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Environmental Manager
Environmental management is a broad career and the term can be used to refer to a range of different jobs in different organisations. We refer here in particular to the technicians and professionals responsible for implementing environmental management plans in a production landscape or at development sites such as mines, construction sites for power stations or wind turbines, or at forestry plantations.
The environmental manager must ensure that environmental laws or regulations are not contravened, and that companies do not cause unnecessary soil erosion, damage to wetlands or pollution of water sources, and when they do damage the environment, that they take action to restore ecosystems and their functions effectively, e.g. replace plants that have been removed. Environmental managers are also appointed to lead sustainability reporting for companies listed on the stock exchange, to demonstrate that they comply with the country’s environmental laws.
Environmental managers work outdoors for some of the time, but also spend time at meetings in offices and boardrooms.
Satisfying Aspects
- working with animals
- opportunity to specialize in area of interest
- able to observe animals of many different types in their natural environment
Demanding aspects
- long and irregular working hours
- working outdoors in poor weather conditions
- having to live in remote areas, far away from schools, hospitals, shops and other amenities
- not very rewarding financially
Requirements
• be able to handle antagonism
• able to manage one’s own time and performance to excellent standards
• manage staff and client relations
• have good financial and business planning skills
• be fair, objective and able to see different viewpoints and uphold laws in sometimes highly disputed areas
• need excellent technical knowledge of a wide range of environmental topics
• specialist knowledge in one or two environmental areas can also be very valuable.
School Subjects
National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
Compulsory Subjects: Mathematics (some institutions require Physical Sciences and / or Life Sciences)
Recommended Subjects: Life Sciences, Physical Sciences.
Training
Degree: a general degree in the environmental sciences is a good starting point (BSc or BSocSc). Most universities offer these courses. This can be followed by specialising in a particular area such as wetlands, estuaries, or restoration science, etc. Alternatively, one could specialise in one’s first degree (e.g. a BSc. in Zoology followed by an MSc. in freshwater ecology) and thereafter do a short course in environmental law or sustainability reporting.
Courses to study would vary depending on the field one is interested in. A course in marine studies and oceanography could prepare one for working with the fishing industry, for example, while a general diploma or degree in environmental sciences may be appropriate for other areas.
Possible Career Paths
The necessary skills can be acquired if one joins a company and learns the ropes while on the job. With enough experience, environmental managers can run their own consultancies, perhaps specialising in a particular field.
Employer
• national and provincial environmental agencies
• municipalities
• big mining and forestry companies
• Eskom and other industries
• self-employment - most environmental managers run their own businesses and work in the private sector
Contact
South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON)
The Woods
Building C, Ground Floor
41 De Havilland Crescent
Persequor Technopark
Pretoria, 0020
Tel: (012) 349-7722 Fax: (012) 349-7719
www.saeon.ac,za
Environmental Management Unit
University of Pretoria
Department of Environmental Affairs
Head Office
Private Bag X447
Pretoria, 0001
Fedsure Forum Building
North Tower
315 Pretorius Street
Cnr Pretorius & van der Walt Streets
2nd Floor (Departmental reception) OR
1st Floor (Departmental information center)
Pretoria, 0001
Tel: (012) 310-3911
www.environment.gov,za
Information sponsored by GreenMatter.
Visit www.greenmatter.co.za.
www.up.ac.za/centre-environmental-studies/index.php