Analyst (Environmental Research)

Analyst (Environmental Research) - Raji Kaur

I was fortunate to find the CAA recruitment advertisement so soon after I had returned to the UK and it was a rare find to see that the requirements matched closely the skills and knowledge that I acquired during research for my thesis.

"After reading Chemistry at the University of Bath, I moved to Australia to gain experience in the environmental field. After working in various areas I decided to study for a Masters in Environmental Science at the University of Sydney. This is when I became interested in greenhouse gas emissions caused by the aviation industry and so focused my research project on this subject. "

"I joined the Environmental Research and Consultancy Department (ERCD) as an Analyst in January 2008. The Department was very welcoming and friendly and as a result I settled in quickly. My role as an Environmental Research Analyst involves ensuring the validity of environmental impact assessments submitted by Change Sponsors (for example National Air Traffic Services or an airport operator) under the requirements of the CAA Guidance on the Applications of the Airspace Change Process. It is an invaluable experience to see how policy is formed (within the Guidance) and how this is then implemented. "

Environmental assessments cover a broad range of impacts that include noise, local air quality, emissions, biodiversity, tranquillity and visual intrusion. With the exception of emissions and biodiversity, I had no previous knowledge on other environmental impacts caused by aviation and so it has been a steep learning curve. Considering the impacts on tranquillity and visual intrusion is a fairly new territory; measuring these in a quantitative or qualitative form is not yet defined. It is therefore exciting to be part of the process developing these areas.

CAA aviation jobs are filled with an enormous wealth of expertise and knowledge in a diverse range of areas. This multidisciplinary approach allows the CAA to regulate at a high standard. However, maintaining this high standard requires a constant learning process to keep up to date with the newest developments and academic progress within each of these areas, which the CAA does. I am still at the beginning of my career and am looking forward to taking advantage of the CAA’s commitment to constant learning and progression. In the short space of time I have been here, I have already seen how the organisation considers the individual needs of each employee and offers the flexibility and training opportunities to match.