Environmental Risk Analyst Career Profile

What the role involves

Environmental Risk Analysts examine the likelihood and consequences of environmental risks, then help organisations decide how to avoid, reduce, monitor or manage those risks. The work may involve risk registers, environmental management systems, compliance reviews, climate risk assessments, site data, reports, audits and stakeholder input.

Some roles are technical and site-based, while others are office-based and focused on reporting, governance, corporate risk, ESG, climate risk, insurance, planning or project approvals.

Typical employers

Environmental Risk Analyst roles in Australia may be found with:

• environmental and sustainability consultancies
• infrastructure, construction and engineering companies
• mining, energy, water and utilities organisations
• government agencies and regulators
• local councils and regional organisations
• banks, insurers and corporate risk teams
• ESG, climate risk and sustainability reporting teams
• large organisations with environmental management or compliance obligations

Key tasks

• identify environmental risks connected to projects, sites, assets or operations
• assess likelihood, consequence, controls and residual risk
• maintain risk registers, dashboards, spreadsheets or reporting systems
• support environmental audits, compliance reviews or management system work
• review data on climate hazards, contamination, water, biodiversity, waste or pollution risks
• prepare reports, briefing notes, risk summaries or recommendations
• work with environmental specialists, engineers, planners, project managers or corporate risk teams
• support climate risk, ESG, insurance, resilience or adaptation planning where relevant
• help track actions that reduce or manage environmental risk

Skills and qualities

Environmental risk work suits people who are analytical, careful and able to connect environmental issues with business, project and regulatory decisions. Useful skills and qualities include:

• analytical thinking and attention to detail
• understanding of environmental management, compliance or sustainability
• ability to work with data, risk matrices, spreadsheets and reports
• clear written communication and briefing skills
• sound judgement when comparing likelihood, consequence and controls
• confidence working with technical specialists and non-technical decision makers
• understanding of climate, pollution, biodiversity, water or land-use risks
• professional curiosity and willingness to keep up with changing standards and regulations

Qualifications and pathways

Environmental Risk Analyst roles can be entered from environmental science, environmental management, sustainability, risk management, planning, engineering, business, finance or data analysis backgrounds. Useful study options and pathways may include:

• Diploma or degree in environmental management, environmental science, sustainability, risk management, planning, engineering, business or data analysis
• short courses in risk assessment, environmental auditing, climate risk, ESG, compliance or environmental management systems
• experience with data analysis, reporting, environmental management systems, project risk registers or compliance documentation
• training in climate risk, environmental law, ISO 14001, auditing, GIS or corporate sustainability can be useful

Environmental Risk Analysts may progress into Climate Risk Analyst, Environmental Compliance Officer, ESG Analyst, Sustainability Consultant, Environmental Manager, Risk Manager or Environmental Auditor roles.

Salary and job outlook

Environmental Risk Analyst salaries can vary depending on the employer, location, sector, seniority and whether the role is focused on site-based environmental risk, compliance, corporate risk, climate risk, ESG, insurance, finance or infrastructure. Roles that involve modelling, regulatory reporting, audit, consulting, climate disclosure or senior stakeholder advice may attract higher pay.

Where jobs are usually found in Australia

Jobs are found in capital cities, regional project offices and site-based operations across Australia. Demand may come from infrastructure, construction, mining, energy, utilities, consulting, government, finance, insurance, climate adaptation and corporate sustainability teams.

Tips for getting started

• build strong environmental management and compliance knowledge
• learn how risk matrices, controls, likelihood and consequence ratings work
• develop spreadsheet, reporting and data interpretation skills
• gain experience in environmental audits, site inspections, monitoring or compliance documentation
• follow developments in climate risk, ESG reporting and environmental regulation
• keep examples of risk registers, reports, dashboards, audits or improvement actions you have worked on

Related environmental careers

• Climate Risk Analyst
• Environmental Compliance Officer
• Environmental Auditor
• ESG Analyst
• Sustainability Consultant
• Environmental Consultant
• Environmental Manager
• Environmental Monitoring Technician