Are you looking to write your perfect Environmental Consultant CV? Environmental consultants play a vital role in addressing today’s environmental challenges, providing expertise in areas such as sustainability, pollution control and resource management.
Crafting a compelling CV is crucial, as it serves as your first impression to potential employers. Your CV should highlight your qualifications, relevant experience and notable achievements in the field.
In this article, we’ll guide you step-by-step, offering valuable tips and providing a compelling example to help you create a standout CV that will get you shortlisted for the role.
I am a qualified, reliable and adaptable Environmental Consultant with a broad knowledge of delivering environmental projects in biological experiments, environmental management systems, sustainability, harmful emissions, waste and other environmental matters. I have exceptional oral and written skills, along with the ability to collect and interpret data using specialist computer software.
Achievements
1st class degree in Environmental Science from the Keele University
Qualified to conduct a Health Impact Assessment
Education
2011 – 2014
BSc (Hons) Environmental Science
Keele University
Grade achieved: [1:1]
Relevant Modules:
Earth and ecological systems
Environment protection and governance
Methods and skills in environmental science
River processes, deposits and environments
Adaptation to changing environments
Ecological concepts and plant sciences
Environmental science field course
2009 – 2011 Results: Biology: A Chemistry: A Physics: B
A Levels
Five Ways Sixth Form
Work experience
Dec 2015 – Present
Environmental Consultant ACCON UK
Main duties performed:
Providing advice, support and consultancy services to government officials
Investigating the negative environmental impacts of human activities
Managing environmental projects across various sites
Collecting data on air, water quality and organisms
Collecting samples of soil, chemicals and biological specimen
Performing laboratory analysis on the samples collected
Writing environmental reports and presenting them to the relevant people
Writing an in-depth review on air and water quality and its impact on organisms
Assisting the research team when making a policy decision regarding any health risks or hazards before collecting data on the field
Providing assistance to colleagues when conducting environmental scans during the assessment of ecosystems and their structure
Conducting site appraisals and ecological surveys
Managing staff and external sub-contractors to support surveys
Providing safety and technical support to colleagues/projects
Creating maps of polluted sites and presenting the findings to officials
Ensuring Health & Safety regulations are adhered to at all times
Mar 2014 – Nov 2015
Environmental Enforcement Officer Waltham Forest
Main duties performed:
Providing support and advice to government officials regarding the environment
Monitoring the Borough of Waltham Forest for any breaching of regulations under the Environmental Protection Act 1990
Clearing all litter and waste from the area, including the provisions of the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996
Issuing fixed penalty notices for offences, including littering
Accurately recording of case progression with the use of computer software
General admin duties including photocopying and filing
Qualifications
Level 5 in Leadership and Management – ILM
1-week training in Environmental Acts and Legislation
Health Impact Assessment training
Skills
I have knowledge and practical experience in environmental surveys, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and both internal and external audits
Accurately planning and conducting research and carrying out experimental and practical work in a methodical manner and according to appropriate scientific methods
Excellent ability to present, in both written and verbal forms, the results of research and experimentation with groups and individuals
I have up-to-date knowledge of the UK’s environmental legislation and European regulations affecting the environment
I am IT proficient, especially in using Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and analytical software (SPSS).
Hobbies and interests
In my spare time, I enjoy visiting botanical gardens around the country and learning more about this beautiful planet we live on. I also enjoy spending most of my evenings and weekends socialising with my family and friends.
Personal details: The candidate has included clear and relevant contact information at the top of the CV, making it easy for employers to identify the owner of the CV and how to contact them.
Structured sections: The CV is well-structured with distinct sections for qualifications, work experience and achievements, making it easy to navigate. They also have a logical order, i.e. most important sections are placed at the top.
Tailored to the job: The candidate has tailored their CV to the specific job they’re applying for, aligning their skills and experiences with the requirements of the environmental consultant role. Furthermore, they have also used professional and industry-specific language throughout the CV, demonstrating their knowledge and familiarity with the field.
Proofreading: The CV is free from spelling and grammatical errors, indicating the candidate’s attention to detail and professionalism.
Utilise clear headings: Organise your CV with clear headings for each section, such as “Personal Profile,” “Education,” “Work Experience,” and “Skills.” Ensure that they are written in bold and in a slightly larger font size than the rest of the text.
Use a professional font: Using a professional font on a CV is crucial as it enhances readability and presents a polished image to potential employers, making a positive first impression. Check out these CV fonts for a list of the best typefaces to use for a CV.
Incorporate bullet points: Use bullet points to break down information within each section, making it easily scannable; this is especially important in the competitive job market, where recruiters often review numerous CVs in a short amount of time.
Maintain a reasonable length: Aim for a two-page CV but focus on quality content rather than length.
Your CV’s personal details section should include your full name, phone number, email address and address. This section ensures that employers can reach out to you promptly and is often placed at the top of your CV for easy reference.
Your personal profile is a brief paragraph at the beginning that introduces you to potential employers. Here, you should summarise your key skills, experiences and what makes you a great fit for the job you’re applying for. It’s important because it’s the first thing employers read and it gives them a quick idea of what you can offer to their company.
Experienced Environmental Consultant with a proven track record in sustainability initiatives, pollution control and resource management. Successfully managed projects, such as improving energy efficiency in commercial buildings by 15% and conducted environmental impact assessments for regulatory compliance. Ready to apply my expertise to drive environmental solutions in a dynamic organisation.
Achievements
The achievements section of your CV is where you proudly list key accomplishments and successes from your professional or academic life. It could include awards you’ve won, promotions you’ve earned, specific projects you’ve excelled in or outstanding academic achievements. These achievements show employers what you’ve achieved in the past, indicating what you can potentially bring to their organisation.
Example:
Led a team of five consultants to successfully complete a high-stakes environmental impact assessment for a major construction project.
Achieved a 20% reduction in waste disposal costs through the implementation of innovative recycling strategies.
Served as the Environmental Club President at the university, organising environmental awareness campaigns and community clean-up projects.
Employment and work experience
In this section, you need to give details of your employment history. You can also include any part-time and voluntary positions here. Each entry in the employment section of your CV should include the following components: job title, company name, employment dates and key responsibilities and achievements.
March 2018 – November 2021
Environmental Consultant EcoSolutions Ltd.
Main duties and responsibilities performed:
Conducted environmental impact assessments for various construction projects.
Advised clients on sustainable practices, leading to a 15% reduction in energy consumption.
Managed a team of junior consultants and provided training on best environmental practices.
Collaborated with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
Developed innovative waste reduction strategies, resulting in a 20% decrease in disposal costs.
Achievements: Successfully led a team that achieved a 98% client satisfaction rate and secured repeat business contracts.
Conducting environmental impact assessments to identify potential risks and mitigating measures.
Advising clients on sustainable practices and eco-friendly solutions to improve environmental performance.
Collaborating with regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
Developing and implementing environmental management plans for clients or projects.
Analysing data and conducting field investigations to assess environmental conditions.
Leading teams of consultants or junior staff in various environmental projects and initiatives.
Education and training
This section helps employers understand your educational background and how it relates to the job you’re applying for, so make it clear and concise. Only include jobs that are relevant, recent and/or significant and add value to your application. Present the entries in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
Example:
September 2017 – June 2021
BSc in Environmental Science
Greenfield University
Degree Classification: Second Class Honours (Upper Division).
Subjects studied:
Environmental Impact Assessment
Pollution Control Strategies
Sustainable Resource Management
Environmental Policy and Regulation
September 2015 – June 2017 Results: Environmental Studies: A, Biology: A, Chemistry: B.
A-Levels
Oakridge College
Qualifications
In this section, you can list your qualifications, including professional certifications, training, and vocational courses that are relevant to your career as an environmental consultant. Include the name of the qualification, the awarding institution and the date of completion to showcase your expertise and commitment to ongoing learning in the field.
Example:
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Environmental Management – Environmental Institute
Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Training (HAZWOPER) – Safety Training Ltd
Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification – Project Management Institute
Skills
Here, you should include both technical skills, such as environmental assessments and regulatory compliance, as well as soft skills like communication and project management. This section helps employers quickly assess if you possess the necessary skills for the job.
Example:
Environmental impact assessment: Conducted thorough assessments for multiple construction projects, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and achieving significant reductions in potential risks.
Project management: Managed and led teams on complex environmental projects, completing them on time and within budget.
Regulatory compliance: Maintained a flawless compliance record during inspections by collaborating with regulatory bodies and implementing necessary changes.
Environmental policy and regulation: A deep understanding of laws and regulations governing environmental practices.
Pollution control strategies: Developing and implementing strategies to minimize pollution and environmental damage.
Risk assessment: Identifying potential environmental risks and developing plans to mitigate them.
Waste management: Efficiently managing waste disposal and recycling programs to reduce environmental impact.
Energy efficiency: Implementing measures to increase energy efficiency in various environments.
Critical thinking: Analysing complex problems and developing innovative solutions in the environmental field.
Report writing: Drafting comprehensive and clear reports detailing environmental findings and recommendations.
Hobbies and interests (optional)
While this section of your CV is not mandatory, including this section can help you connect with potential employers on a personal level. It should contain hobbies and interests that demonstrate qualities or skills relevant to the job or show a well-rounded, active or passionate side of you. For example, if you’re into volunteering for environmental causes, it can emphasise your commitment to sustainability.
Example:
Passionate about sustainable living, I actively volunteer with local environmental organisations and participate in community clean-up initiatives. In my free time, I enjoy walking and exploring natural landscapes, further fuelling my commitment to protecting the environment.
References
The references section of your CV is where you list people who can confirm your professional abilities and character. Referees can include former employers, supervisors, colleagues or mentors who are acquainted with your work.
Example:
Ms Lucy White Environmental Project Manager, EcoBalance Group Address: 4 Sheffield Street, Newcastle, NE1 6XY Tel: 07543 210 987 Email:[email protected]
Mr William Irwin Director of Environmental Services, Green Horizon Inc. Address: 90 Willow Drive, Leeds, LS2 9JK Tel: 07987 654 321 Email:[email protected]
Note: If you do not wish to disclose your references on your CV, you should write, “References are available upon request.”
Quantify your achievements: Whenever possible, include metrics and data to showcase your achievements. For example, mention the percentage of waste reduction achieved through your strategies.
Incorporate keywords: Use industry-specific keywords from the job description to improve the CV’s chances of passing through applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Mention industry associations: If you’re a member of professional environmental associations, like the IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment), include this in your CV.
Keep your CV updated: Regularly update your CV to reflect new accomplishments, skills and certifications.
Written by Sobhan Mohmand Sobhan is a qualified Careers Advisor and Professional CV Writer with over 10 years of experience in helping job seekers get a job. He is a Member of the Careers Development Institute (CDI) and is listed on the official UK Register of Career Development Professionals. He holds a Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development (QCF).
