Natural Capital / Nature Positive Officer Career Profile

What the role involves

Natural Capital / Nature Positive Officers may help collect data, coordinate biodiversity projects, support nature-related reporting, engage stakeholders, map assets, monitor ecological outcomes or contribute to strategy and policy work.

The role can sit between ecology, sustainability, environmental economics, land management, ESG reporting and corporate strategy.

Typical employers

Roles in Australia may be found with:

• environmental consultancies
• sustainability and ESG teams
• conservation organisations
• natural resource management groups
• government biodiversity and environment agencies
• agriculture, forestry and land management organisations
• banks, investors and corporates assessing nature-related risk
• research and policy organisations

Key tasks

• supporting biodiversity, nature or natural capital projects
• collecting and organising ecological, land or ecosystem service data
• helping prepare nature-related reports and strategies
• working with ecologists, land managers, economists and sustainability teams
• supporting mapping, monitoring and field data processes
• researching nature-positive frameworks, policy and market developments
• tracking actions to reduce impacts and improve biodiversity outcomes
• engaging landholders, Traditional Owners, communities or internal teams
• assisting with grant, project and reporting documentation

Skills and qualities

This role suits people with a mix of practical, technical and communication skills. Useful qualities include:

• interest in biodiversity, ecology and sustainability
• ability to work with data, maps and reports
• clear writing and research skills
• systems thinking and curiosity about ecosystem services
• stakeholder engagement and collaboration
• attention to evidence and environmental claims
• understanding of land management, conservation or reporting concepts
• willingness to learn emerging nature-related frameworks

Qualifications and pathways

This emerging area draws on ecology, environmental science, sustainability, natural resource management, economics and reporting. Useful options may include:

• Diploma or degree in ecology, environmental science, biodiversity, natural resource management, sustainability or environmental economics
• training in biodiversity assessment, natural capital, nature-related reporting, GIS or ecological monitoring
• experience in conservation, land management, reporting, environmental data, ESG or sustainability programs
• field ecology, GIS and stakeholder engagement experience can be highly valuable

With experience, Natural Capital / Nature Positive Officers may progress into Biodiversity Officer, Nature Positive Advisor, ESG Analyst, Sustainability Consultant, Environmental Economist, Conservation Manager or Natural Resource Manager roles.

Salary and job outlook

Salary varies because the field is still emerging and roles may sit in consulting, government, finance, conservation or corporate sustainability. Current job ads are the best guide.

Where jobs are usually found in Australia

Roles are found in consultancies, conservation organisations, government agencies, corporate sustainability teams, financial services and land-management organisations. Some roles are city-based while others involve regional projects and fieldwork.

Tips for getting started

• build strong biodiversity and ecology knowledge
• learn GIS, mapping and data management basics
• follow Australian nature-positive and biodiversity policy developments
• gain field experience in ecology, landcare, bush regeneration or conservation
• develop reporting and stakeholder engagement skills
• be careful and evidence-based when making nature-positive claims

Related environmental careers

• Biodiversity Officer
• Ecologist
• Natural Resource Manager
• Sustainability Consultant
• ESG Analyst
• Climate Risk Analyst
• Conservation Officer
• Environmental Economist