Annual Salary
£22,000 to £34,000
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
Swap to Agriculture or Animal or go back to all job sectors or go to green jobs
Swap to Agriculture or Animal or go back to all job sectors or go to green jobs
Countryside officers manage, protect and improve the rural environment.
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays;
There will be
2.4% more Countryside officer jobs in 2027.
As a countryside officer, you could:
Green job
As a countryside officer, you'll manage leisure and recreational activities in a sustainable way. You'll also protect wildlife and natural habitats. This can have a positive impact on the environment.
Find out more about green careers
You could work in an office, in a park, in woodland or in the countryside.
Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.
You can get into this job through:
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree before applying for work as a countryside officer.
Relevant courses include:
You'll usually need:
You may be able to start as a trainee countryside officer after completing a course at an agricultural college, such as:
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could apply to do a Countryside Ranger Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.
This can take around two and half years to complete.
You'll usually need:
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 is a good way to get practical experience, meet new people and develop your network of contacts.
You can find opportunities with:
You'll need to:
You could join the Countryside Management Association for professional development training.
You can get more details about working in the countryside from Lantra and Grow Careers.
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
You'll need: