Countryside Officer

Typical Salary

£20,000 To £40,000

Typical Hours

39 to 41 a week

evenings / weekends / bank holidays

How To Become a Countryside Officer

You can get into this job through:

a university course
a college course
an apprenticeship

College / University

You could complete a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

countryside or environmental management
ecology and geography
environmental science
biology

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

You could do a college course, which will teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant subjects include:

Level 2 Diploma in Countryside and Environment
Level 3 Certificate in Countryside Management

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

The following apprenticeships may be relevant to this role:

Level 2 Countryside worker
Level 4 Countryside ranger

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

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

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

excellent verbal communication skills
thinking and reasoning skills
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
analytical thinking skills
the ability to use your initiative
the ability to work well with others
business management skills
customer service skills
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Day To Day Tasks

You could :

advise landowners on how to manage their land
conduct surveys, carry out research and analyse data
write reports and deliver presentations
prepare funding applications
deal with complaints
organise the upkeep of country parks and woodlands
advise on planning applications
give talks to local groups
produce resources like leaflets and display boards to promote countryside benefits
support local environmental events, activities and projects

Working Environment

You could work in an office, in a park or in woodland.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

Career Path & Progression

With experience and further qualifications, you could become a senior countryside officer or manager and then regional manager.

Volunteering Opportunities

Paid or unpaid work experience can be very useful when applying for jobs.

Organisations like The Conservation Volunteers, the National Trust and The Wildlife Trusts offer training for volunteers.

You can search for related jobs and volunteering opportunities at Countryside Jobs Service

Tips & Information

Further information

You can get more details about countryside careers from the National Land Based College and Grow Careers.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.