Along the way I tried out a few different jobs, such as working on a farm, as a land manager and generalized environmental scientist, and I finally had an opportunity to take on more responsibility and teach others how to do the job that I've come to enjoy as a wetland scientist.
What are some typical day-to-day responsibilities you have, or decisions you make?
Senior level consulting positions have a large management component. I spend a lot of time reviewing other staff members' projects, calling and emailing with agencies that regulate natural resources, and thinking about how much time, effort and money will need to go into each project my company takes on. I also still travel around and map the locations of wetlands and streams, describe them and provide reports to clients, landowners and regulators. Big decisions for me include cost estimates (I'm occasionally in charge of projects that cost people hundreds of thousands of dollars), whether natural resources are regulated based on environmental law, and how to make sure that my team feels fulfilled and is kept busy while still having enough time outside of work to enjoy their personal lives.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love teaching people about various aspects of our job on a daily basis, and I really enjoy seeing interesting places that very few other people have access to when we are conducting field surveys. You see so many amazing things just by spending time outdoors and I always appreciate seeing a certain type of plant or animal for the first time in the wild.
