A Conservation Officer in the UK works to protect and manage the natural environment, including wildlife, habitats, and landscapes. These professionals are often employed by organisations such as local councils, national parks, environmental charities, or government bodies like Natural England. Their duties may include monitoring species and habitats, developing conservation policies, running educational programmes, and enforcing environmental laws. Conservation Officers spend time both outdoors conducting surveys and indoors writing reports, planning projects, and engaging with the community. The role can be physically demanding and often requires a passion for nature and strong communication skills.
Conservation Officers in the UK typically earn between £20,000 and £35,000 per year, with experienced officers or managers earning up to £40,000.
There are approximately 3,500 to 4,000 conservation officer roles across the UK, depending on government and charity funding.
Most Conservation Officers work around 37 hours per week, although this can include weekends and evenings when working on projects or surveys.
Focuses on protecting specific animal species and their habitats, often working in nature reserves or national parks.
Specialises in safeguarding marine environments and species, working along coastlines or with marine protected areas.
Conducts surveys and research on plants, animals, and habitats to inform conservation projects and policies.
Choose GCSEs and A-Levels such as Biology, Geography or Environmental Science.
A foundation in science subjects will help you understand ecosystems, species and environmental issues. A-Levels or equivalent qualifications in Geography, Biology or Environmental Science are particularly valued. You may also want to consider volunteering or participating in school eco-clubs to build early experience.
Apply for a degree in a related field such as Ecology, Environmental Science or Conservation Biology.
Most Conservation Officer roles require a degree. Choose courses that offer practical fieldwork, placements or modules in conservation and habitat management. Universities may also offer sandwich years or opportunities to study abroad, which can further boost your experience.
Gain hands-on experience by volunteering with local wildlife trusts, charities or nature reserves.
Volunteering is essential for building the practical skills and knowledge needed for conservation work. Look for opportunities to work on habitat restoration, species monitoring or public engagement projects. These experiences are highly valued by employers and help you build useful contacts in the sector.
Apply for internships or placements with environmental agencies, councils or NGOs.
Work placements provide insight into the day-to-day work of Conservation Officers and allow you to develop skills in project management, communication and species identification. Some university courses include mandatory placements, but you can also apply independently to organisations such as Natural England, the RSPB or The Wildlife Trusts.
Look for roles such as Assistant Conservation Officer, Ranger or Project Support.
Entry-level roles allow you to build further experience and often involve practical site management, public engagement and reporting. Employers include local councils, government agencies like Natural England, or environmental charities. Tailor your CV to highlight your practical skills and any relevant volunteering or placement experience.
Join professional bodies and pursue further training or qualifications.
Consider joining organisations such as the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) to access training, networking opportunities and professional recognition. You may also take short courses in survey techniques, GIS mapping or species identification to enhance your expertise and progress to more senior roles.
Ecologists study the relationships between plants, animals, and their environment, often conducting fieldwork and ecological surveys to inform conservation efforts.
Environmental Education Officers develop and deliver educational programmes to raise public awareness about environmental issues and conservation.
Park Rangers protect and maintain national parks and nature reserves, ensuring the safety of wildlife and visitors while promoting conservation.
Please note that this may not be a comprehensive list of available apprenticeships. To view a more complete collection, visit the Find an apprenticeship service.
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These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!
A Conservation Officer and a Countryside Officer both focus on managing and protecting natural environments, often working within rural or protected areas. They require similar knowledge of environmental policies, wildlife conservation, and outdoor management skills, making them closely aligned in qualifications and professional objectives.
You can get into this job through:
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree before applying for work as a countryside officer.
Relevant courses include:
You'll usually need:
You may be able to start as a trainee countryside officer after completing a course at an agricultural college, such as:
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
You could apply to do a Countryside Ranger Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.
This can take around two and half years to complete.
You'll usually need:
You may be able to join an organisation as a countryside ranger, or assistant officer, and work your way up through on-the-job training and promotion.
Volunteering is a good way to get practical experience, meet new people and develop your network of contacts.
You can find opportunities with:
You could join the Countryside Management Association for professional development training.
You can get more details about working in the countryside from:
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
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