Countryside management covers all land management including urban parks and greenspace as well as rural estate workers, but is usually thought of as rangering.

Including elements of conservation, access, recreation, ecology, environmental education, wildlife and visitor management working in countryside management requires a wide range of interests and skills.

Jobs and employment

Typical jobs include Ranger, Countryside Officer, Reserves Officer, Site Manager, Countryside Worker, Estate Manager, the National Careers Service has role profiles of all of these and many more (click the links).

The National Trust stories blog has case studies and stories about Countryside Management at the Trust, read them here.

See current vacancies advertised with CJS here.

To gain the experience required volunteering is frequently a good start.

See current volunteering opportunities advertised with CJS here.

Skills, training and CPD.

There are many different skills and qualifications required to work in countryside management from practical land management techniques to running a social media stream and managing volunteers.

Practical skills frequently requested include:

• Chainsaw certificate
• Pesticide / herbicide and other chemical application
• 4x4 or ATV driving skills
• Tree identification
• Grassland management

Other skills often required include: 

• Fundraising
• Media training including handling social media
• Volunteer management
• Learn how to lead a guided walk and other events

For Countryside conservation a qualification in countryside management is usually a prerequisite.

Information and in depth articles

Upskilling the next generation: how Moulton College has evolved its Countryside Management courses to meet today’s needs, Moulton College 

From Volunteer to Ranger: My Journey into the Green Sector, Plymouth Natural Grid 

World Ranger Day, Countryside Rangers Association

Spreading the word: Rangers are important! NatureScot

Countryside ranger – a day in the life, West Dunbartonshire Council 

‘Agriculture is a great career for anyone who cares about green issues’ - Meet NFFN England manager Lottie Alves, Nature Friendly Farming Network

Full Circle Moment, Mark Crisp, Warden with RSPB 

Day in the life of a National Trust Ranger

130 apprenticeships for 130 years, National Trust

Wherever you are at in your career take it further with an apprenticeship, Surrey County Council

Working with trees - a career in woodland conservation, Macbradan Bones

50 years old and still going strong, SCRA

Farmer and Entrepreneur – How to Achieve Biodiversity in the Commercial Sector? Farmer Gow's

The next generation in nature, SCRA

Managing Visitors with Dogs - post Covid, Stephen Jenkinson

“Do you have any questions?” - why we should all be vetting potential employers, By Hanna Rennie, Conservation Officer/Countryside Ranger

Conservation & Neurodivergent Me, opinion piece from Alister Harman

Countryside Apprenticeships, Bridgwater & Taunton College

Find out what it’s like being a Countryside Ranger in the Ask The Ranger Live event, South Downs National Park Authority

Looking for a way to upskill or progress in your career or train new or upskill your employees? Then the new Level 4 Countryside Ranger Apprenticeship could be for you!

Connecting People & Place, Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust

Conservation - an accessible industry?, BCP Council

Lots more here. 

Useful organisations

Countryside Management Association

Scottish Countryside Rangers Association

National Trust

National Trust for Scotland

Natural England

Scottish Natural Heritage

Natural Resources Wales