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Wellbeing

Countryside officer Green Job

Countryside officers manage, protect and improve the rural environment.

Annual Salary

£22,000 to £34,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

37 to 42 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays;

2.4%
Future employment

There will be 2.4% more Countryside officer jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

As a countryside officer, you could:

  • advise landowners on how to manage their land
  • conduct environmental surveys, carry out research and analyse data
  • manage staff and volunteers
  • advise on and apply for funding
  • promote the countryside at events, visitor centres and on social media

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

Working environment

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:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree before applying for work as a countryside officer.

Relevant courses include:

  • countryside or environmental management
  • ecology and geography
  • environmental studies
  • plant biology
  • conservation

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
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
  • university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
College

You may be able to start as a trainee countryside officer after completing a course at an agricultural college, such as:

  • countryside studies
  • countryside management
  • T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • search for agricultural colleges|https://nlbc.uk/partners/members/
  • search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Countryside Ranger Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

This can take around two and half years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • higher and degree apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-and-degree-apprenticeships
Work

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 and work experience

Volunteering is a good way to get practical experience, meet new people and develop your network of contacts.

You can find opportunities with:

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

  • have a full driving licence

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Countryside Management Association for professional development training.

Further information

You can get more details about working in the countryside from Lantra and Grow Careers.

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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

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to work well with others
  • analytical thinking skills
  • knowledge of biology
  • knowledge of geography
  • customer service skills
  • legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
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