Career Profile: Environmental Science

Imagine the most remote untouched places in the world: a trickling creek in the middle of a lush forest, or the awe-inspiring beauty of a world dressed in white. Now, imagine being paid to travel to these places for work. This is the reality for some who pursue a career in environmental science. We interviewed Darren Brown, a project assessment officer at the BC Ministry of Environment, to find out more about careers in environmental science.

YT: What led you to pursue a career in environmental science?
DB: As long as I can remember, I’ve been curious about how living organisms and ecosystems functioned. In high school, I kind of gravitated towards biology/ecology because I found that it came naturally to me (no pun intended). In university, I continued on in sciences and completed a bachelor degree in biology. After I finished at university, I soon found myself working as an environmental scientist for a global consulting firm.

YT: What are your key responsibilities as a project assessment officer?
DB: My primary role is to manage and facilitate key aspects of the environmental assessment (EA) process in accordance with the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Act. This includes consulting and liaising with First Nations, government agencies and the public. During the EA process, my focus is to ensure a thorough review of the proponent’s application has been completed, to prepare an assessment report that identifies the significance of effects to valued components and to assist in the development of recommendations to aid the government in its decision-making process.

YT: What is the biggest challenge of your job?
DB: I would say balancing personal beliefs in relation to the organization’s objectives. I never got into the environmental field to be rich, famous or powerful. I do it because I enjoy science. I believe in sound environmental practices and I recognize the importance of maintaining a healthy environment. Unfortunately, environmental stewardship seems to always be in conflict with the economy.

YT: How much travel is involved?
DB: Considerable –most projects that require an environmental assessment are not local. In my current position, I average about a week of travel every month.

YT: What is the salary range for someone in your position?
DB: $60,000 to $80,000

YT: How do you see your field changing in the future?
DB: Right now the environmental field in Western Canada focuses on either assessment of existing resources for the purpose of determining proposed project impacts, or remediation of previously contaminated areas. I think the future will focus more on environmental input to design of projects, ecological restoration and pollution prevention.

YT: What do you enjoy most about working in the environmental science field?
DB: The variety of project work is unparalleled. You can’t get bored in this field. From traversing a stream just outside of Brisbane, Australia in search of the elusive platypus to drilling three-feet holes through the ice on the Athabasca River to monitor water quality, the breadth of where you can go and what you can do in this field is limited only to the entire Earth.

YT: What advice would you give a teen who is interested in getting into the environmental sciences?
DB: Get experience in as many aspects of environmental science as possible – don’t limit yourself to only your discipline of interest – and absorb as much as you can from experienced professionals (ask questions till their ears hurt). The field of environmental science is constantly changing and evolving. Stay current. Networking is key to career stability in this field.