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Countryside ranger
Countryside rangers manage and look after areas of the countryside for use by the public, while also protecting plant and animal life. They are responsible for places such as nature reserves, country parks, coastal areas, heath and moor land, forests and national parks.
Also known as:
- Countryside keeper
- Countryside warden
Work activities
Rangers manage a very wide variety of areas and activities, so their jobs and duties vary depending on where they work. Practical conservation duties include:
- Mending gates and fences.
- Planting and cutting down trees.
- Creating and maintaining footpaths.
- Picking up litter.
- Clearing vegetation from ponds and riverbeds.
Rangers put up signs and explain by-laws, so members of the public are aware of their responsibilities in the countryside. They maintain and sometimes create habitats to encourage and protect wildlife. This could mean growing a particular type of plant to act as cover for birds, or clearing vegetation so birds can roost on dry shingle. Informing and advising the public is a very important part of the work. Rangers lead guided walks, give talks and lectures, for example, to school groups, write publicity leaflets and organise displays and exhibitions. They talk to members of the local community and representatives from conservation bodies and negotiate public access with landowners and farmers. Increasingly, rangers/wardens involve local community and other groups in conservation projects. Some rangers/wardens have managerial duties such as recruiting, training and supervising estate workers and volunteers. Others might report to a countryside manager.
Rangers/wardens might also plan and control budgets and apply for money from sources such as the government. They can be involved in scientific research such as monitoring and surveying wildlife. This might mean they have to write up reports and use statistics. Rangers/wardens have to deal with accidents and emergency situations, including fires, floods or mountain rescue. They will often need to drive to get around the countryside area. They work on their own for long periods, as well as being part of a team.
Personal qualities and skills
To be a countryside ranger, you’ll need:
- A strong interest in the environment and conservation.
- Physical fitness and willingness to do hard work in all types of weather.
- Verbal communication skills to deal with a wide range of people. You might also need presentation skills to give talks to the public.
- Written skills to produce reports and publicity material.
- Planning and organisational skills.
- The ability to supervise and train estate workers and volunteers.
- Practical skills. Increasingly, however, rangers/wardens supervise volunteers, estate staff or contractors who do practical work.
- A friendly, approachable manner for dealing with the public.
- To be firm when enforcing by-laws and regulations that protect the public and the environment.
- Computer skills.
A driving licence will often be essential.
Pay and opportunities
Salary rates for countryside rangers vary depending on their employer and the level/range of their responsibility. Countryside rangers earn in the range of £20,000, rising to £28,000 with experience.
Long hours, weekend and evening work are common (on a seasonal basis). Voluntary, part-time and seasonal opportunities are frequently available.
Employers include local authorities, and national organisations such as:
- Natural England.
- Countryside Council for Wales.
- National Trust.
- Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
- Forestry Commission.
Where are vacancies advertised?
Vacancies are advertised on general job boards and those that specialise in countryside, environmental and land-based jobs. They also appear in local newspapers, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.
Entry routes and training
Competition for jobs is very strong and many employers ask for degrees, HNDs or foundation degrees in relevant subjects. These subjects include countryside, land and rural management, environmental conservation, environmental science, earth sciences and biological sciences.
Entry is possible with lower-level qualifications, such as City & Guilds or Edexcel (BTEC) certificates and diplomas in countryside and environment or countryside management.
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.
Promotion prospects vary depending on the employer. You might follow a structured career path, increasing your responsibilities and salary along the way. You could become a head ranger/warden, for example. With further experience and/or qualifications, promotion could be into a countryside manager role. Rangers can also specialise, for example, as forest rangers, or education rangers who work with school groups.
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act: Some posts involve working with children, for example, on school trips, or vulnerable adults who might be taking part in conservation projects. These posts are exceptions to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to. This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are asked to.
Qualifications
There are no set entry requirements, although many rangers have a relevant degree, foundation degree or HND, in subjects such as countryside management, environmental conservation, an earth science or a biological science. Depending on the degree subject, usual minimum requirements are:
- Two to three A-levels. You may need at least one science subject.
- GCSEs at grades 9-4 in your A-level subjects.
- A further two to three GCSEs at grades 9-4.
Equivalent qualifications, such as Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 Nationals and the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, might be acceptable for entry.
To enter a relevant HND or foundation degree, you will usually need at least one A-level and four GCSEs (9-4). Again, equivalent qualifications can be acceptable.
If you wish to enter this career through a higher apprenticeship, you’ll need two A-levels plus GCSEs in English and maths.
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.
Knowledge and skills gained through relevant experience, including voluntary and seasonal work, are very important. This experience could be in an environmental or conservation project, or in a related area such as farming, horticulture or forestry, for example. If you don’t have the qualifications you need 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 formal qualifications to start an Access course, although you should check individual course details.
