PLEASE NOTE: Job profile content may reflect pre-COVID-19 conditions.

Environmental Scientist

Kaipūtaiao Ao Tūroa

Alternative titles for this job

Environmental scientists study human effects on the environment such as climate change, pollution and loss of biodiversity. They also advise on how to avoid or reduce these harmful effects.

Pay

Environmental scientists usually earn

$58K-$165K per year

Source: Scitex, 2023.

Job opportunities

Chances of getting a job as an environmental scientist are good due to a shortage of workers and increasing demand for their services.

Pay

Pay for environmental scientists depends on their experience, qualifications and the type of work they do.

  • Graduate environmental scientists with up to five years' experience usually earn $58,000 to $91,000 a year. 
  • Senior environmental scientists with a Master's degree and five years' experience can earn up to $126,000 a year. 
  • Environmental scientists with a doctoral degree who work at research institutes can earn from $85,000 to $165,000 a year. 

Source: Scitex Recruitment, March 2023.

(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our pay information)

What you will do

Environmental scientists may do some or all of the following:

  • study plants and animals in their environment
  • assess sources of soil, water and air pollution, and develop ways to control these
  • use computer modelling techniques to predict future events in the ecosystem
  • study how to alter soils using fertilisers to suit different plants
  • develop efficient irrigation, drainage and waste disposal methods
  • plan and run field studies and experiments
  • prepare reports on the environmental impacts of activities such as mining, forestry and agriculture
  • provide the science for planners to make decisions on how to adapt to climate change and rising sea levels
  • report results of studies in science journals and at conferences
  • liaise with the community to build relationships and increase participation in decision making 
  • study and develop environmental policies
  • provide technical advice to clients or local government authorities
  • prepare applications for resource consent on behalf of clients, in compliance with the Resource Management Act.

Skills and knowledge

Environmental scientists need to have knowledge of:

  • the environment, including excellent knowledge of at least one area of environmental science such as water, soil or air quality
  • ecosystems and the interaction between species
  • natural history
  • the Resource Management Act, and understanding of the effects of commercial development on the environment
  • the Environmental Effects Act 2012
  • practical skills for performing experiments and operating scientific equipment
  • research skills, and ability to analyse research results
  • maths and computer programming skills.

Working conditions

Environmental scientists:

  • usually work regular business hours, but may be required to work weekends and evenings to meet deadlines
  • usually work in offices, but may work outdoors when collecting samples or visiting sites
  • may travel nationally and overseas to work on projects.

What's the job really like?

Environmental scientist video

Mahina-a-rangi Baker talks about her role as an environmental consultant – 5.38 mins.

Kia ora, my name’s Mahina-a-rangi Baker. I’m an environmental consultant and a kaitiaki and I work predominantly for Te Atiawa ki Whakarongotai which is my iwi here in Waikanae.

Working as a kaitiaki, as someone who protects the environment on behalf of our people requires you to be a bit of a jack of all trades. In any given week I could be working with freshwater scientists, stormwater engineers, planners at council, people who actually do construction on the ground. I think that’s potentially one of the most challenging aspects of this work, but it’s also quite rewarding because it means that we have a really integrated overview of all the things that are going on in our region. If I sit down with a freshwater scientist they may not actually be aware that their colleague who works in stormwater is actually doing some sort of works further down the river. I find that it’s helpful that we can bring that more integrated approach to things where we have a general understanding of what’s going on in all sorts of spaces within the environment.

What drew me into doing this sort of work, when I was a teenager our iwi here asked for young people to assist with kiwi translocations from Kapiti Island. So I went over to the island to help catch kiwi to send to other islands and I think in that process of handling kiwi and spending time with our native birds and our taonga I really grew an appreciation for how special they are, and wanted to work in a space where I could help protect them. And that then directed me to take a lot of science classes in high school and then to do a degree in ecology.

I applied for a lot of scholarships when I was at university and one of the scholarships I had provided me with a work placement and it was a very scientific role working in a lab looking at the effects of pesticides on bee communities. So it was very technical, not in the field. But I think having that grounding in hard science is very helpful.

Some of the projects that I’m working on at the moment are responding to applications by either council or private developers where they want to build a new development, or want to do some sort of work in a river or a stream that’s going to have an effect on the environment and we provide input into a management plan that may have some sort of impact on freshwater.

Typically the way that people think about effects to freshwater are chemical or biological. So might look at the chemistry of the water, the water quality, the ecology of the river catchment. A Māori approach will look at those things but it will also consider, what are the effects to the cultural heritage of that river? Because for us landscape is really imbued with historical and cultural meaning. What’s the effect spiritually? And not just spiritually to the people but to the peaceful and calm quality that water and rivers often have. What are the social effects? So can our people still go down and eat from the river? Do we see our traditional foods being put on our marae, are we able to serve food to people? Those types of considerations, I think Māori are able to bring that fuller picture. And what we find is that those values in one way are specifically Māori but non-Māori can relate to that too.

The job requires me to consult widely with our iwi to maintain really good relationships. In particular with our kaumātua, or our elderly community. That’s something I’ve been encouraged to do since I was quite young. But certainly anyone getting into this work I’d encourage them to participate and be active within their own iwi, because whilst in our job there’s a lot of reading and writing, our responsibility is that we’re accurately reflecting the values that our people hold.

For people looking to do this type of work, the starting point is with the iwi itself. That being said, within the mainstream sector, within ministries and council there’s also a huge demand for people who not only have a background in environmental science, but particularly if they have familiarity with the Māori world, or with Māori knowledge, there’s a huge demand for people with those skills.

Entry requirements

To become an environmental scientist you usually need to have a Master's degree in one of the following areas, depending on your specialisation:

  • environmental science or a related area such as chemistry or engineering
  • ecology or a related area such as botany or zoology
  • soil science or a related discipline such as earth science.

A PhD is usually required for research-based positions.

Secondary education

A tertiary entrance qualification is required to enter further training. Useful subjects include biology, chemistry, maths, geography, physics, economics, and agricultural and horticultural science. 

Personal requirements

Environmental scientists need to be:

  • accurate
  • able to make good judgements
  • good at problem solving
  • good at planning and organising
  • good at communicating
  • creative, so they can develop new ideas.

Useful experience

Useful experience for environmental scientists includes:

  • surveying work
  • environmental engineering work
  • environmental monitoring or measurement
  • working as a volunteer in ecology or conservation work
  • laboratory work.

Physical requirements

Environmental scientists need to be reasonably fit and healthy to make field trips or site visits.

Find out more about training

Department of Conservation
(04) 471 0726 - enquiries@doc.govt.nz - www.doc.govt.nz
Science New Zealand
(04) 4 913 9979 - pa@sciencenewzealand.org - www.sciencenewzealand.org
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)
enquiries@niwa.co.nz - www.niwa.co.nz/education-and-training
Check out related courses

What are the chances of getting a job?

Strong demand for environmental scientists

Chances of getting work as an environmental scientist are good because the Government has made climate change a priority but there is a shortage of environmental scientists. 

Demand for environmental research is growing because of increased pressure on the environment from population growth, urban expansion and the effects of industry.  

Environmental research scientist appears on Immigration New Zealand's long-term skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled environmental scientists from overseas to work in New Zealand.

According to the Census, 1,767 environmental scientists worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Good opportunities for environmental scientists in a range of industries 

There are good opportunities for environmental scientists with a policy or evaluation focus to work for primary sector industries on land or at sea, regional and local councils, and government environmental ministries and agencies.

There is high demand for environmental scientists who can monitor the impacts of industrial activities on the environment, manage resource consents, provide advice on minimising environmental footprints, and consult and engage with stakeholders.  

Types of employers varied

Environmental scientists who do academic research mainly work for:

  • Crown Research Institutes
  • government departments such Department of Conservation
  • universities.

Environmental scientists who do policy or evaluation work may be employed by:

  • regional, city and district councils
  • government departments and Crown entities
  • private consultancies and companies.

Sources

  • Bryan, K, director, environmental research institute, University of Waikato, careers.govt.nz interview, April 2021. 
  • Henderson, E, senior human resources advisor, Environment Canterbury Regional Council, careers.govt.nz interview, April 2021.
  • Immigration New Zealand, 'Long Term Skill Shortage List', 27 May 2019, (www.immigration.govt.nz).
  • Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, 'Scientists' Occupation Outlook', accessed April 2021, (www.mbie.govt.nz).
  • Stats NZ, '2018 Census Data', 2019.

(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our job opportunities information)

Progression and specialisations

Environmental scientists in research roles can progress into senior research scientist, team leader or manager roles. 

Environmental scientists may also specialise in an area such as:

Air Pollution Analyst
Air pollution analysts study factors producing air pollution and recommend ways to prevent and control these.
Ecologist
Ecologists study animals and plants in their natural habitats, and how they interact with those environments.
Land Degradation Analyst
Land degradation analysts study factors degrading the quality of soils and recommend ways to prevent and control these.
Water Quality Analyst
Water quality analysts study factors affecting water quality and recommend ways to prevent and control these.
Professors Karin Bryan and Isaac Santos on a boat monitoring water quality in the Waihou River near Thames

Environmental scientists look at the impact of pollution on lakes and rivers (Photo: University of Waikato)

Last updated 27 March 2023