Rangers are responsible for a range of activities that benefit both the natural environment and associated public access and recreation. Their role is to encourage visitors to the countryside, promote awareness of the natural environment and protect and preserve the countryside for future enjoyment.
The tasks can vary and can be broken down into practical and management
The practical element of this role includes:
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Patrolling sites to encourage responsible enjoyment, reduce crime and protect the public and wildlife
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Managing habitats to maintain favourable conditions for wildlife
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Managing exhibitions and visitor centres
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Ensuring footpaths, bridleways and other public access areas are safe
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Making minor repairs to gates, fences, stiles, walls, footpaths and picnic tables
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Raising awareness of environmental conservation through education and interpretation
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Devising and implementing surveys to monitor wildlife
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Nature conservation, including the implementation of projects at a local level for the protection and creation of habitats
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Landscape conservation, including the creation of schemes to protect existing features or restore landscapes
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Environmental assessments and field surveys
The management of the countryside involves:
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Planning and implementing a variety of environmental and conservation projects, education activities, fundraising, working partnerships and policy development
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Increasing community involvement and participation, for example, by organising activities and projects
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Recruiting and supervising staff and volunteers
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Developing business plan, site or conservation management plans, marketing and controlling budgets
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Looking at the future of the countryside and the action that needs to be undertaken in order to protect the natural environment around us
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Implementing solutions
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Preparing applications for funding
Rangers typically work around 37.5 hours a week. The hours vary depending on the season, with early starts common in the summer months. Weekend and Bank Holiday work, late evenings and overtime is often required. There are part-time, voluntary and flexible opportunities available.
The work can be physically demanding. Regardless of the season, work can be inside or outdoors in all weathers. Depending on the area covered, there may be a significant amount of travelling between different sites, for meetings and to co-ordinate education or community projects. A driving licence is therefore an essential requirement for many positions.
Officers may be provided with protective clothing or a uniform, and are expected to take responsibility for their health and safety and to work with limited direct supervision.
These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.
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Starting salaries may be around £18,000 to £24,000 a year
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With experience, officers may earn around £25,000 to £30,000 a year
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Officers in senior positions may earn in excess of £30,000
- Welcome and receive visitors
- Care for visitors
- Monitor and maintain health, safety and security in the workplace
- Maintain good standards of health and safety for self and others
- Maintain environmental good practice at work
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
- Maintain and develop personal performance
- Receive and communicate information
- Maintain and understand records
- Maintain supplies of physical resources
- Work with, and consult, the local community
- Report on environmental change
- Monitor environmental change
- Create and maintain a safe environment for children
- Deal with accidents and emergencies
- Supervise children during activities and outings
- Manage emergencies
- Manage and deal with actual or potential breaches of the law or security
- Make contributions to meetings
- Lead the work of volunteers
- Assess the work of volunteers and provide feedback
- Organise and check the use of resources by volunteers
- Plan the work of volunteers
- Promote1 the characteristics and values of the organisation
- Make selective use of IT (level 1)
- Communicate effectively
- Respond appropriately to customers
- Communicate information to customers
- Establish effective rapport with customers
- Provide information and advice to customers
- Pick the best solution to resolve customer service problems
- Take action to resolve customer service problems
- Spot customer service problems
- Maintain and co-ordinate the safe movement of people on sites
- Maintain compliance with conservation requirements
- Maintain safe and effective work in isolated situations or when working alone
- manage individuals and teams
- Run the project
- Giving presentations to groups and organisations
- Manage the physical and emotional well-being of
participants
- Initiate the outdoor education experience
- Monitor, support and guide the educational experience
There are a variety of qualifications and training courses that can help you:
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Find employment
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Improve your current skills
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Gain promotion
Some employers may require a degree for entry into this career along with relevant countryside and access management experience.
Other more general qualifications include:
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FdSc Countryside Management
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National Diploma in Countryside Management
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National Certificate in Countryside Management
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BSc / BSc (Hons) Countryside and Environmental Management
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BSc (Hons) Environmental Conservation
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Diploma in Work Based Environmental Conservation (previously National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)) at Levels 2-4
There are also many courses available which provide useful skills for those looking to enter or progress in the industry. For practical conservation skills (managing vegetation, dry stone walling, erecting gates, making steps etc.) organisations such as the BTCV provide a wide selection of short courses. Alternatively many organisations will provide on the job training for those that volunteer with them.
The Field Studies Council (FSC) offers a range of idenfification and conservation mangement courses that will enhance the skills of anyone working or aspiring to work in this sector.
The Countryside Jobs Service (CJS) lists a vast array of opportunities in the volunteering and training sections of its website.
Membership of professional bodies, such as the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) and the Countryside Management Association (CMA), is an option which provides opportunities for continued professional development (CPD) activity.
Read more about all types of qualifications available in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Know what course you want? Search for a training course with Lantra’s CourseFinder.
It is important to be interested in:
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The natural world and conservation issues
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Public access to, and understanding of, the natural environment.
There are over 5,700 Rangers/Countryside Officers within the UK. In addition there are many people working as volunteers in this area. The amount of people working in this is expected to grow each year and opportunities can be found in both urban and rural areas all over the UK. However, competition for paid work is intense and experience is essential.
Although there are no specific entry requirements for this job your chances of employment will be greatly enhanced if you have an appropriate qualification and gained some experience, through volunteering or taking seasonal/temporary work.
This will provide you with an opportunity to:
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Gain experience (confirming your expectations and therefore ensuring it is what you want to do)
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Gain some of the skills required
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Show the employer what you can do (an employer is more likely to take on someone they know they can trust and able to do the job)
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Show the employer that you have a desire to work in the industry (one of the most important aspects an employer will look for in an applicant)
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A chance for you to network with other potential employers
It may also help if you have undertaken some relevant training courses and/or gained some certificates in the use of some of the specialist equipment, such as chainsaw, sprayers, strimmers and tractor driving.
Some organisations have their own entry and training / bursary schemes, such as the Lemur (Heritage Lottery Fund) initiative. The suite of Heritage Lottery Fund ‘Skills for the Future’ projects is also likely to be of interest
Apprenticeships are available in Environmental Conservation, throughout the UK. There are no set entry requirements for these Apprenticeships, you just need to be living in the country and not taking part in full-time education. Apprenticeships are open to all age groups (above 16yrs) whether you are just leaving school, have been working for years or are seeking to start a new career. Check out the National Apprenticeship Service website which includes a vacancy service.
Jobs can be found with local government and national agencies, including Natural England, and local authorities including National Park Authorities. Charitable trusts, such as The Woodland Trust and The National Trust also have paid and voluntary positions.
Vacancies are advertised directly through the local or national press and on company websites. There are also a number of countryside careers' websites that list job vacancies.
Employment and volunteering opportunities:
Websites:
* The Countryside Jobs Service can be viewed on-line, however it is recommended that you use the subscription service for a full list of employment opportunities
Magazines and Journals
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Environment Post
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The Guardian (Wednesday)
With experience and relevant qualifications it is possible to progress to management positions, such as Senior Ranger or Countryside / Property Manager. The career structure will vary depending on the size of the organisation. It may be necessary to seek opportunities with an alternative employer in order to progress.
There is also the possibility of specialising in key conservation areas, or perhaps into environmental policy or management.
Progression usually involves taking an increasingly office-based role, often moving from a 'hands-on' job to an advisory/managerial role. Senior posts are likely to mean greater involvement with planning, budgets, people management, and the administrative aspects of environmental management, while less time is spent in the field.
For further support and information on careers in the Environmental Conservation industries you can contact the Lantra Connect Service:
Tel: 0845 707 8007 or e-mail connect@lantra.co.uk
You can also find additional information from the following organisations and publications:
Industry Information
Publications: