Environmental Monitoring Officer

An Environmental Monitoring Officer is like a detective for the planet, especially in the UK! Their main job is to check and measure how healthy our environment is. This means going out into the field to collect samples of water from rivers, air from different locations, or soil from various sites. They use special equipment to test these samples for pollution or other changes that might be happening. For example, they might look for chemicals in a river to make sure it's safe for fish and people, or monitor air quality near factories to ensure it meets safety standards. They also keep detailed records of their findings and often write reports about what they discover. This career involves a mix of outdoor work and time in a laboratory. One day you might be out in the countryside, wearing waterproofs and wellies, taking readings or samples. The next, you could be back in an office or lab, analysing data, running tests, or writing up your results. It's a really important job because the information they gather helps local councils, government agencies, and companies make decisions to protect our environment, improve public health, and ensure that new buildings or projects dont harm nature. You need to be curious, good at science, and enjoy working both independently and as part of a team.