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.
Agriculture & farming
- Agricultural Consultant at SAC Consulting
- Principal Agroforestry Researcher at the Organic Research Centre
- Farm Environment Advisor, FWAG East
- NFFN SE England Sustainable Farming Officer
- Conservation Grazing Stockperson with Grazing Management
Arboriculture
- Tree Seed Collector and Processor with Forestart
- Arborist & Director of Toller Tree Care
- Chartered Forester with Pryor & Rickett Silviculture
- Arboricultural Consultant, AWA Tree Consultants
- Senior Tree Surveyor at a Local Authority
Community Engagement
- Marine Pollution Officer at a Wildlife Trust
- Community Engagement Officer (Tourism) at North York Moors National Park Authority
Countryside Management
- Lead Ranger for the National Trust
- Countryside Ranger with Hart District Council
- Countryside Ranger with Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust
- Landscape Officer at a National Park Authority
- Landscape Officer with Warwickshire County Council
- Senior Project Manager - Habitats at Thomson Environmental Consultants
- Countryside Ranger for the Parks and Countryside Service at Durham County Council
- Park Ranger with a Borough Council
- Conservation & Nature Reserves Manager, Paul Aubrey at Carmarthenshire County Council
- Contractor - Site Supervisor with Environmental Land Management Solutions Limited
Ecology and Biodiversity
- Ecologist at an Ecological Consultancy
- Ecologist (surveyor) at an Ecological Consultancy
- Ecologist for a District Council
- Director, Principal Ecologist & Botanical Specialist, Joshua Styles, Director of Styles Ecology Ltd
- Mycologist, self employed Chris Knowles
Environmental Education, interpretation and volunteers
- Forest School Leader at a Primary School
- Engagement and Education Officer with Amphibian & Reptile Conservation
- Outreach and Education Officer for Fylingdales Moor Environmental Stewardship Scheme
- Education & Wellbeing Lead at a rewilding project on a farm
- Lead Outreach Adviser at the Woodland Trust
Horticulture
- Horticulturalist at a Zoo
Marine
- Head of Marine at Cumbria Wildlife Trust
- Physical Oceanographer (PhD Student) with the British Antarctic Survey
Policy
- Marine Policy Officer (Scotland) with a wildlife charity
- Licensing Officer, Amy Kidd at NatureScot
Rights of Way
- Highways and PROW Officer for Isle of Man Government
Rural Advice
- Regional Rural Adviser for Country Land & Business Association (CLA)
Science
- Environmental Scientist, Charles Hughes at the Canal & River Trust
Support and admin services, including promotion and membership
- A Day in the Life of a National Park admin worker, Nicola Startup at North York Moors National Park Authority
- Marketing & Communications Lead, Emma Brisdion at The Rivers Trust
- Marketing and Communications Executive, Lauren Collins at Hawk Conservancy Trust
- Social Media Manager, David Fettes at National Trust for Scotland
Sustainability
- Sustainability Officer, Groundwork
Teaching
- Lecturer in Land-based studies at Easton College
- Trainer/Assessor – Countryside and Water Environment at Bridgwater & Taunton College
Volunteer Management
- Volunteer Development Officer with Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority
- Volunteer Development Officer at Scottish Wildlife Trust
Wildlife
- Wildlife Guide - tour guide
- Connecting the Dragons Project Officer for Amphibian & Reptile Conservation
- Freelance Conservation Biologist & Wildlife Photographer, Lara Jackson
- Senior Zookeeper at the British Wildlife Centre
- Section Head - Primates, Small mammals & Birds for Cotswold Wildlife Park
- Senior Wildlife Officer working with RSPCA
- Rescue Director at Prickles & Paws Hedgehog Rescue
- Wildlife Officer working at a National Landscape
- Red Squirrel Officer with Lancashire Wildlife Trust
Youth work
- Project Officer with North Wales Wildlife Trust
These sites also have a good range of job profiles