Introduction

Local government countryside rangers manage and maintain open spaces such as parks, woodlands, heaths, common land and urban green spaces.  In more urban areas they may be known as park or leisure rangers.

Work Environment

Most of a local government ranger’s time is spent outdoors patrolling open spaces.  There may be some time spent writing up reports in an office.
Countryside rangers work 37 hours per week, but this is likely to be on a shift rota that includes evening and weekend work.

Daily Activities

Local government countryside rangers are usually part of a team of rangers within the countryside or parks and recreation service.  Each ranger takes responsibility for a number of sites in a specific geographical area and is usually the first point of contact for people living in that area if they have difficulties or need advice about issues relating to the local council’s open spaces.

Local government countryside rangers carry out a range of duties, which may include some or all of the following:

• patrolling open spaces to ensure they are safe for public use, this might include stopping the illegal off road use of motorcycles and quad bikes;
• undertaking practical conservation and maintenance tasks, often in partnership with local conservation volunteers;
• running events for local people to promote proper use of open spaces and care for the natural environment;
• visiting schools and community groups to talk about environmental care and conservation;
• leading guided nature walks;
• offering advice to individuals, conservation groups or organisations on conservation management, landscape enhancement, arboriculture and practical conservation skills.

In more urban areas additional tasks might include overseeing and monitoring parking areas, skate parks and working closely with community/street wardens.
  
Skills & Interests

Local government countryside rangers need:

• to be friendly and approachable and able to communicate with many different types of people,
• confident presentation skills,
• good practical ability,
• to be able to carry out physically demanding tasks,
• a good geographical knowledge of the area where they would like to work and an ability to read maps,
• good organisational skills.

Entry Requirements

There are no specific minimum entry requirements, although a full driving licence may be required.  Some councils might ask for previous conservation related experience, experience dealing with people, or a knowledge of the local area.
Many countryside rangers begin their career working as volunteers on conservation projects.  This is a great way to build up practical experience.  You can find out more about becoming a countryside volunteer by contacting your local council countryside or parks and recreation service directly.
Alternatively, the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) can provide information on where to look for volunteer projects in your area.  BTCV also run a range of training courses from coppicing, footpath construction and chainsaw use, to map reading, pond management and hedgelaying.
Once in a countryside ranger position you may find that there are opportunities to work towards relevant N/SVQs and/or an Apprenticeship in environmental conservation and land based engineering.
 
Estimated salary range

Local government countryside rangers might expect to earn £16,000 – £20,000.
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

With appropriate training and experience, there may be opportunities to progress to local government countryside officer or countryside manager.  It may be possible to move into different types of role within the wider environmental or leisure services departments in the council.
Related Occupations

Follow this link to view a list of all related occuptions in Protecting Your Community.
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

Lantra careers websites:
For young people www.ajobin.com
For adults www.afuturein.com

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 Ranger 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.