Whilst CJS doesn’t want to turn away any genuine potential countryside workers we do want people to know it's not all sunshine and roses and in so doing perhaps help organisations from receiving speculative enquiries and make sure the recruiter's task is made easier by ensuring they receive only relevant applications from suitable candidates who have done their homework and know exactly what it is they're looking at and applying for.

Here are some profiles of the many varied job roles you might find across the sector. Written by people actually working in the field explaining exactly what the job entails, the qualifications and skills they need and offering a little advice to people looking at a similar career.

If you would like to submit a profile of your job role there are more details here.

Arboriculture

• Tree Seed Collector and Processor with Forestart

Community Engagement

• Marine Pollution Officer at a Wildlife Trust

Countryside Management

• Lead Ranger for the National Trust
• Programmes Officer for a National Park
• Countryside Ranger with Hart District Council
• Countryside Ranger with Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust

Ecology and Biodiversity

• Ecologist at an Ecological Consultancy
• Ecologist (surveyor) at an Ecological Consultancy
• Ecologist for a District Council
• Ecologist, Laura Thompson at Total Ecology
• Ecologist, James Fielding at Arbtech Consulting Ltd

Environmental Education, interpretation and volunteers

• Coordinator Volunteers & Education at a Council run Country Park
• Forest School Leader at a Primary School
• Engagement and Education Officer with Amphibian & Reptile Conservation

Horticulture

• Horticulturalist at a Zoo

Policy

• Marine Policy Officer (Scotland) with a wildlife charity

Rights of Way

• Highways and PROW Officer for Isle of Man Government

Support and admin services, including promotion and membership

• Project and Funding Officer with NatureScot
• Parliamentary Officer with an Environmental Charity 
• What it takes to be a conservation communicator..., Carys Evans, Wildlife Trusts Wales

Teaching 

• Lecturer in Land-based studies at Easton College
• Trainer/Assessor – Countryside and Water Environment at Bridgwater & Taunton College
  

Wildlife

• Wildlife Adviser, SW England and Consultancy Manager for Conservation for National Trust
• Wildlife Guide - tour guide
• Ornithological Warden with Manx Wildlife Trust
• Connecting the Dragons Project Officer for Amphibian & Reptile Conservation
• Reintroduction and Translocation Assistant at the Aspinall Foundation
• Freelance Conservation Biologist & Wildlife Photographer, Lara Jackson
• Senior Zookeeper at the British Wildlife Centre
• Section Head - Primates, Small mammals & Birds for Cotswold Wildlife Park

Youth work

• Project Officer with North Wales Wildlife Trust 

A Focus on Nature has created a Careers Advice section where you will find interviews with people in the sector. Find out more here