Countryside ranger

Countryside rangers help protect the environment and support wildlife by looking after natural areas like forests, coastlines, wetlands, and parks.

• Starter salary£20,000 a year
• Experienced£28,000 a year
• Typical hours37 to 44 a week
• Green jobYes

What you'll do

As a countryside ranger, you could:

• plan and create habitats to protect plants, trees, animals and birds
• lead guided walks, exhibition talks and educational visits
• inspect sites, monitor wildlife and report findings
• supervise assistant rangers and volunteers in daily tasks
• encourage community involvement in conservation projects
• operate machinery and equipment, and use hand and power tools

Working environment

You could work in woodland or in a park.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Skills and knowledge you'll need

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• knowledge of geography
• the ability to work well with others
• to be flexible and open to change
• knowledge of biology
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

How to become a countryside ranger

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

University

You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree before applying for a countryside ranger job.

Relevant courses include:

• environmental studies
• rural resource management
• countryside management
• conservation

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

College

You may be able to get into this job after doing a course at an agricultural or land based college.

Courses include:

• environmental and conservation skills
• countryside management
• T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, for example:

• Countryside Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Forest Craftsperson Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Countryside Ranger Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

These take between 1 and 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Volunteering

You could get useful experience by volunteering through:

• National Parks UK
• The Wildlife Trusts
• The Conservation Volunteers
• Countryside Jobs Service

This may give you an advantage when looking for work.

Direct application

You could apply for a position as an assistant ranger in a national park or with an organisation like the National Trust. Once working, you may be offered the opportunity to do further training to become a ranger.

You'll be expected to have some paid or voluntary experience of working in the countryside or conservation, and a love of working outdoors.

Restrictions and requirements

A driving licence may be required for some jobs.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could:

• become a head ranger, countryside officer or estate manager
• move into more specialised work like forestry, coastal management or wildlife conservation

Career tips

A first aid qualification may help when applying for jobs.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Countryside Management Association for professional development training and to build up your contacts.

Guides for this industry

• Environmental Sciences: pay, interviews and getting started →

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