This example is for ecologists and naturalists working at environmental consultancies, national parks, nature conservation organisations, public offices and research institutes, and for graduates in biology, environmental protection and ecology.
The employer wants to know which field surveys you carry out, which groups of organisms you identify, which documents you write and whether you know GIS. We show you how to describe this on your CV.
Ecologist with 7 years of experience at an environmental consultancy and a nature conservation organisation. I carry out bird and habitat surveys, monitoring of protected species and GIS analyses. I prepare the ecology sections of environmental impact reports for road and energy projects.
Work experience
Nature conservation specialist
04.2020 - present
Environmental consultancy, Bialystok
Bird and habitat surveys for about 10 projects a year.
Ecology sections of environmental impact reports.
Post-construction monitoring of protected species at wind farms.
Maps and spatial analyses in QGIS.
Contact with developers and the regional environmental protection directorate.
Nature conservation project coordinator
03.2017 - 03.2020
Nature conservation organisation, Bialowieza
Coordinating an active conservation project for meadows and bird habitats.
Environmental education for schools and local residents.
Reports for funders.
Education
Master's degree, biology, ecology and nature conservation specialism
2011 - 2016
University of Bialystok
Skills
Ecological surveys
Bird and habitat identification
Species monitoring
QGIS and spatial analysis
Environmental reports
Environmental education
Courses and licences
QGIS for naturalists course, 2019
Environmental impact assessment training, 2021
Driving licence, category B
Languages
English: B2
Additional information
Fieldwork from dawn, also at weekends in the season
I hereby consent to the processing of my personal data for the purposes necessary to carry out the recruitment process, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 (GDPR).
How to write an ecologist CV
Professional summary
Write which surveys you carry out, which groups of organisms you identify and which documents you prepare. Add GIS and a driving licence, because they are needed in this work almost always. If you specialise in one group, for example birds or bats, say so directly.
Environmental protection graduate with experience as a volunteer in bird counts and nature camps. I identify common birds and plants and know the basics of QGIS. I want to work on surveys at a consultancy.
Experience: duties and achievements
Describe the types of surveys, groups of organisms, the number of projects and documents. Show who you work with: developers, public offices, scientists. At conservation organisations add projects, grants and education.
Weaker: Fieldwork.
Better: Bird and habitat surveys for about 10 projects a year.
Weaker: Writing reports.
Better: Ecology sections of environmental impact reports.
Weaker: Maps.
Better: Maps and spatial analyses in QGIS.
Skills worth listing
List survey methods, groups of organisms, software and types of documents. In your soft skills show stamina in the field and accuracy, because survey data is the basis for decisions on projects.
Professional skills
Surveys
Species identification
Monitoring
GIS
Environmental reports
Environmental education
Personal skills
Stamina in the field
Accuracy
Independence
Communication
Teamwork
Courses and licences
List courses in GIS, environmental impact assessment and species identification. Add a driving licence and permits to survey protected species if you have them.
Ecologist CV with no experience
Describe volunteering in bird counts, nature camps, a student research club and your master's thesis. Write which groups of organisms you identify.
Add a driving licence and the basics of GIS. Consultancies look for field assistants in the season, which is a good start.
Tailoring your CV to the job offer
A consultancy looks for surveys and environmental reports, a national park for monitoring and active conservation, and a non-governmental organisation for projects and environmental education. Move to the top what the job ad is about.
The most common mistakes on an ecologist CV
No groups of organisms you identify.
Leaving out GIS.
A general "environmental protection" with no surveys or documents.
No number of projects or surveys.
No driving licence, if you have one.
A CV longer than two pages.
Questions and answers
What should an ecologist put on a CV?
Types of surveys, groups of organisms, the number of projects, reports, GIS, courses, a driving licence and availability in the season.
Does an ecologist need to know GIS?
Almost always, yes. Maps and spatial analyses are part of every survey and report.
Can you become an ecologist with no experience?
Yes. On your CV show volunteering, nature camps, your master's thesis and species identification.
How does an ecologist differ from an environmental specialist?
An ecologist more often deals with nature and species, while an environmental specialist also deals with emissions, waste and permits.
Create an ecologist CV in the builder
In the CV Majster builder you enter your details step by step and see right away what the document looks like. You can copy the wording from this page and adapt it to yourself. The finished CV as a PDF costs a one-off PLN 5, with no subscription, and you see the preview before you pay.