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:

Other skills often required include:

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