www.greenjobs.ie and www.greenjobs.com
The Environment Post .........................................................www.environmentpost.co.uk
Green Roles .............................................................................................www.greenroles.co.uk
Greenjobs recruitment site .................................................www.greenjobsonline.co.uk
Nature Jobs ..............................................................................www.nature.com/naturejobs
New Scientist Jobs ....................................................................www.newscientistjobs.com
Sector specific resources
Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland ............................................www.acei.ie
British Ecological Society.............................................www.britishecologicalsociety.org
Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers ...........www.cibseireland.org
Chartered Institution of Wastes Management .................................www.ciwm.co.uk
Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Mgmt .............www.ciwem.org
Climate Change and Sustainability resource .............................www.emissionzero.ie
Composting Association of Ireland (CRE) .........................................................www.cre.ie
Department of Environmental, NI (and NIEA) .................................www.doeni.gov.uk
Directory of businesses in all industries ..........................................www.kompass.com
Ecological/Conservation Research and Training .......http://ert-conservation.co.uk
Engineers Ireland .........................................................................................................www.iei.ie
Environment Council UK.................................www.the-environment-council.org.uk/
Environmental Data Interactive Exchange – mainly UK .......................www.edie.net
Environmental Data Services Careers
Report & Directory ............www.endsreport.co.uk and www.endsdirectory.co.uk
Environmental News ..........................................www.enviro-solutions.com/news.htm
Environmental Protection Agency – Ireland ...................................................www.epa.ie
Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland ...............................www.esaiweb.org
Environmental Services UK ............................................................................www.esauk.org
Green Directory Ireland ................................................................................www.greenifsc.ie
Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management .......................www.ieem.net
Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment ..................www.iema.net
Institute of Geologists of Ireland ..........................................................................www.igi.ie
Institution of Chemical Engineers ...........................................................www.icheme.org
International Association of Hydrogeologists (Irish Group) .www.iah-ireland.org
20 |
Environment 2013/2014
Further information
Sector specific resources (continued)
Irish archive of media-sourced
environmental articles ...www.friendsoftheirishenvironment.net/paperstoday
Irish BioEnergy Association .............................................................................www.irbea.org
Irish Department of Environment/Local Government.......................www.environ.ie
Irish Environmental Law Association.................................................................www.iela.ie
Irish Environmental Organisation Network .....................................................www.ien.ie
Irish Mining and Quarrying Society ................................................................www.imqs.ie
Irish Planning Institute.......................................................www.irishplanninginstitute.ie
Irish Wind Energy Association ......................................................................www.iwea.com
Marine Conservation Society – UK.............................................................www.mcsuk.org
Marine Institute - Ireland ..................................................................www.marine.ie/home
Marine Renewables Industry Association – Ireland...................................www.mria.ie
National Parks and Wildlife Service – Ireland .............................................www.npws.ie
National Trust – UK......................................................................www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) ...................www.nienvironmentlink.org
NI Coastal and Marine forum ...............................................www.coastalmarineni.com
NI Executive energy web-pages ..........www.detini.gov.uk/deti-energy-index.htm
Northern Ireland charity promoting sustainability..............www.sustainableni.org
Northern Ireland conservation volunteers ..................................................www.cvni.org
Society for the Environment – UK .......................................................www.socenv.org.uk
Sustainability Change Agents – UK .................................................changeagents.org.uk
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland..........................................................www.seai.ie
Sustainable Northern Ireland........................................................www.sustainableni.org
Teagasc – Agriculture and Food Development – Ireland...................www.teagasc.ie
Transition Towns ................................................www.transitiontownsireland.ning.com
Wildlife Trust – Northern Ireland........................................www.ulsterwildlifetrust.org
Wildlife Trust – Ireland..............................................................................................www.iwt.ie
Working Group on Applied
Agricultural Meteorology ............................................www.met.ie/agmet/agmet.asp
Environment 2013/2014 | 21