protecting your community

 

Introduction

When you go out for a walk in the countryside, have you ever wondered who decided where the footpaths should lead, who ensures that they are kept clear of vegetation and who arranged for the picnic area to be located in a particular spot? Well, it’s very likely that a countryside officer was involved in all of these things.

There are about 5,000 countryside (or woodlands) officers working in the environmental services departments of local authorities. They support and assist countryside managers in the management of country parks, woodland areas, nature reserves, fishing areas and public rights of way.

Their main aims are to encourage visitors to the countryside, promote awareness and understanding about the natural environment, and, at the same time, protect the natural habitats of plants and animals.

Work Environment

Countryside officers spend most of their time in the office, working at their desk and attending meetings.

Site visits are necessary, however, for carrying out surveys or meeting with landowners, for example. These take place as and when required, regardless of weather conditions; countryside officers may find themselves outside during strong gales, heavy rain or snow.

Office hours, Monday to Friday, are usual, but some weekend or evening work may be necessary for special events.

Daily Activities

The work of a countryside officer varies from council to council. Typical duties could include:

• Looking at how to develop individual areas of countryside. For example, should a piece of woodland be developed in order to attract visitors, or should it be protected in order to sustain certain species of wildlife/plantlife.
• Managing visits to the countryside - trying to prevent any damage to the land by ensuring that footpaths are well-signposted, litterbins are provided, and carparking is available.
• Educating people on how to look after the countryside, via leaflets, information boards, etc.
• Carrying out research and writing reports, which will help form the authority’s long-term conservation policies.
• Talking to landowners and advising them on how to manage their land in ways which benefit the surrounding wildlife/countryside.
• Monitoring the quality of the natural environment - going out on site, conducting surveys, arranging for scientific experiments to be carried out.
• Organising and overseeing the maintenance of country parks and woodland areas.
• Inviting schools to take part in ‘environmental interpretation’ - pond-dipping, looking for wildlife, tree-identification walks.
• Offering advice to people who want to carry out their own conservation projects.
• Dealing with complaints - about overgrown public rights of way, for example.
• Meeting with agencies such as The Countryside Agency and English Nature to discuss conservation schemes.
• Meeting landowners to discuss schemes that are planned adjacent to their land.
• Looking at planning applications and advising on the potential disruption to the countryside, of a new road, for example.
• Giving talks on the countryside to local groups.
• Dealing with paperwork and writing reports.

Skills & Interests

• Good communication skills are essential. Countryside officers deal with landowners, other local authority officers and members of the public on a daily basis.
• Officers need to be confident and assertive, yet sympathetic to the points of view of others.
• Tact and the ability to negotiate are important.

Countryside officers also need to be:

• well-organised and able to plan ahead
• able to write reports and present them at meetings
• interested in and enthusiastic about working with plants and animals in their natural environment.

Entry Requirements

There are no specific entry requirements but, as competition is high, many entrants have a degree/higher national diploma. Relevant subjects include environmental sciences, biology, surveying, geography, ecology, countryside/environmental management.

Experience gained through voluntary or temporary work is essential.

It may be possible to start in lower-level practical jobs and work your way up.

NVQs/SVQs in Environmental Conservation are available at Levels 2 and 3.

A driving licence is very often required.

Estimated salary range

£16,000 - £25,000 p.a. depending on qualifications and experience.

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

The competition for jobs in conservation is very high, therefore, the more experience you have the better.

A lot of the physical work associated with managing the countryside is seasonal and therefore, temporary jobs are often available.

Countryside officers with the required qualifications can progress to become senior officers or countryside managers, with the responsibility of managing a team of officers, and controlling a budget.

Opportunities also exist with Government agencies including English Nature, the Countryside Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales; and with charitable trusts such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Woodland Trust and the National Trust.

Related Occupations

Follow this link to view a list of all related occuptions in Protecting Your Community.
Alternatively, follow this link to view all career profiles placed in the same job area.

Further Information & Services

Countryside Agency www.countryside.gov.uk

British Trust for Conservation Volunteers www.btcv.org

Environment Council www.the-environment-council.org.uk

Institute of Ecology and Environmental www.ieem.co.uk

Lantra www.lantra.co.uk

Countryside job information www.countryside-jobs.com

You may find further information about this area of work in your local Connexions service/careers office/school careers library - under HB.

What should I do next?

Look for current local government Countryside/Woodlands Officer vacancies in the following places:

• LGjobs.com - the official recruitment website for local government.
• Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly jobs bulletins produced by local councils themselves, available from libraries, community centres, town halls/main civic buildings and central council personnel departments.
• Local council websites.
• Local newspapers
• National newspapers - The Guardian is particularly well known for its public sector job advertisements on a Wednesday.

Find out about the council and get some work experience if possible by:

• Making the most of work experience placements arranged through your school, college or university.
• Contacting councils close to your home to find out about the work experience opportunities they offer.
• Talking to someone who does the job you are interested in - ring your local council to see if someone can spare some time.
• Making an appointment to see a careers adviser for more specific information about jobs and training.