Countryside manager

Countryside managers are responsible for developing, maintaining and managing areas of the countryside, often including public access to these areas. They are concerned with the conservation and use of these areas. Countryside managers are responsible for areas such as parks, nature reserves, woodlands, historical sites and the public access network.

Also known as

• Conservation manager
• Countryside officer

Work activities

Countryside managers can be involved in developing a site at the planning stage. For example, they might design a recreation site or work out how to create new countryside landscapes from derelict land. They can be involved in finding and applying for funding for the project. Managers encourage public interest and involvement in the development, e.g. by holding events, setting up displays and writing leaflets. They might encourage community-based projects, e.g. bringing in volunteer groups from the local community to take part in conservation work. Managers might also liaise with landowners to ensure that the public can access the site freely. They negotiate with conservation and voluntary organisations to secure their help in looking after the site’s wildlife. They might record and assess local restrictions to rights of way, negotiating with landowners to solve problems. They make sure that the public can access and enjoy the site could include planning the creation and maintenance of paths, cycle ways and picnic areas.

Countryside managers might have to research and secure grants, sponsorship or other forms of income from a range of agencies, organisations and, possibly, local businesses. They might plan and lead fund-raising activities and help to bring about community involvement. Managers also ensure the health and safety of everyone working on or visiting the site. They ensure that volunteers and workers are properly trained, and plan how to respond to fires and accidents. Managers of places such as country parks and visitor centres have similar duties. They recruit, supervise and train staff and volunteers, manage the budget and deal with day-to-day problems, including customer complaints. They have to produce management information such as reports, accounts and statistics for the owners of the site or funding agencies. For example, they might design a survey to gather visitors’ opinions about the site.

Managers also answer queries from the public and arrange educational activities such as classroom presentations. Countryside managers produce promotional material such as newsletters and leaflets to keep visitors informed and to market the site. Countryside managers might spend a lot of time in an office, although they also visit sites.

Personal qualities and skills

To be a countryside manager, you’ll need:

• A strong knowledge of rural, conservation, environmental and planning issues, including relevant legislation and policies.
• Excellent management skills, for example, to supervise, train and motivate staff, handle budgets, make decisions and solve problems.
• Communication skills to deal with a wide range of people, including the public, landowners, local authority staff and representatives of conservation bodies. You’ll need presentation skills.
• Number skills to manage budgets.
• Written and computer skills to produce leaflets and newsletters.

For some posts, you’ll need a full driving licence.

Pay and opportunities

Salary rates for countryside managers vary depending on employer and the level/range of responsibility. Countryside managers earn in the range of £22,000, rising to £34,000 with experience.

Countryside managers usually work a 39-41-hour week. However, early starts, evening and weekend work may be required.

Employers include:

• Local authorities (including National Park Authorities).
• Conservation bodies such as the National Trust and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
• Countryside Council for Wales.
• Natural England and Scottish Natural Heritage.
• Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Opportunities for countryside managers occur in rural areas throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Jobs appear in online publications such as The Environment Post and on environmental, countryside and land-based job boards such as environmentjob.co.uk. Vacancies are also advertised in local/national newspapers, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

Most entrants have a degree, HND, foundation degree, or equivalent, in a relevant subject. A postgraduate qualification can be an advantage. There are specialist courses in subjects like countryside, land and rural management. Entrants also have backgrounds in science subjects, especially biological and environmental science.

Alternatively, you could qualify by completing a level 4 (higher) apprenticeship in this role. You will train on the job while working towards relevant higher-level qualifications, paid for by your employer.

I can be useful to gain knowledge and skills in relevant work experience before entry. This could be in areas such as environmental or conservation work, leisure management or country planning, for example. It can be possible to work your way up into a management post from lower-level positions.

Training can be on-the-job, perhaps with in-house training courses. Some employers support countryside managers to take relevant postgraduate qualifications.

Countryside managers can go on to specialise in particular areas, including woodland management and rural tourism. Some countryside managers move into research, for example, in a university or research institute. Others go into teaching or consultancy work.

Qualifications

For entry to a degree course in countryside management, the usual requirement is:

• Two to three A-levels. Some universities specify a science subject, such as biology or environmental science.
• GCSEs at grades 9-4 in your A-level subjects.
• A further two to three GCSEs at grades 9-4. Some universities specify English and maths.

Equivalent qualifications, such as Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 Nationals and the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, might be acceptable for entry.

To get onto a higher apprenticeship, you’ll need two relevant A-levels plus GCSEs in maths and English. 

Adult opportunities

Age limits: it is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have gained skills and knowledge through relevant work experience, e.g. in leisure management, environmental or conservation work, or town or country planning.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter a degree, foundation degree or HND course, you might be able to start one after completing an Access course. You don’t usually need any qualifications, but you should check individual course details.

Related careers

• Countryside ranger
• Ecologist
• Environmental conservation officer
• Farm manager
• Forester
• Horticultural manager
• Landscape manager
• Manager
• Recreation manager
• Recycling officer