Senior Environmental Policy Officers are responsible for the development, implementation, promotion and review of environmental policies within their organisation.
Senior Environmental Policy Officers may also be responsible for:
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advising government departments on environmental policies
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influencing the way policies and procedures are carried out by external partners
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coordinating and submitting responses to environmental consultations e.g.relating to new legislation
Senior Enviornmental Policy Officers will be required to have up-to-date knowledge and understanding of:
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environmental laws at local, national and international levels
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climate change
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commercial land management
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the conservation management of habitats for biodiversity.
It is important to be interested in sustainable environmental management and to have a good understanding of related issues. Political awareness is often highly desirable.
Senior Environmental Policy Officers are employed in:
Self-employment, for example in environmental consultancy, may also be an option.
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multi-national campaigning organisations
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government and non-government departments
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environmental consultancies
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local government
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environmental charities
Senior Environmental Policy Officers typically work a standard full-time week, although part-time opportunities are available. Occasional evening and weekend working can be required. They may have direct line management responsibility for staff, including project managers, and for volunteers. Excellent communication, presentation and influencing skills, and budget management experience, are typically required.
Salary levels vary widely depending on experience and on the employing organisation.
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A Senior Environmental Policy Officer could earn between £25,000 and £35,000per year
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Opportunities also exist to earn between £40,000 to £50,000 per year.
- The National Occupational Standards for this role are currently under development
- Business and Selling Skills
- Management / Leadership Skills
- Analytical / Research Skills
- Planning / Organizing Skills
- Problem-Solving
- Customer Care / People Skills
- Mediation / Negotiation Skills
- Project Management Skills
- HR Skills
- Decision Making Skills
There are a number of qualifications and training courses that can help you improve your current skills, find employment and gain promotion. However, for Senior Environmental Policy jobs a Degree may be an essential requirement unless significant relevant experience can be shown.
Both the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) and the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) offer workshops and structured training courses at all levels from introductory days to specialist subjects at an advanced level. Organisations such as the Association of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Park Study Centres also offer relevant, topical workshops and courses (contact these organisations directly for more information)
Other relevant qualifications which can support progression into senior environmental policy roles include:
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Apprenticeship in Environmental Conservation
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Diploma in Work-based Environmental Conservation (previously National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)) at Levels 2-4
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National Diploma in Countryside Management
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National Certificate in Countryside Management
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FdSc Countryside Management
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BSc/ BSc (Hons) Countryside and Environmental Management
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BSc (Hons) Environmental Conservation
Read more about all types of qualifications available in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Know what course you want? Search for a training course with Lantra’s CourseFinder
Senior Environmental Policy Officers will usually have a Degree (for example, in environmental science or policy), and some will have a Postgraduate qualification. They will have lots of experience of policy development, advocacy and implementation, with more generic skills and experience including managing people and budgets. They will also be strong communicators.
Jobs are advertised in regional, national and specialist publications and on related websites. Employment and volunteering opportunities can be found in the following places:
Websites:
* The Countryside Jobs Service can be viewed on-line. However, the subscription service offers more employment opportunities
Magazines and Journals:
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Environment Post
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The Guardian (Wednesday)
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New Scientist
Senior Environmental Policy Officers will continue to learn from experience, undertake training and continuous professional development and may progress into management positions. Career development often depends on the size and structure of the employing organisation, and progression may require moving to a different employer. There are also opportunities to specialise, for example in environmental campaigning or environmental impact assessments.
Senior Environmental Policy Officers will manage people and budgets and will need good communication skills. They may need to have experience in dealing with the media and experience of political lobbying
You can find out about other progression opportunities in this industry here
For general information relating to careers in environmental conservation, you can contact Lantra on 024 7669 6996 or environmentalconservation@lantra.co.uk
However, more specialist advice, for example in relation to training, may be required and is available from:
Industry Information
Publications:
Environmental Careers Handbook - Institute of Environmental Sciences (available from The Trotman Group, 2 The Green, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1P11 Tel: 0870 900 2665 e-mail: mail@trotman.co.uk