Wellbeing

Countryside officer

Countryside officers manage, protect and improve the rural environment.

Annual Salary

£19,000 to £34,000

Working hours

39 to 41 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays;

2.4%
Future employment

There will be 2.4% more Countryside officer jobs in 2027.
In your local area

What's it all about?

Day-to-day tasks

In this role you could:

  • advise landowners on how to manage their land
  • conduct surveys, carry out research and analyse data
  • write reports and deliver presentations
  • prepare and advise on funding and planning applications
  • give talks to community groups and support local environmental events
  • make resources like leaflets and displays to promote the countryside

Working environment

You could work in an office, in a park or in woodland.

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
University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

  • countryside or environmental management
  • ecology and geography
  • environmental science
  • biology

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
College

You could do a college course to learn some of the skills and knowledge you'll need in this job.

Relevant subjects include:

  • Level 2 Diploma in Countryside and Environment
  • Level 3 Certificate in Countryside Management
  • T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 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
Apprenticeship

You could start by doing a countryside worker intermediate apprenticeship or a countryside ranger higher apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 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
Volunteering and work experience

You might find it useful to get some work experience before you apply for a job.

You could look for volunteering opportunities with:

More information

Further information

You can get more details about countryside careers from the National Land Based College and Grow Careers.

With experience and further qualifications, you could become a senior countryside officer or a manager.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

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