Career Profile:
Job Summary:
Countryside rangers help to protect and care for habitats, wildlife, property and inspire other people to appreciate the environment. In the UK, they work in national parks, sites of special scientific interest (SSSI), wildlife trusts, RSPB sites and regional parks. There are also similar roles abroad.
Job Tasks:
The role of a countryside ranger is extremely varied and can include:
- Engaging with visitors
- Leading walks & tours
- Undertaking practical conservation work
- Protecting/enhancing the conservation status of a landscape
- Enforcing access rules
- Creating signage
- Developing resources
- Managing landscapes
- Managing events, exhibitions or visitor centres
- Maintaining equipment
- Completing admin tasks, including emails
You can expect to spent a considerable amount of time outdoors, in all weathers, but also may need to complete paperwork or reports. You will need to be able to use a computer, as you are likely to use email to communicate with partners and colleagues, as well as using word processing software to write reports and manage your diary.
Skills Needed for this Job:
For this role, you need to be passionate about nature and the outdoors, as well as being friendly and approachable. The role involves working with the public, as well as managing conservation projects so you will need the ability to:
- Work with others, especially volunteers
- Manage others
- Manage projects
- Communicate with people from all backgrounds
- Write reports
You will need a wide range of practical skills around land management, access management and conservation. If you have wildlife and flora identification skills, this will help.
Working Hours:
Hours of work can vary considerably, including evening and weekend work depending on your specific role.
Income:
Countryside ranger salaries start at around £16,000 and range up to around £30,000 for a highly experience and multi-skilled ranger.
The number of jobs in this field are very limited, with salaries that are most often below or well below the UK national average.
Training & Qualifications:
Most people working in this role will have a degree or higher level qualification related to the environment, conservation or ecology. You can also train as an apprentice and work your way up to becoming a countryside ranger, however openings of this type are rare and you may have to consider moving, to secure an apprenticeship. Find out more about How to find an Apprenticeship.
Having a degree alone is unlikely to score you a job as a countryside ranger; experience is very important, so in this sense, an apprenticeship is useful, because you get on-the-job training. If you are considering becoming a countryside ranger, get as much varied experience as possible, to give you the best chances of gaining the skills and knowledge needed to secure a job. Application is highly competitive, so look to volunteer or work in access, conservation, forestry, landscape management or similar to get a foot in the door. Do your research and find out what exactly the employer is looking for. Go out and get that specific experience, so that when a job becomes available, you meet all of the job criteria.
Mentors/ Industry information:
These are some good places to start:
Outdoor Careers 