Environmental Professional Talk with Ryan Muri
Ryan Muri is from a rural background in North Central Alberta in a region with significant energy activity. He was able to obtain some “environmental” experience and exposure to the environmental consulting industry prior to selecting environmental sciences as his primary focus at post secondary.
Ryan received his Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Conservation Sciences (ENCS) with a minor in Soil science in 2001 from the University of Alberta. He then received his Professional Agrologist designation in Alberta in 2003. Ryan began his career as an Environmental professional in 2001 with a small Edmonton based private consulting firm in the spring of 2001. After 12 years (8 of which were primarily field based) and 2 “boom and bust” cycles associated with the energy sector, Ryan moved into an industry role with Husky Energy (now Cenovus Energy) in 2013.
In 2017 Ryan moved back into consulting and in 2018, joined Vertex Professional Services (parent company – Vertex Resource Group). Initially the role was General Manager of Environment North. As a result of significant company growth in the environmental division and a decision to re-structure by sector instead of by region, Ryan was appointed as Vice President of Regulatory and Compliance Monitoring early in 2022. The team that Ryan facilitates supports projects in the following sectors across Canada; renewables, transmission lines, pipelines, Sand and Gravel, Oil Sands, commercial and residential developments, and supports various clients on green initiatives.
Ryan is married and has two children, Caleb, and Camryn and still calls the Edmonton region home.
Description
What can you do as an Environmental Professional? The list is long and diverse, and individuals come form a wide range of educational and speciality backgrounds. Some of the career paths include: (but not limited to):
Biophysical Sciences (Natural Sciences) Wildlife Biology Fisheries and Aquatics Soil and Reclamation professionals Vegetation and Wetland Ecology Groundwater (Hydrogeology) Surface Water professionals Contaminated Sites Management Assessment and remediation Risk assessment and human health toxicology Spill response professionals Contaminant hydrogeology
Job Forecast
Increased sector development in Canada (i.e. renewables, increased green initiatives) and in increase in regulatory and stakeholder engagement in the development and restoration/reclamation of projects have led to a increase in demand for Environmental Professionals. Specific to Western Canada there is a shortage across the board for all areas associated with pre-development assessments scopes, regulatory permitting and management and closure of impacted sites.
Employment Requirements
Most industries that employ Environmental Professionals do require post secondary education associated with a related field for entry level positions. This includes two- or three-year technical diplomas from accredited colleges and technical institutes or a Bachelors degree. With increased specialization in a specific discipline, higher level education is often obtained. Most Environmental Professionals work towards a professional designation that accommodates the work types and areas in which they practice.
Education requirements and professional designations do vary by province and governing body.
Need More?
Check out our Career Crisis Interview Series:
