Introduction
When you go out for a walk in the countryside, have you ever
wondered who decided where the footpaths should lead, who ensures
that they are kept clear of vegetation and who arranged for the
picnic area to be located in a particular spot? Well, it's very
likely that a countryside officer was involved in all of these
things. There are about 5,000 countryside (or woodlands)
officers working in the environmental services departments of local
authorities. They support and assist countryside managers in
the management of country parks, woodland areas, nature reserves,
fishing areas and public rights of way. Their main aims are
to encourage visitors to the countryside, promote awareness and
understanding about the natural environment, and, at the same time,
protect the natural habitats of plants and animals.
Work Environment
Countryside officers spend about half of their working week in the
office or at meetings and half of their time out and about.
Site visits are necessary for carrying out surveys or meeting with
landowners, for example. These take place as and when
required, regardless of weather conditions; countryside officers
may find themselves outside during strong gales, heavy rain or
snow.
Daily Activities
The work of a countryside officer varies from council to council.
Typical duties could include:
- looking at how to develop individual areas of
countryside. For example, should a piece of woodland be
developed in order to attract visitors, or should it be protected
in order to sustain certain species of wildlife/plant life;
- managing visits to the countryside - trying to prevent any
damage to the land by ensuring that footpaths are well-signposted,
litterbins are provided, and car parking is available;
- educating people on how to look after the countryside, via
leaflets, information boards, etc;
- carrying out research and writing reports, which will help form
the authority's long-term conservation policies;
- talking to landowners and advising them on how to manage their
land in ways which benefit the surrounding
wildlife/countryside;
- monitoring the quality of the natural environment - going out
on site, conducting surveys, arranging for scientific experiments
to be carried out;
- organising and overseeing the maintenance of country parks and
woodland areas;
- inviting schools to take part in 'environmental interpretation'
- pond-dipping, looking for wildlife, tree-identification
walks;
- offering advice to people who want to carry out their own
conservation projects;
- dealing with complaints - about overgrown public rights of way,
for example;
- meeting with agencies such as the Countryside Council for Wales
to discuss conservation schemes;
- meeting landowners to discuss schemes that are planned adjacent
to their land;
- looking at planning applications and advising on the potential
disruption to the countryside, of a new road, for example;
- giving talks on the countryside to local groups;
- dealing with paperwork and writing reports.
Skills & Interests
- Communication skills are essential. Countryside officers
deal with landowners, other local authority officers and members of
the public on a daily basis.
- Officers need to be confident and assertive, yet sympathetic to
the points of view of others.
- Tact and the ability to negotiate are important.
Countryside officers also need to be:
- well-organised and able to plan ahead;
- able to write reports and present them at meetings;
- interested in and enthusiastic about working with plants and
animals in their natural environment.
Entry Requirements
There are no specific entry requirements but, as competition is
high, many entrants have a degree/higher national diploma.
Relevant subjects include environmental sciences, biology,
surveying, geography, ecology and countryside/environmental
management. Experience gained through voluntary or temporary
work is essential. It may be possible to start in lower-level
practical jobs and work your way up. NVQs/SVQs in
Environmental Conservation are available at Levels 2 and 3. A
driving licence is very often required.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
The competition for jobs in conservation is very high, therefore,
the more experience you have the better. A lot of the
physical work associated with managing the countryside is seasonal
and therefore, temporary jobs are often available.
Countryside officers with the required qualifications can progress
to become senior officers or countryside managers, with the
responsibility of managing a team of officers, and controlling a
budget. Opportunities exist with Government agencies like the
Countryside Council for Wales and with charitable trusts such as
the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Woodland Trust
and the National Trust.
Further Information & Services
Countryside Council for Wales www.ccw.gov.uk
Environment Council www.the-environment-council.org.uk
Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management www.ieem.net
Lantra www.lantra.co.uk
The Conservation Volunteers www.tcv.org.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.