Countryside Ranger

Job Description:

Countryside rangers look after green spaces, woodlands and animal habitats that are open to the public.

Job Category:

Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing

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What you will do:

You could:

plan and create habitats to protect plants, animals and birds
plant trees and manage ponds
lead guided walks, talks and educational visits
work with volunteers and encourage community involvement in projects
balance the needs of conservation and visitor management
manage exhibitions and resource centres and talk to the public
maintain machinery like chainsaws and mowers
order materials, keep records and write reports

Skills:

You’ll need:

knowledge of biology
knowledge of geography
legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

As well as:

customer service skills
the ability to work well with others (teamwork)
excellent verbal communication skills
the ability to use your initiative (drive)
to be flexible and open to change (adaptable)

Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

To become a Countryside Ranger or a similar profession in the field of countryside or environmental management, specific subjects are not typically required. However, certain subjects and skills can be beneficial in preparing for a career in this field. Countryside Rangers work in various roles related to the conservation, management, and interpretation of natural environments, parks, and outdoor spaces. Here are some relevant subjects and skills:

Science: subjects like Biology, Environmental Science, or Geography can provide a foundational understanding of ecological principles, natural processes, and environmental issues.
Mathematics (Maths): Basic math skills are valuable for tasks such as data analysis, budgeting, and measurement in countryside management.
English Language: Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for creating educational materials, leading guided tours, and communicating with visitors.

Post School

You can get into this job through:

a university course
a college course
an apprenticeship
volunteering

University
You could take a foundation degree, a higher national diploma, or a degree.

Relevant courses include:

environmental studies
rural resource management
countryside management

College
You may be able to get into this job with a college course such as:

Diploma in Countryside and Environment (Level 2 in the UK)
Diploma in Countryside Management (Level 3 in the UK)
Agriculture, Land Management and Production (T Level in the UK)

Apprenticeship
The following apprenticeships may be relevant to this role:

countryside worker intermediate apprenticeship
forest craftsperson advanced apprenticeship
countryside ranger higher apprenticeship

Volunteering
You could get experience by volunteering with national parks or conservation charities like The Wildlife Trusts in the UK. This will give you an advantage when you’re looking for work.

You can search for jobs and volunteering opportunities at Countryside Jobs

Working Hours and Environment:

You could work in woodland or in a park.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career Path & Progression:

With experience, you could become a senior, district or head ranger or warden. You could also become a countryside officer.

You could move into more specialised work like forestry or coastal area management, or wildlife conservation.

Countryside Ranger