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
Climate Change Adaptation: From Ranger to Climate Action at Scale, National Trust
How rewilding is offering hope and creating jobs, Scottish Rewilding Alliance
Learning with Life on the Edge - South Devon National Landscape
Building Skills for the Future: Apprenticeships in the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Outside the Classroom: The Benefits and Challenges of Apprenticeships in Conservation, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
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
Connecting People & Place, Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust
Conservation - an accessible industry?, BCP Council
Useful organisations
Countryside Management Association
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