ecologist job description

Specific duties depend on the field of specialisation, but typical tasks include: researching and testing disturbed ecosystems: as an ecologist, you develop a hypothesis on population and ecosystem functions before researching to test the theory's viability. You also conduct field, theoretical and laboratory research to find evidence supporting your claims. Your research efforts improve your understanding of biodiversity and other subject matters related to the environment. analysing data and conducting studies: after your research, you organise the data to improve its interpretation from mere verifiable facts to meaningful information that assists decision-making. You are also involved with research studies that uncover unique characteristics of various components of ecosystems over time. advising organisations and the government on environmental impacts: studies often reveal underlying causes of behaviours of components of ecosystems. Hence, it is important to communicate your findings to policymakers and government agencies through proposals and journals on ecological remediation. Sometimes, your role involves assessing the environmental damage in a particular region and developing restoration strategies. creating habitat management plans: if your job involves restoring the natural environment in parks and conservation areas, you conduct site assessments. Once you ascertain the environmental damage, you create restoration schedules, budgets and habitat management initiatives like tree planting. You also provide technical support to field workers restoring the habitats. creating models to illustrate environmental remediation plans: as an ecologist, you develop models to help stakeholders visualise large-scale experimental studies on ecological conservation. You can use quantitative models to transform environmental theories into practical experiments and collect data on the potential impact of ecosystem changes.

Your work environment depends on your duties and can be indoors and outdoors. When doing field research, you work on land and underwater. The role could involve working in forests, wetlands and water bodies in different weather conditions to study organisms in their natural habitats. Some ecologists work in parks and wildlife conservation areas or visit communities. You may also work in a lab when testing soil samples and conducting other chemical research experiments. Since ecologists are also consultants, your job can involve working in an office setting to attend meetings, speak to policymakers and build computer models to aid research.

who are your colleagues?

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include environmental coordinators, research scientists and resource officers. You might also be working in close proximity to research officers and scientists , as well as other specialists that could include (but not be limited to) zoologists, environmental scientists and biologists.

As an ecologist, your work schedule ranges from 39 to 41 hours a week, based on the nature of your work. For instance, your work schedule is consistent between 8 am and 6 pm, with weekends off in an office or lab setting. Since you work full-time, expect overtime schedules, especially for outdoor activities. You work weekends and use evening hours to write reports after spending the day in the field. Part-time opportunities are rare unless you are an ecological consultant. Some ecologists work on a contract basis to complete one study. A career in ecology also involves a lot of travelling for fieldwork.

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advantages of finding an ecologist job through randstad

Finding your ecologist job through Randstad provides important advantages such as: a wide variety of training and development opportunities an experienced contact person to provide help if needed a range of opportunities in your area get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job temporary and permanent contracts Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as an ecologist is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

how much does an ecologist make in Australia?

As an ecologist, you earn an average salary of $90,000 annually, with entry-level ecologists taking home $80,000 yearly. With additional qualifications and experience, you will likely earn over $100,000 per year. Your area of specialisation influences your earnings as an ecologist.

are ecologists in high demand?

While the projected job growth of ecologists is declining, Australia still has a high demand for ecologists and environmental scientists. With the world concerned about climate change and its implications, environmental scientists and ecologists play a major role.

what are the duties of an ecologist?

As an ecologist, you study living organisms and the environment. You perform fieldwork to gather data for analysis and use the information gathered for environmental restoration. You work with other professionals to develop green technology practices and processes. You also develop models to investigate the effects of changes in the ecosystem.

how do I become an ecologist in Australia?

To become an ecologist in Australia, you require educational qualifications like a bachelor’s degree in a relevant science field like environmental science and biology. You also require postgraduate qualifications to become part of a research team.

is being an ecologist stressful?

Working with nature and animals is fun and exciting, but the research process can be long and tedious. The role involves long hours performing research experiments to prove a hypothesis.

how do I apply for an ecologist vacancy?

Applying for an ecologist job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here .

ecologist

what is an ecologist?

An ecologist studies the relationships between various ecosystems or components. Your job is to examine the impact of interactions between living and nonliving things in the environment. You also research the effects of actions by ecosystem members on other ecological phenomena like rainfall and temperature shifts or pollution.

Nature is supposed to be self-sustaining and can maintain ecological balance without the help of scientists. However, industrialisation, mining, and population growth shatter the balance, hence the need for ecologists to care for the environment. As an ecologist, you don't just examine the environment; you also try to rectify the imbalances in the ecosystems caused by human interference. For instance, you determine the impact of housing, urbanisation and recreational facilities on the environment.

what does an ecologist do?

As an ecologist, you are involved in conservation programmes and provide scientific expertise to policymakers and the management of major companies. Hence, the role requires intelligent application and interpretation of biological principles to make decisions that benefit the environment. You need exceptional research and interpretation skills to study tiny details and draw accurate conclusions.

Ecologists can serve in various fields related to the environment like agricultural research institutes, nature conservation, national parks and private organisations interested in environmental sustainability.

ecologist vacancies

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average ecologist salary

The average salary of an ecologist ranges from $80,000 to $100,000 per year. The remuneration package of ecologists varies based on personal qualifications and skills. Minimal experience and entry-level positions attract a salary of 80,000 annually, while experienced experts earn $100,000 yearly.

how to increase your salary as an ecologist

As an ecologist, your remuneration package depends on your expertise and qualifications. When you have a postgraduate degree, you are likely to earn more compared to an ecologist with a bachelor's degree. Your expertise allows you to perform complex roles, exponentially increasing your earnings.

Your area of specialisation also affects your earnings. For instance, a marine biologist may earn less than a zoologist or environmental scientist. The company you work for also influences your salary. When you work for a research institution, your remuneration package depends on the size and the funding. A project with an unlimited budget will attract a higher salary than smaller research projects with limited funding.

Want to know what you will earn as an ecologist? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.

ecologist careers

2

types of ecologists

Some of the types of ecologists include:

field ecologist: you collect data and examine living organisms in their natural habitat. By studying their features, you can identify adaptation mechanisms and their role in the ecosystem.
restoration ecologist: your role involves fixing parts of the ecosystem affected negatively by human activities to reduce environmental effects. As a restoration ecologist, you deal with coastal erosion, land clearing and poaching that affect ecological balance.
marine biologist: you spend most of your career studying water creatures and their role in the ecological balance. You also recommend ways to improve their habitat and avoid the extinction of rare marine species.
environmental scientist: as an environmental scientist, you use research to safeguard the environment and its inhabitants. For instance, you study the potential dangers of chemicals to the environment and their long-term effects on human beings. You also assist in cleaning up pollutants and developing ways to reverse the harmful effects of human activities.

3

working as an ecologist

As an ecologist, you participate in various research projects studying and analysing data. Some of the ecologists’ specific duties, responsibilities and work schedules are here.

ecologist job description
Specific duties depend on the field of specialisation, but typical tasks include:
- researching and testing disturbed ecosystems: as an ecologist, you develop a hypothesis on population and ecosystem functions before researching to test the theory's viability. You also conduct field, theoretical and laboratory research to find evidence supporting your claims. Your research efforts improve your understanding of biodiversity and other subject matters related to the environment.
- analysing data and conducting studies: after your research, you organise the data to improve its interpretation from mere verifiable facts to meaningful information that assists decision-making. You are also involved with research studies that uncover unique characteristics of various components of ecosystems over time.
- advising organisations and the government on environmental impacts: studies often reveal underlying causes of behaviours of components of ecosystems. Hence, it is important to communicate your findings to policymakers and government agencies through proposals and journals on ecological remediation. Sometimes, your role involves assessing the environmental damage in a particular region and developing restoration strategies.
- creating habitat management plans: if your job involves restoring the natural environment in parks and conservation areas, you conduct site assessments. Once you ascertain the environmental damage, you create restoration schedules, budgets and habitat management initiatives like tree planting. You also provide technical support to field workers restoring the habitats.
- creating models to illustrate environmental remediation plans: as an ecologist, you develop models to help stakeholders visualise large-scale experimental studies on ecological conservation. You can use quantitative models to transform environmental theories into practical experiments and collect data on the potential impact of ecosystem changes.
work environment

Your work environment depends on your duties and can be indoors and outdoors. When doing field research, you work on land and underwater. The role could involve working in forests, wetlands and water bodies in different weather conditions to study organisms in their natural habitats. Some ecologists work in parks and wildlife conservation areas or visit communities. You may also work in a lab when testing soil samples and conducting other chemical research experiments. Since ecologists are also consultants, your job can involve working in an office setting to attend meetings, speak to policymakers and build computer models to aid research.
who are your colleagues?

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include environmental coordinators, research scientists and resource officers. You might also be working in close proximity to research officers and scientists, as well as other specialists that could include (but not be limited to) zoologists, environmental scientists and biologists.
work schedule

As an ecologist, your work schedule ranges from 39 to 41 hours a week, based on the nature of your work. For instance, your work schedule is consistent between 8 am and 6 pm, with weekends off in an office or lab setting. Since you work full-time, expect overtime schedules, especially for outdoor activities. You work weekends and use evening hours to write reports after spending the day in the field. Part-time opportunities are rare unless you are an ecological consultant. Some ecologists work on a contract basis to complete one study. A career in ecology also involves a lot of travelling for fieldwork.
job outlook

Content writers are in high demand, with companies relying on digital marketing to increase sales and customer engagement. As a content writer, you require various writing skills, from blogging to copywriting and SEO. Some content writers specialise in a specific industry, like law or finance. To progress in your field, you require exceptional skills and qualifications. You can become the marketing or communications manager while other content writers become PR specialists.
advantages of finding an ecologist job through randstad
Finding your ecologist job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as an ecologist is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

4

education and skills

Some of the educational qualifications of an ecologist include:

bachelor’s degree: pursue a bachelor's degree with a science major to become an ecologist. Some major areas of study include biology, environmental science, zoology and marine biology. Prerequisites for joining the bachelor's degree include completing Year 12 with mandatory biology, physics, chemistry and mathematics units. Consider completing a postgraduate study, such as a master’s in science.
join a professional association and gain experience: to become a successful ecologist, join a professional association, such as the Ecological Society of Australia. You can also join a professional association while studying.

ecologist skills and competencies

Some of the skills of an ecologist include the following:

interest or passion for nature: your job focuses on improving the quality of the environment people live in and their interactions with nature. You should love and care for nature to understand the interdependence of various ecosystem components.
analytical skills: an ecologist conducts various tests and field research to determine the cause of environmental problems and potential solutions. You need analytical skills to improve your decisions. Analytical skills help you collect data and evaluate various environmental issues.
technical skills: you spend hours on your computer carrying out multiple tasks, and having computer skills to perform various functions is crucial. Technical skills also help you with model drawing using computer-aided design and statistical analysis that requires complex statistical methods.
communication skills: as an ecologist, communication skills help you explain findings to your colleagues. You explain restoration plans to stakeholders and field teams undertaking restoration projects. Communication skills can also help you write reports and journals.

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FAQs about working as an ecologist

Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of an ecologist.

how much does an ecologist make in Australia?

As an ecologist, you earn an average salary of $90,000 annually, with entry-level ecologists taking home $80,000 yearly. With additional qualifications and experience, you will likely earn over $100,000 per year. Your area of specialisation influences your earnings as an ecologist.
are ecologists in high demand?

While the projected job growth of ecologists is declining, Australia still has a high demand for ecologists and environmental scientists. With the world concerned about climate change and its implications, environmental scientists and ecologists play a major role.
what are the duties of an ecologist?

As an ecologist, you study living organisms and the environment. You perform fieldwork to gather data for analysis and use the information gathered for environmental restoration. You work with other professionals to develop green technology practices and processes. You also develop models to investigate the effects of changes in the ecosystem.
how do I become an ecologist in Australia?

To become an ecologist in Australia, you require educational qualifications like a bachelor’s degree in a relevant science field like environmental science and biology. You also require postgraduate qualifications to become part of a research team.
is being an ecologist stressful?

Working with nature and animals is fun and exciting, but the research process can be long and tedious. The role involves long hours performing research experiments to prove a hypothesis.
how do I apply for an ecologist vacancy?

Applying for an ecologist job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.

ecologist.