Callum Burns MSc CSci MIEnvSc

Principal Geoenvironmental Chartered Consultant at Stantec

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

About

A Principal Geoenvironmental Chartered Scientist with over 15 years of environmental consultancy experience gained from living and working in three different continents. Callum's proven track record is within site investigation and remediation of contaminated land, undertaking, managing and delivering land quality assessments and intrusive ground investigations for a range of blue chip private and public sector clients. This has included exposure to oil spill response during his work for oil operators in Aberdeen. Callum is a member of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) and the Society of Brownfield Risk Assessment (SoBRA). He is a qualified international surfing, stand up paddle and coasteering instructor with coaching experience delivered in Australia, California and Europe. Charitable work has included leading surfing lessons for the Wave Project, a mental health intervention project for children with difficulties, and leading coasteering excursions for the Prince's Trust.

Experience

  • Stantec (Hybrid)
    • Principal Geoenvironmental Chartered Consultant
      Mar 2025 - Present · 1 yr 5 mos

    • Senior Geoenviornmental Chartered Consultant
      Apr 2022 - Mar 2025 · 3 yrs

    • Geoenvironmental Scientist
      Sep 2017 - Apr 2022 · 4 yrs 8 mos

      Responsible for land quality assessment for a variety of public and private sector clients.

  • Surfing and Stand Up Paddle Instructor at Coast to Coast Surf School and The Wave Project Scotland
    Oct 2015 - Sep 2017 · 2 yrs

    Responsible for leading safe, satisfying surf, stand up paddle and coasteering classes for a wide variety of people from disadvantaged children through to thrill seeking adults. A very challenging job with a daily emphasis on safety risk assessment and providing a nurturing environment to grow skills in the surf zone as well as in life. Highly rewarding and active.

  • Environmental Scientist / Advisor at ERM: Environmental Resources Management
    Jul 2014 - Apr 2015 · 10 mos

    • Phase I geo-environmental desk-based research and site condition reporting largely for the Transactions department; • Assisting on Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) due diligence audits namely for Lafarge Tarmac, CNR and ENI; • Writing proposals for international site condition investigatory works, mainly in Egypt and Saudi Arabia; • Groundwater/gas monitoring, coordination and sample collection at Champion Technologies Ltd; • Supporting on the collation of various aspects associated with the offshore environmental requirements for Statoil’s new Mariner development; and • Additionally held the position of Fire Marshal for the Aberdeen Office.

  • Marine Environmental Scientist / Advisor at RSK Group plc
    Oct 2012 - Mar 2014 · 1 yr 6 mos

    I collated information and wrote oil spill contingency/emergency plans for new oil exploration wells and drafted environmental baseline chapters for newly proposed offshore oil platforms and associated infrastructure(s). Furthermore, I supported geo-environmental teams across the business, taking the field lead to environmentally problem solve the issues surrounding a heating oil spill through a residential area.

  • International Surf Instructor at Quiksilver Europe
    Mar 2012 - Sep 2012 · 7 mos

    While in Australia I gained an International Surf Instruction qualification. Owing to a depressed U.K. job market, I decided to utilise this training and I was therefore responsible for leading beginner and intermediate surfing lessons and educating the students about oceanic environmental processes at Quiksilver. I was also heavily involved in delivering evening presentations and lectures as well as conducting GoPro video analysis of individual student surf performance(s) and assisting with landrover operation and maintance.