Freshwater ecologist

By PHILIPPA STEVENSON

Name: Angela Murray

Job title: freshwater ecologist

Age: 30

Working hours: 40-hour week, plus overtime

Employer: Conservation Department; regional councils; Ministry of Fisheries; Landcare Research; National Institute for Water and Atmosphere; Cawthron Institute; universities

Pay: Depending on qualifications starts at $30-40,000 rising to $40-50,000

Qualifications needed: A minimum of Bachelor of Science, Master of Science specialising in freshwater ecology

Career prospects: Working for DoC or other government agencies such as biosecurity, researcher, policy analyst, regional councils, consultancy, overseas particularly in Southeast Asia and South America

What do you do?

I'm based in the conservancy office as the middle person with the overview of work being done in the field. I give technical advice and advise on best practice. I have the luxury of keeping up with research and feed that to the field workers. I keep up with DoC strategy and the national direction. I'm a conduit between senior management and field staff. I have no typical day whatsoever. This time of the year we are surveying for native species, doing site visits, resource management and a lot of reporting up the line to management. I do business planning - what we are going to achieve in the next financial year. I handle inquiries from the public - for instance, how to get rid of koi carp and re-introduce fish to ponds. I comment on resource management applications, issue permits to researchers collecting fish and invertebrates.

Why did you choose this job?

I stumbled across it. I left school wanting to be an artist but spent a year working as an accountant's assistant to get an idea of what was out there. I needed a bit of a challenge. I went to polytech to do sixth-form chemistry and horticulture. I did a Bachelor of Science majoring in zoology and environmental science at Massey. In my third year I developed an interest in entomology and freshwater ecology. I then went overseas for three years but had lots of encouragement from my supervisor to do post-grad work and returned four years ago to do a Masters of Science in freshwater ecology. I did field work in Nelson on identifying bugs but this job came up and it seemed the perfect opportunity to use my skills and learn a lot. This job is about fish not bugs.

Why is the job important?

It's contributing to the conservation of freshwater systems. A lot of work has been directed at terrestrial systems and birds but there is more recognition of threats to native freshwater species and the impact of introduced species such as koi carp. I find it exciting. There are 13 freshwater Doc ecologists and we co-ordinate conservation of our threatened species.

What is the best part of the job?

I work with a neat team of people who are passionate and dedicated. I go to lots of beautiful spots and get paid for it, though 70 per cent of the time I'm in the office. It's challenging but satisfying.

What is the worst part?

Being new and not having experience to call on when making decisions. But it's challenging to bring my skills up to speed.

What are your strengths?

I don't have a lot of biology experience so my strength has been to bring a fresh approach to things, setting processes in place and working more strategically, for example, in dealing with koi carp, our key issue in the Waikato. And improving relations with agencies such as Environment Waikato, Fish and Game and NIWA.

What are your weaknesses?

Experience. It takes a long time just to understand DoC structure and vision and find where you can best add value. Giving expert advice in court is daunting.

Where would you like to be five years from now?

I'd like to stay in this position to get a good grounding. I may look at policy but there's enough work here for the next 20 years.

What would you tell others?

Try lots of things. Do volunteer work with DoC. It will get your name out there, show your capabilities and that you're keen and eager. Go to conferences as a student to get to know people in the industry.