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Conservation Officer

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Conservation Officer

Conservation Officer Career Details

Countryside/conservation officers are involved in the management, protection and enhancement of the local environment. The work is varied, and can cover the following areas.

Landscape conservation, which may include:

  • implementing schemes to conserve existing features, restore degraded landscapes or create new landscapes
  • environmental impact assessments and field surveys
  • promoting national and local initiatives
  • advising farmers, landowners and developers.
Nature conservation, which may include:
  • implementing schemes for the management, protection and creation of habitats
  • developing and implementing local action plans as part of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan
  • advising farmers, landowners, and the public.
Access to the countryside, which may include:
  • promoting rights of way through publications and guided walks
  • ensuring designated routes are adequately maintained and marked
  • developing areas to attract visitors
  • dealing with issues such as applications to divert rights of way
  • developing access routes, such as cycle paths and routes suitable for pushchair and wheelchair users.
Community involvement, interpretation and education, which may include:
  • organising/supporting activities and projects to encourage community participation
  • organising, training and supporting volunteers and/or paid staff
  • promoting conservation issues through talks, displays, workshops and literature
  • encouraging schools to take part in 'environmental interpretation' – pond-dipping, tree identification walks etc.
The work also involves maintaining detailed records, analysing data, writing information leaflets and press releases, preparing applications for funding or assessing applications for funding from other organisations.

Working Environment

Countryside/conservation officers typically work 37.5 hours a week. This often includes making early starts or attending evening meetings. It may be necessary to work some weekends and public holidays. Temporary and seasonal work is often available.

Although the work is office-based, a lot of time may be spent working outside in all weathers. Officers spend time travelling to meetings and to sites, so a driving licence is usually required.

Conservation Officer Related Skills

To work as a countryside/conservation officer you should:
  • have interest and enthusiasm for the countryside and conservation issues
  • be confident and assertive
  • be able to work on your own initiative and as part of a team
  • be capable of making technical and scientific issues clear to a variety of people, both verbally and in writing
  • be able to communicate effectively with individuals and with groups, through talks, presentations and meetings
  • be tactful and diplomatic
  • have good IT skills.

Conservation Officer Career Opportunities

Opportunities exist with local government, government agencies such as English Nature and the Countryside Agency, with charitable trusts such as the National Trust and the Woodland Trust and with environmental consultancies. Competition for jobs is high.

With experience and further qualifications it may be possible to progress to become senior officer or countryside manager.

There may be opportunities to work overseas for national government and conservation organisations. Some officers move into lecturing, teaching or journalism.

Further Career Information

If you would like to know more about a career as an Conservation Officer related facts, statistics, articles and websites.

Career Steps

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