Countryside officer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree before applying for work as a countryside officer.

Relevant courses include:

• countryside or environmental management
• ecology and geography
• environmental studies
• plant biology
• conservation

Entry requirements:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You may be able to start as a trainee countryside officer after completing a course at an agricultural college, such as:

• Level 3 Diploma in Countryside Management
• T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

Apprenticeship

You could begin your career by doing a Countryside Ranger Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

This can take a minimum of 2 years and 2 months to complete.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You may be able to join an organisation as a countryside ranger or assistant officer and work your way up through on-the-job training and promotion.

Volunteering

Volunteering is a good way to get practical experience, meet new people and develop your network of contacts.

You can find opportunities with:

• National Parks UK
• The Wildlife Trusts
• The Conservation Volunteers
• Countryside Jobs Service

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to work well with others
• analytical thinking skills
• knowledge of biology
• knowledge of geography
• customer service skills
• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• complex problem-solving skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• thinking and reasoning skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to read English
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• maths skills
• concentration skills

What you'll do:

Countryside officers manage, protect and improve the rural environment.

As a countryside officer, you could:

• advise landowners on how to manage their land
• conduct environmental surveys, carry out research and analyse data
• manage staff and volunteers
• prepare and advise on funding and planning applications
• promote the countryside at events, visitor centres and on social media

Location : You could work in an office, in a park, in woodland or in the countryside.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

Salary:

Starter : £22,000
Experienced : £34,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

39 - 41 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays

Career Path:

With experience and further qualifications, you could:

• become a senior officer, countryside manager or estate manager
• move into forestry management or wildlife conservation
• work in leisure and tourism in the National Parks