Countryside Manager

Also known as:

Conservation Manager

Introduction

Countryside managers are responsible for managing, maintaining and developing areas of the countryside for use by the public. They are concerned with both the conservation and use of these areas.

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Work Activities

Countryside managers are responsible for managing, maintaining and developing areas of the countryside for use by the public. These areas may be country parks, nature reserves or woodlands.

Countryside managers encourage public interest and involvement in the countryside while planning and carrying out conservation plans.

Long-term development may involve discussions with local residents and winning the support of national organisations that are concerned with nature.

On a daily basis, managers supervise the construction and maintenance of amenities such as paths, fences and walls. They also carry out management duties such as recruiting, supervising and training staff, managing budgets and problem-solving. Countryside managers may spend a lot of time in an office, but they also visit sites.

Among a range of other possible activities for countryside managers are advising landowners on the protection of the countryside and wildlife, carrying out or supervising research projects, advising on the possible environmental effects of planning applications and giving talks to local groups and organisations.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

The work requires you to combine managerial, marketing and financial skills with knowledge of geology, climate, ecosystems, land and water forms, and plant and animal life.

You should be enthusiastic about the countryside and about conservation issues. This should be combined with a sound understanding of scientific and technical aspects of the natural world.

You should have strong management skills, including good problem-solving, time management and project management skills, You must not only be able to be part of an effective team, but able to lead and motivate team members.

Good interpersonal and communication skills are important, combined with confidence and assertiveness. You must be willing to explain scientific and technical details to a variety of audiences and to be an effective advocate for the environmental issues that you seek to promote.

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Pay and Opportunities

Salary rates for countryside managers vary depending on employer and the level/range of responsibility.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Countryside managers earn in the range of £18,000 - £24,000 a year, rising to £25,000 - £29,000. Higher earners can make around £33,000 a year, and higher salaries are possible.

Countryside managers work a basic 37.5-hour week. However, early starts, evening and weekend work may be required.

Employment opportunities can be with local councils, conservation bodies such as the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and with National Park authorities.

There is very strong competition for posts.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have gained skills and knowledge through relevant work experience, eg, in leisure management, environmental or conservation work or town or country planning.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course could be the way in. No formal qualifications are usually required, but you should check individual course details.

The University of London Centre for Development, Environment and Policy (CeDEP) offers a range of relevant postgraduate courses, by distance learning.

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New Developments

Some people working in this occupation may be involved in the green jobs sector in areas such as conservation or countryside management.