Environmental Scientist - Personal requirements
Kaipūtaiao Ao Tūroa
Skills & knowledge
Environmental scientists need to have:
- knowledge of the environment including good knowledge of at least one area of environmental science such as water, land or air quality
- an understanding of the Resource Management Act
- knowledge of the consequences commercial development may have on the environment
- knowledge of new technology and research
- planning and organisational skills
- research skills
- practical skills for performing experiments and operating scientific equipment
- skill in analysing and interpreting research results and other information
- the ability to think in a comprehensive way to see the relationships between different things
- problem-solving skills
- communication skills
- writing skills, for writing reports and for publications
- maths and computer skills.
Personal Qualities
Environmental scientists need to be:
- accurate
- practical
- able to make good judgements
- disciplined
- able to work well under pressure
- creative, so they can develop new ideas.
Garth Harmsworth locating a reference point on a map
Ajit Sarmah measuring soil-water retention characteristics
Physical Requirements
Environmental scientists need to be reasonably fit and healthy to make field trips or site visits.
Updated
September 2009
