Environmental trainee jobs are often open to those who are finishing up an environmental degree, or who have recently graduated. They typically provide steady, full-time employment at a lower pay scale than more senior positions, but offer excellent experience as well as opportunities for advancement. There are a number of different environmental trainee jobs in different fields for those who qualify, from science-based jobs, to policy or land management positions. In some regions of the world, the most common environmental trainee positions are those in the government, such as in agencies designed to monitor and enforce environmental laws and policies; in other regions private companies or non-profits may take the lead.
Similar to an internship, environmental trainee jobs allow qualified individuals to increase their skills and experience, earn some money, and begin planning the rest of their careers in the environmental field. Environmental and conservation work offer many different opportunities for trainee jobs because there is so much to learn and also just because of the nature of the work. Research and analysis, for example, frequently requires a great deal of man hours for which an environmental trainee is perfectly suited. In addition, there are thousands of environmental organizations, from nonprofits to government agencies, that are often more than willing to train people who are willing to learn.
In many areas of the world, government agencies are some of the most common sources of environmental trainee jobs. These positions may be offered to individuals who are capable of passing a test to assess their skills, generally based on their college education. The trainee may then work in the entry-level position for six months or a year, depending on the needs of the agency, before becoming eligible for a promotion into a more advanced position. Government positions are often beneficial because they frequently pair trainees with expert employees; for example, a forestry technician in a training position might work daily with an experienced forester to increase his or her knowledge.
Other environmental trainee jobs may be found with nonprofit organizations or with companies doing environmental work. Larger companies may be less likely to hire trainees, but nonprofits often find that it is well worth the investment, because they do not need to pay trainees very much. For those looking to gain experience, however, there are few better options than nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits exist for virtually every type of environmental issue, from ongoing scientific research and analysis, to wildlife conservation, environmental advocacy, as well as natural resource management and land-use planning.