Benoît Mazotti, scientific assistant at the Fribourg State Forestry and Wildlife Service, Natural Hazards Section

After graduating from the University of Lausanne with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Geosciences (2007), I went on to do a Master's degree in the analysis and monitoring of natural hazards (2009). My dissertation focused on the creation of a debris flow hazard map for the Val de Bagnes in Valais. After that, my civilian service was split between an assignment at UNIL (research into torrential dynamics in an alpine environment) and another at the commune of Bagnes in Valais (analysis of natural hazards, register of illegal dumps, etc.). In 2010, I was taken on as a scientific assistant at the Service des Forêts et de la Faune (SFF), Natural Hazards Sector, at the State of Fribourg. Initially at 60%, this position was increased to 100% in 2011. As part of the integrated management of natural hazards, our sector is mainly concerned with prevention and event preparation. The vast majority of our time is therefore devoted to managing natural hazards. It's all about being prepared, thinking about what might happen and thinking ahead. More specifically, the SFF's natural hazards section is responsible for the following tasks relating to gravity-related natural hazards, instabilities and avalanches: - Analysing hazards throughout the canton (basic data on natural hazards, such as hazard maps) - Support for municipalities in managing natural hazards in their areas (prevention measures, protective structures, organisational measures, emergency plans) - Maintaining and monitoring protective forests - Assessing the risk of forest fires - Management and training of the network of local natural hazard advisors - Participating in the development of the cantonal natural hazard management strategy via the Natural Hazards Commission (CDN). - At present, I am still working at the SFF and, at the same time, attend between 1 and 2 days of further training per year (conferences or specific training).

A number of factors played a decisive role in my progress to my current position: - A Bachelor's degree with a very broad field of knowledge - A Master's degree that was both formative and professional - A high level of personal involvement in the Master's work (which enables me to highlight the aspects of the profession that I have mastered). - When it comes to managing natural hazards, the following skills are more in demand in the public sector: - Good general knowledge (multidisciplinary) - Good GIS skills (essential these days) - Open-mindedness to establish contact with a wide range of stakeholders with different interests - Good listening, popularisation and communication skills - Pragmatism, ensuring proportionality between economic, social and environmental interests.

The title of our course, Master of Science in Environmental Geosciences, is very general, and it is sometimes difficult for professionals to identify the content of this course. Therefore, when making initial contact, which is very often done through the application (covering letter and CV), it is important to explain its specific nature. It is also important to emphasise the cross-disciplinary skills acquired throughout the course: an overview of several environmental fields, scientific rigour, GIS skills, ease of understanding and a global vision of processes. For positions limited to French-speaking Switzerland, it is essential to be able to write well in French (reports, correspondence, etc.). A good command of spoken and written German is essential if the position involves contacts with German-speaking Switzerland or in a bilingual canton. In my sector of activity, the application procedures are very often standard, whether it's an unsolicited application or a response to a job advertisement. A word of advice: target your applications for each position you're aiming for. There's nothing more blatant than a standard "copy and paste" letter! It won't make the employer want to meet you - you won't be invited for an interview.