Natural resources consultant
Also known as: natural resources expert, natural resources specialist, resources consultant, natural resource consultant, natural resources adviser
About this occupation
Natural resources consultant provide advice on the protection and management of natural resources, namely fauna, flora, soil and water to companies and governments which exploit these resources. They strive to guide companies on an appropriate policy for exploiting natural resources in industrial contexts, raise awareness on health issues, and ensure the conservation of ecosystems for sustainable interventions in natural habitats.
Essential skills and knowledge
- ensure compliance with environmental legislation
- assess environmental impact
- conduct ecological research
- analyse ecological data
- advise on nature conservation
- conduct environmental site assessments
- environmental policy
- conserve natural resources
- natural areas maintenance
- develop environmental policy
- monitor nature conservation
- advise on environmental remediation
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Natural Sciences Managers (O*NET 11-9121.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
- Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
- Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
- Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.
- Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.
- Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Investigative, Enterprising, Conventional
Top skills: Science, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Writing
US median pay: US$167,220 a year (2025), 108,690 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (4.0)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.0)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (3.8)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.7)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryVery important (3.5)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.5)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Project Management Specialists
- Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
- Data Scientists
- Biological Technicians
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists
- Biologists
- Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Clinical Research Coordinators
- Bioinformatics Scientists
- Water Resource Specialists
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.