COUNTRYSIDE MANAGER

Salary

Graduate with experience: £18,000 - £27,000
Employee with 10-15 years in the role: £25,000 - £35,000
Senior Post (responsibility for staff, policy development): £35,000 to £45,000

Main Employers

• Government Bodies: Defra, English Nature, Environment Agency, Countryside Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage
• Local and Regional Government
• Charities: Wildlife Trusts, RSPB, National Parks Authorities,
• National Trust, Forest Enterprise
• Nature Reserves, National and Country Parks, Private Estates
Job Profile

A Countryside Manager takes responsibility for managing countryside and visitors' services for a local authority. Countryside Management seeks to marry the sometimes conflicting requirements of rural communities and recreational users of the countryside while conserving the essential qualities that make the countryside a special place. The focus of the work is on managing the countryside to benefit everyone by ensuring that the requirements of rural communities and those of the users of the countryside are met. The work is mainly office-based with frequent local visits to sites. The Countryside Manager is usually the first point of contact for the public, particularly when making complaints.

Role and Responsibilities

Jobs will vary according to each employer. However you could expect to be involved in but not limited to:

• Developing and implementing countryside management plans
• Establishing relations with internal and external stakeholders and dealing with enquiries from the public
• Designing landscaping schemes
• Promoting the countryside through events, leaflets and displays
• Implementing local and national BAP’s in partnership with local, national, statutory and voluntary organisations based on ecological surveys and scientific observation
• Contributing to environmental impact assessments for sustainable management
• Contributing to the selection of sites for special scientific interest and national nature reserves
• Monitoring habitats and sites
• Promoting the concept of sustainability and providing advice to the public, clients, community groups, landowners, planners and developers through talks, tours, literature, displays and workshops
• Recruiting, training and managing staff and volunteer groups
• Budgeting, fundraising and submitting financial bids
• Liaising with the media
• Supervising and training staff and volunteers
• Liaising and networking with other bodies and partner organisations
• Providing information on council policy in relation to the countryside
• Planning long-term developments and policy making

Qualifications

There are specific Countryside Management courses, which include a mixture of environmental and social sciences. Almost everyone has a degree, HND or NVQ/SVQ, but experience is even more significant. The ability to prioritise and think strategically is also important, while any experience of a heritage environment would be advantageous.

Relevant Degree and HND subjects include:

• Biology
• Botany/Plant Science
• Earth Science (Physical)
• Ecology
• Environmental Science
• Geography
• Land/Estate Management
• Planning
• Surveying
• Sustainable Development
Potential applicants should be able to show evidence of:
• Good communication, leadership and negotiating skills
• Ability to lead and motivate staff
• Ability to make decisions and solve problems
• Good time management within set budgets and limited resources
• Ability to cope with frequent changes in work content
• Well developed planning, project management and financial control abilities

Career Opportunities

A minimum of three to five years working in the countryside, as a ranger for example, is essential. Often you will need practical experience in estate skills or land management, as well as some management experience. Computer skills, including database management, desktop publishing and the Internet are a great advantage. Competition for posts is fierce. There is limited movement of staff within authorities, so vacancies are few and promotion opportunities may require a move out of local government.