Environmentalist - Arin Mills
Field: Environmental Conservation
Job Title: Environmentalist II
Place of Employment: N.H.
Army National Guard, Concord, New Hampshire
What is your current job and what does it entail?
I am a Conservation Specialist for the N.H.
Army National Guard. We work to ensure that land throughout the state used
by the National Guard is in environmental compliance with state and federal regulations.
We also train soldiers on a variety of environmental issues concerning the sites.
In your day-to-day activities, who are the people that you interact
with regularly (e.g., foresters, engineers, etc)?
I work with other environmentalists with expertise in a variety of other environmental
program areas, such as air and water quality, pest management, and hazardous
waste. I also work with National Guard soldiers, as well as other state and federal
agencies (i.e. N.H. Fish and Game
Department, N.H. Department of Environmental
Services, Natural Heritage Bureau, N.H. National Guard Bureau).
For your position, what skills do you need in geospatial technologies?
I collect various geospatial data using a GPS unit. I also make a variety
of maps for reports using Arc
Map 9.x and frequently convert CAD and
survey data to GIS for these maps. We also submit portions of our data to the
federal government which requires the data in SDSFIE (Spatial
Data Standards for Facilities, Infrastructure, and Environment) format.
For your position, what skills outside of geospatial technologies are
required?
I also need many of my environmental skills I learned while in college. Skills
in public speaking and effective communication skills are also helpful. My position
requires me to write various reports, therefore my writing skills are frequently
called upon.
What was the key factor in your career decision?
I chose this position because of its great integration of geospatial technologies
with the environment. I enjoy collecting real life field data on the environment
and having the ability to analyze it and make decisions using the GIS software.
Another important factor was the benefits a state job offers.
What do you like most about your career?
I enjoy the field and the real-life component of my job. I enjoy getting outside
in the environment and collecting real information. I also enjoy talking with
and educating others on environmental areas I am knowledgeable in.
What do you like least about your career?
I dislike getting tied down in report writing and following federal guidelines.
The reports I write are lengthy and require very specific information contained
in a very particular format. Regulations are hard to read and hard to follow
and comply with.
What do you do to relax?
I enjoy kayaking, walking in the woods and spending time with my daughter.
Who are your heroes/heroines?
I look up to others who can balance a full time career and a quality family
life.
What advice would you give a high school student who expressed an interest
in pursuing a career in your field?
I would advise any student to get as many internships and "real life" experiences
as possible. You don’t really know what a career entails until you see
and experience it first hand. Also, talk with as many working professionals in
the career path as possible; they will all help you find and attain a job after
schooling. The work world is a competitive place. Do as much as you can to improve
your resume with education and experience.
Are career opportunities in your field increasing or decreasing and
why?
I believe opportunities are increasing in my field due to the need for more
and stricter environmental regulations. The geospatial component of my job is
also becoming more of a demand as the technology develops. I believe geospatial
technologies will continue to develop and become more specialized to cater to
the many disciplines that use it, including environmental. I believe knowledge
of both environmental conservation and GIS is very important when building
a career in my field.
E-mail: arin.mills@nh.ngb.army.mil
Salary Range: $25-40,000
Degree |
Major |
Institution |
B.S. |
Environmental Science |
University of New Hampshire |
|