What Is An Ecologist, And How Can You Become One? – Forbes Advisor – Technologist

If you’re looking for a job that brings your love of the environment into a purpose-filled career, you might consider becoming an ecologist.

As an ecologist, you’re not limited to working as an outdoor park ranger picking up litter. Ecologists perform diverse tasks and can work in a variety of settings. Their responsibilities might include:

• Researching water samples in a lab to examine the environmental impact of a new development
• Working as part of a team to plan for city growth while balancing natural areas
• Restoring a native wildlife habitat to help preserve a particular animal species
• Supporting a national park
• Teaching the next generation how to leave the environment better than they found it

Ecologists often wear many hats, and their career trajectories are not always clear-cut. But if you’re wondering how to become an ecologist, we’ve pulled together the key required steps below.

What Do Ecologists Do?

Ecologists are environmental scientists who study how the environment functions and how humans interact with the environment to plan for the future.

Ecologists make plans to improve the relationship between the environment and humans. They may advise organizations on their environmental impacts, conserve resources, stop damage to the environment and anticipate human impact.

Ecologist Job Titles

The ecology field has many specialties, including marine, vegetation, agriculture and forestry. As an ecologist, you can work for the government, private companies, museums and nonprofits.

Here are some common jobs you can do with an ecology or environmental science degree:

Ecology Job Responsibilities

Ecologists’ job responsibilities can vary but may include those listed below.

• Environmental surveys: Working with organizations to examine how humans affect ecosystems by taking water and soil samples and collecting other data
• Animal and plant habitat studies: Evaluating ways to preserve habitats by understanding human impact and how scientists can improve natural areas
• River and wetland restoration: Cleaning and restoring areas to help water flow better in rivers, creeks and wetlands
• Invasive species: Mapping and tracking invasive species to protect local wildlife
• Plan new infrastructure: Anticipating and managing the environmental impacts of large-scale infrastructure projects
• Conservation plan: Creating plans to conserve environmental species as humans build and hunt on the surrounding land
• Compile environmental reports: Used for research for government, academia, companies and other organizations
• Field research: Working with organizations to develop policies

Like many other academics, ecologists are often expected to teach, conduct research and manage more junior ecologists.

How To Become an Ecologist

The steps involved in this career path can vary, but we’ve laid out the most common path to becoming an ecologist below.

Step One: Earn Your Degree

The level of education you’ll need as an ecologist will depend on your specific career aspirations. Here’s a rundown of what you can do with various levels of education.

• Bachelor’s degree: With a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, ecology or a related field, you can assist with fieldwork and in laboratories. Usually, your course load consists of classes in conservation science, chemistry, animal science and policy.
• Master’s degree: Most leadership positions in the field require a master’s degree. You might consider a master’s in environmental science, conservation science, public policy, ecology or conservation biology.
• Doctorate: Those pursuing careers in academia and high-level positions in research or consulting should earn a Ph.D. in ecology or a related field.

Many people gain work experience before pursuing advanced degrees in ecology.

Step Two: Gain Work Experience

It’s time to build your practical skills in the field. Get work experience through research, labs, data, conservation and fieldwork. You can gain work experience while pursuing a degree; many universities offer work-study programs and internships. Hands-on experience can help you choose an area of specialization for your career.

Step Three: Obtain Professional Licenses

Earn licensure related to your specialization within ecology. The field has many licenses and certifications to choose from; for example, if you work in rebuilding and restoring habitats, you may consider the Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP) credential.

Step Four: Consider Professional Certification

Professional certification, memberships and advanced degrees can help you become a recognized leader in your field and give you an edge in the job market. We’ll discuss specific certification options in a later section.

Ecologist Salary and Job Outlook

The median annual pay for an ecologist is $76,480, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)—significantly higher than the national median of $46,310 per year. And the BLS projects a 6% growth in employment for these professionals between 2022 and 2032, which is twice as fast as the projected growth rate for all occupations nationwide.

Certifications for Ecologists

The ecology field offers many certifications for professionals with various specializations. We’ll discuss several below.

Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)

If you’re active in the field and want to work on conservation and rebuilding habitats, consider the CHMM credential. Here’s how to earn this certification:

• Fill out an application
• Submit a transcript demonstrating a completed degree from an accredited college
• Submit employment verification demonstrating four years of work experience with hazardous materials, planning for hazardous materials, sampling or site remediation
• Pass an exam
• Pay a $695 fee

Ecological Society of America Certifications

The Ecological Society of America (ESA) provides several certification levels to verify ecology professionals’ knowledge and skills. Offerings include:

• Ecologist in training (requires at least a bachelor’s degree)
• Associate ecologist (bachelor’s degree plus one year of professional experience)
• Ecologist (bachelor’s degree plus five years of experience or graduate degree plus two years of experience)
• Senior ecologist (bachelor’s degree plus 10 years of experience or doctoral degree plus five years of experience)
• Emeritus (for certified ecologists and senior ecologists who have maintained certification for at least 10 years and are no longer working full time)

ESA membership dues start at $75.

Professional Organizations for Ecologists

Professional organizations can help you stay more connected to others in your field and provide access to continued education opportunities. Here are some of the top professional organizations for ecologists.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Ecologists