Environmental Improvement Manager
North East Lincolnshire County Council

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Nathan V

00:00:03 My name’s Nathan V, I’m an Environmental Improvement Manager at North East Lincolnshire Council. I lead on the council’s climate change agenda so that’s looking at what the impact is of the council on climate change, what the council can do reduce that impact across the vast range of services that the council has. I wouldn’t necessarily class myself as an eco warrior, I don’t think that I necessarily look like an eco warrior. But that’s essentially what it involves.

00:00:33 My background’s engineering. At school it was something that I liked doing was some of the sciences. It was very much a teacher at the time that took me to one side and said, “You’re probably quite good at this, I think this the direction that you should probably go on.”

00:00:51 Once I got my A Level results they weren’t as good as I’d hoped for. I felt quite disappointed at that, really. The decision to make then was, well, which way do I go? Would I go to my first place university or would I not bother and just find a job and then start along that path? It was certainly one of the major decisions that I’ve faced.

00:01:13 So, once I got my A Levels I went to university to study manufacturing engineering and that was a thick sandwich course. So, after two years I did a year out within industry, if you like, to gain work experience. Before then returning to university to do my final year.

00:01:34 Within that year out I got a job with Philips Electronics within the manufacturing sector. Once I graduated they offered me a position actually with them for doing environmental management.

00:01:47 I kind of had an aspiration of going into consultancy at the time. That was where a lot of careers seemed to take off, there was kind of a lot of money in that as well, at the time. So, I moved deliberately from working where I was to going into the public sector.

00:02:07 In terms of my working life it’s kind of pretty hectic at the moment. I think the rewards are there for the people that want to do it. I certainly find myself having to make sure I keep myself in check to make sure that work doesn’t get the better of you. It can be quite stressful within a Local Authority. Outside of work I do a number of different things. I quite like running, that’s certainly something that I do to kind of burn off a bit of steam, really, and I know it’s quite trendy at the moment but I’ve got a vegetable patch as well. So, sort of certainly growing your own vegetables and getting some form of delight from that, as well.

00:02:52 Certainly some of the teachers at my school kind of inspiring in their own way in the way that they would relate to me or talk to me, give me certain opportunities to do things like out of school events and what have you. Certain managers this as well I’ve been fortunate to work with some people that have given me their time, passed on some of the knowledge that they’ve learnt in their own careers.

00:03:20 The dream job for me at the moment would be towards the top of an organisation whether it be a director or a chief executive level. It’s something that I think inspires me really and what I’ve come to recognise is that if you’re wanting to bring about a change in a particular direction, you often need the authority to be able to do that.

ENDS

Nathan V is an Envirionmental Improvement Manager at North East Lincolnshire County Council, preparing for the impact of climate change on the council’s services. “I wouldn’t necessarily class myself as an eco warrior, I don’t think that I necessarily look like an eco warrior. But that’s essentially what it involves… The dream job for me at the moment would be towards the top of an organisation whether it be a director or a chief executive level. It’s something that I think inspires me really and what I’ve come to recognise is that if you’re wanting to bring about a change in a particular direction, you often need the authority to be able to do that.”

More information about Conservation and environmental associate professionals

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£24,440
average salary

The UK average salary is £29,813

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36
average weekly hours

There are 37.5 hours in the average working week

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82%  male 
18%  female 

The UK workforce is 47% female and 53% male

Future employment

Future employment?

Description
? Conservation and environmental associate professionals are responsible for the day-to-day running and management of areas of the countryside and the wider environment in a way that reconciles the interests of conservation, land owners and the public. They carry out practical conservation activities and assist in promoting awareness of the natural environment.
Qualifications
Entrants typically possess a relevant BTEC/SQA award or similar qualification and have prior related experience, often as a volunteer. Apprenticeships and NVQs/SVQs in relevant subjects at Levels 2 and 3 are available.
Tasks
  • Assists with ecological surveys to identify plant and animal species, map their habitat and draw up conservation plans;
  • Implements schemes for the management and protection of natural habitats;
  • Assists with environmental audits and impact assessments;
  • Organises and supervises conservation projects and the work of part-time and voluntary staff;
  • Provides information and education to the public through setting up displays, writing leaflets and making presentations;
  • Organises guided walks and answers questions from the public about an area and its wildlife;
  • Works with the emergency services in instances of fire, flood, injury or mountain rescue.
Employment by region
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Top 10 industries for this job
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Sport & recreation 3899
Libraries, etc 1916
Agriculture, etc 1759
Employment status
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