Christchurch Branch Event - Student Night: Career Paths in Contaminated Land and Groundwater

What is the contaminated land and groundwater industry? What does a day in the life of an industry professional look like? How do you get into this field of work?

Come along to this event to hear five very different journeys into the industry. The experience of our speakers ranges from 3 months to nearly 30 years! The various perspectives, skills, and advice will hopefully have you considering a contaminated land and groundwater career!

You will also have the opportunity to network and ask questions along the way!

Your ticket includes one complimentary drink and a selection of appetizers. Please note that this is not a formal dinner event. BYO!

To minimise our use of plastic, we encourage delegates to bring their own reusable water bottles.

Jessica Green
Environmental Scientist
Beca

Jessica Green has been working as an Environmental Scientist with Beca for nearly three years, which has provided the opportunity to be involved with a wide range of different and interesting projects.

Prior to joining Beca, she gained experience working for a regional council. She graduated from the University of Waikato with a Masters degree in Environmental Science in 2020.

Madeline Sinha
Contaminated Land Science Analyst
Environment Canterbury

Madeline is a Contaminated Land Science Analyst at Environment Canterbury who has worked in local government since 2017 in a plethora of roles from drinking water, landfills, and even a museum.

She graduated from Otago with a BSc in Geography and is currently undertaking an MSc thesis at UC under Sally Gaw. Madeline’s role at ECan sees her visiting a wide range of sites across the Canterbury region and offering scientific advice on contaminated land matters to consent planners as well compliance and enforcement officers.

Gabriella Pitcher
Graduate Environmental Scientist
AECOM

Gabriella is a Graduate Environmental Scientist in the Geoscience and Remediation Services team at AECOM New Zealand. She joined the company in February of this year after completing her Bachelor of Science with Honours at the University of Canterbury in 2023.

Gabriella has always been passionate about the environment and also has an interest in chemistry. Combining these led her to pursue a career in the field of contaminated land.

Samantha Iles
Principal Environmental Consultant
SLR Consulting

Samantha Iles is a Principal Environmental Consultant at SLR Consulting. She is a Certified Environmental Practitioner with over 7 years’ experience in both the regulatory and consulting environments in addition to her past life as an analytical chemist.

At last years’ WasteMINZ Conference, Samantha was jointly awarded the Terre Nicholson Award for Contaminated Land Young Professional.

Warren Sharp
Environmental Geologist
EHS

Warren is an Environmental Geologist with over 25 years’ experience in the investigation, risk assessment, consenting and management / remediation of contaminated sites. He is a Certified Environmental Practitioner Site Contamination Specialist (CEnvP - SC).

Warren has worked on contaminated site projects in a variety of sectors, with particular emphasis on the assessment and remediation of sites associated with petroleum hydrocarbons, timber treatment activities, chemical and pesticide disposal, asbestos, and industrial sites including closed landfills. Warren’s career has included work in Australasia, Southeast Asia, and Scandinavia.