Countryside ranger
Animal Care

How to become a countryside ranger

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship

University

You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree. Relevant courses include:

• environmental studies
• rural resource management
• countryside management

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 may be able to get into this job with a college course like a Level 3 Diploma in Countryside Management.

College (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

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

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing a countryside worker intermediate apprenticeship, or an environmental conservation intermediate or advanced apprenticeship.

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

You could get experience by volunteering with National Parks or conservation charities like The Wildlife Trusts. This will give you an advantage when you're looking for work.

More info

Career tips A first aid qualification may help when applying for jobs. Professional and industry bodies You could join the Countryside Management Association for professional development training and to build up your contacts. Further information You can get more details about working as a countryside ranger through National Parks and the National Land Based College.

What it takes

Skills & Knowledge

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• knowledge of biology
• the ability to work well with others
• knowledge of geography
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• to be flexible and open to change
• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you'll do

Day to day

You'll usually:

• 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

Working 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 and progression

Career path & progression

You could join a professional body like the Countryside Management Association, which may improve your career prospects. With experience, you could become a senior, district or head ranger or warden. You could also become a countryside officer. Another option is to move into more specialised work like forestry or coastal area management, or wildlife conservation.