Hatch is an employee-owned, multidisciplinary professional services firm with a presence in over 150 countries. They are leaders in “positive change,” helping clients transition to sustainable practices in high-impact industries. In South Africa, Hatch is deeply involved in the energy transition and large-scale mining operations. Working for Hatch means you will be mentored by world-class specialists and exposed to international environmental standards (such as IFC Performance Standards).
Role Overview & Responsibilities
As a Junior Environmental Scientist, you will move beyond theory into field-based science and corporate compliance:
- Environmental Monitoring: Collecting and analyzing soil, water, and air quality samples at project sites.
- Compliance Auditing: Ensuring that heavy industry projects adhere to the Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) and local legislation (NEMA in SA and Mozambican environmental laws).
- Sustainability Reporting: Assisting in drafting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reports.
- Field Work in Mozambique: This often involves biodiversity surveys, community engagement, and monitoring environmental footprints in tropical or coastal ecosystems.
Career Advice: The “Traveling Scientist” Edge
- The Mozambique Factor: This role requires “frequent travel.” Ensure your Passport is valid. In your application, highlight your adaptability and willingness to work in remote or challenging field conditions.
- Language Skills: Mozambique is a Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) country. If you speak any Portuguese or even basic “Portu-ñol,” mention it! If not, emphasize your willingness to learn.
- Data Proficiency: Environmental science is increasingly data-driven. Highlight your experience with GIS (Geographic Information Systems) or any data analysis software (like R or Python) you used during your degree.
- Health & Safety: Hatch has a “Zero Harm” culture. Mention your awareness of site safety protocols, especially if you have experience with field-work safety.
Possible Interview Questions
“How do you handle the logistical and cultural challenges of working on projects in different countries like Mozambique?”
- Tip: Focus on your respect for local cultures and your organized approach to travel and fieldwork preparation. Mention that you view international exposure as a key part of your professional growth.
“What is your understanding of the difference between an Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)?”
- Tip: Explain that an EIA is the study done before a project starts to predict impacts, while the EMPr is the action plan used during the project to manage and mitigate those impacts.
“Can you describe a time you had to collect data in a difficult environment?”
- Tip: Discuss a university field trip or previous internship. Focus on how you maintained data integrity despite the heat, rain, or difficult terrain.
“Why is ‘Sustainability’ more than just a buzzword at a firm like Hatch?”
- Tip: Connect it to the “Triple Bottom Line”—People, Planet, and Profit. Explain that for Hatch’s clients, being sustainable is essential for long-term project viability and social license to operate.