tips on becoming a town planning consultant...

Should I Become an Environmental Consultant?

Environmental consultants are earth scientists who assist in the creation, analysis and enforcement of government policies designed to protect the environment from industrial hazards. They typically work for government agencies or consulting firms, monitoring and inspecting work sites to assure compliance with local health and safety standards.

Daily work in this profession is usually done in an office or lab, with occasional work in the field. Field work can be physically demanding, and require working in all weather conditions. Work days can be long, with occasional odd hours. Traveling may be required for meetings or presentations.

Career Requirements

Degree Level	Bachelor's degree is standard, though some employers seek consultants with master's degrees
Degree Field	Environmental science or a related field
Experience	2-5 years of related experience
Certification	Voluntary certification is available
Key Skills	Critical thinking, written and verbal communication, complex problem solving, coordination, judgment and decision making, active learning, analytic computer skills, mapping, database software, familiarity with field equipment, soil and water sampling
Salary	$66,250 per year (median salary for all environmental scientists and specialists, 2014)

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Job postings by employers (November 2012), American Council for Accredited Certification, O*NET OnLine

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

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Environmental consultants work with private companies and government agencies to identify problems in the environment and create solutions. A degree in environmental science, a field that examines environmental systems and problems, is particularly applicable for this field. Other potentially relevant degrees include biology, geology and chemistry. A degree program in environmental science typically includes class work in such courses as ecology, environmental remediation, environmental law, toxicology, chemistry, geology and biology.

Success Tip:

• Take part in an internship program. An aspiring environmental scientist who participates in an internship with an environmental consulting firm during undergraduate study may have an advantage over other candidates when pursuing job opportunities. Duties and responsibilities of interns may include conducting research, organizing projects, assisting in presentations and participating in laboratory work.

Step 2: Complete Graduate Studies

hile a bachelor's degree is sufficient for some environmental consulting positions, some employers prefer that applicants have a master's degree. At the master's level, environmental science degree programs may allow potential consultants to tailor their education to issues in which they're most interested.

Step 3: Gain Work Experience

For positions in this field, employers look for applicants with up to five years of work experience. An aspiring environmental consultant may find it helpful to begin this career by accepting an entry-level position in a relevant field. Positions such as research assistant, technician and field analyst can provide individuals with experience in data collection, analysis and processing. Occasionally, consulting firms may consider hiring entry-level employees who have achieved an advanced enough level of education.

Step 4: Consider Earning Certification

There are a number of organizations that offer certifications in environmental science, including universities, consulting firms and the American Council for Accredited Certification. It may be necessary to research both the needs of a particular employer and state requirements in order to determine which certification will be most useful in any given situation.

Step 5: Advance Your Career

Environmental consultants with experience working in the field can advance their career by moving up to the position of project manager. Beyond that, they can become a director, overseeing the project managers and working directly with the clients. An experienced environmental consultant with good client connections may also choose to start their own firm.

NITP Presidents Talking Points

 TALKING POINT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF TOWN PLANNERS (NITP) TPL LUKA ACHI (fnitp) ON THE OCCASION OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE IMPERATIVES FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE 2018 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS ON TUESDAY, 17TH NOVEMBER 2016 AT BAWA BWARI HOUSE, MICHEAL OKPARA ROAD, WUSE, ABUJA.

The National President of the Institute Tpl Luka Achi (fnitp)at a press conference held on Tuesday, 17th November 2016 at NITP Bawa Bwari House, Abuja argued for the imperative of conducting the 2018 census and posited as follows;
1. Population size, composition and geographical distribution have decisive impart on the comprehensive planning of the physical and social development of human settlement (cities, town and village) in terms of facilities, services and utilities.
2. The availability of accurate, reliable and acceptable census is therefore crucial to effective urban and regional planning. It allows for evidence based planning of infrastructures and facilities.
3. The Institute notes with concern that inspite of the rapid changes in the population size and characteristics, Nigeria does not have current demographic data set for planning purposes. The last census was conducted in 2006 and Nigeria has undergone substantial demographic changes since then. Continuous reliance on the 2006 census data for planning purpose is not consistent with current realities.
4. The continuous reliance on projection of Nigeria's population by the world bank and other international agencies is not consistent with the imperative of purposeful planning for development. A national census should be the major and official source of population of the country.
5. The Institute therefore calls on the Federal Government to expedite action toward the conduct of the next population and housing census not later than 2018. Further delay in the conduct of the next census will compound our efforts towards the use of authentic and current population data for planning.
6. The Institute calls on the Federal Government to give the Nation Population Commission the approval and necessary resources for the conduct of the 2018 Census in terms of adequate and timely release of fund.
7. Specifically, NITP wish to lend its voice and support to the resolution of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of 15th October 2016 calling on President Muhammedu Buhari to make the proclamation for the conduct of the 2018 Census.
8. The Institute has followed with keen interest the plans of the Commission to conduct a biometric based census through the capture of the facial impression and finger print of respondents and satisfied that this bold initiative will neutralize the challenge of double and multiple enumeration of person experienced in previouse censuses.
9. The Institute notes with satisfaction the systematic approach of the Commission in carrying out the Enumeration Area Demarcated (EAD) for the next census particularly the use of Satellite Imagery to ensure that every part of the country is effectively delineated for the census. It is worthy of commendation that the Commission will at the end of the EAD produce a complete locality list and Zip Codes for the country. These are basic parameters required for effective urban management.
10. The National President Tpl Luka Achi states the commitment of the NITP to partner with the Commission in ensuring that a successful census is conducted in Nigeria. Town Planners offer to make individual and collective expertise available to the Commission at every stage of the census. The Institute is happy to note that some of our members are serving in various top capacities in the Commission.

Signed
Tpl Olugbenga Ashiru
National Public Relations Secretary

Nigerian instute of town planners press release

Press Release

The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners has commended the Nigerian House of Representatives which called, on Thusday 24th November 2016, for the immediate review of the Abuja Master Plan in order to reflect the social, economic and demographic realities of contemporary times.

The National President, Tpl. Luka Achi (fnitp), said its review would address the demands and challenges of urbanisation in FCT. He however emphasized the need to ensure that only town planning firms registered to practise in Nigeria should be consulted to get a functional and efficient master plan. Tpl. Achi stated that the master plan should have been reviewed before now in view of several changes that have taken place and the emerging requirements of the ever-growing FCT.

He recalled that in 1976 when the plan was prepared, little did government expect or forecast that there would be security-challenging issues such as Boko Haram insurgency, nor other forms of crises, like cattle rearing, plaguing the Capital City, which now make the review inevitable.
The National President, in the same vein, commended the Lagos State Government for the award of Epe and Ikorodu Master Plans, as well as, the Oshodi - Isolo Model City Plan made earlier in the year.

Tpl Achi appreciated the Kaduna State Government for the 19 towns advertised for master planning. He also commended the Nasarawa State Government for Karu , Keffi, and Lafia master plans, while he sought to encourage other states of the Federation to emulate the Lagos, Kaduna and Nasarawa State Governments.

He further advised that wider stakeholder engagements be employed in carrying out the plans, so as to secure the buy-in of the general public, which makes implementation of such plans a lot easier he advised that the Abuja Master Plan review must recognise land disputes already existing as a result of the old master plan with a view of resolving those disputes.

In concluding, the National President of NITP stated that the Institute as a professional body is ready to offer advice, assist and collaborate with government on any physical planning issues in the country that will make the sustainability of Nigerian settlements achievable.

Signed
Tpl Olugbenga Ashiru
National Public Relations
Secretary.