Countryside officer
Environmental and Land

How to become a countryside officer

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship

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

University (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

• 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 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

College (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

• 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

You could start out on a countryside worker intermediate apprenticeship or do an advanced apprenticeship in environmental conservation.

Apprenticeship (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

• 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

Volunteering & Experience

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.

More info

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

What it takes

Skills & Knowledge

You'll need:

• excellent verbal communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to read English
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• maths knowledge
• analytical thinking skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• active listening skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you'll do

Day to day

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
• make sure footpaths are clearly marked and litter bins and car parks are provided
• advise on planning applications
• give talks to local groups
• produce resources like leaflets and information boards
• 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 and progression

Career path & progression

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