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Countryside ranger

Alternative titles for this job include

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

Average salary (a year)

£20,000 Starter

to

£28,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 44 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays

Meet Liam

Liam's day to day tasks vary from surveying wildlife to communicating with volunteers and local schools.

1 minute 10 second watch

View transcript

Hi I’m Liam and I’m a countryside ranger for North Northamptonshire Council.

Of a morning, it’s generally making sure the park is safe, doing play area checks, making sure all the access is open. Sort of habitat work, so clearing the park to bring in new light or open up areas for meadow. Like surveys of wildlife. Just so we get an idea of what's on the park and we can then tailor the management to what's living here.

Good communication is pretty vital, with colleagues or like members of the public. Volunteers, like explaining tasks.

Week in, week out, we've got Wednesday morning volunteer group and then the Wednesday afternoons we have the local school come down to give an hour or so of their time. We also have work experience.

So just protecting for me just an area like this for members of the public to visit is just vital, for communities and everyone just to enjoy and get close to nature really.

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

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

More Information

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

More Information

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

More Information

Volunteering

You could get useful experience by volunteering through:

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.

More Information

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.

Further information

You can find more details about working in the countryside from The National Trust and Green Jobs for Nature.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

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

Restrictions and Requirements

A driving licence may be required for some jobs.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

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

We've identified this as a green job

As a countryside ranger, you can work on tree planting schemes to help reduce the effects of flooding. This can have a positive impact on the environment.

Find out more about green careers

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.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

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

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

"A Wilder Walkmill" Countryside Worker L2 Apprentice

  • Wage: £13,741 a year Annually
  • Location: SKIDDAW STREET, KESWICK

Countryside Ranger Apprentice

  • Wage: £23,650 a year Annually
  • Location: High Street, Esher, Surrey
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Environmental Conservation and Countryside Management Advanced Extended Certificate (Level 3)

  • Provider: CAPEL MANOR COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Enfield

Environmental Studies and Conservation Level 3

  • Provider: ACTIVATE LEARNING
  • Start date: 11 September 2025
  • Location: Guildford
Find courses near you

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