Nature conservation officer

Nature conservation officers manage and protect the natural environment for current and future generations by promoting sustainability, educating others and developing and shaping policy

You will manage both species and habitats by undertaking regular monitoring and assessment and implementing conservation projects.

Part of the role is to encourage people to use the countryside and to promote awareness and understanding of the natural environment through community engagement.

You'll also help to develop policy by creating conservation strategies and plans, which may have local and national impact.

Job titles within this sector are varied and you could be known as a:

• conservation assistant or technician
• project officer or biodiversity officer
• sustainable development officer.

Types of nature conversation

Areas of conservation include:

• grassland
• woodland
• forests
• coastal areas
• moorland
• mountains
• rivers
• marine habitats.

Responsibilities

As a nature conservation officer, you'll usually be involved in several key areas of conservation, including:

• habitat and species management
• site management
• research and reporting
• policy and planning
• public engagement and education.

The role is varied and you will typically need to:

• regularly monitor and assess natural habitats and species populations, through activities such as field surveys and data collection and analysis
• plan and implement conservation projects to restore or preserve habitats and species
• prepare and implement annual management plans based on ecological surveys and scientific observation
• contribute to the selection of, and assist with casework for, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and National Nature Reserves (NNRs)
• manage a site or sites, ensuring they are managed effectively and sustainably
• prepare and share reports on the effectiveness of conservation projects with key stakeholders
• educate the local community, including schools and colleges, and raise awareness of nature conservation work
• promote the concept of sustainability to the public, colleagues and fellow professionals through talks, tours, literature, displays and workshops
• contribute to planning and policy development for sustainable management, including input into environmental impact assessments
• promote and implement local and national biodiversity action plans in partnership with local and national statutory and voluntary organisations
• provide advice to clients, employers, community groups, landowners, planners and developers
• maintain and develop your own knowledge and skills, especially relating to developments in policy, legislation and European and international regulations
• organise, supervise and train supporting paid staff and volunteers
• maintain effective records using IT database systems
• prepare applications to get funding and grants and assess applications for funding from other organisations
• liaise with the media to publicise organisation or conservation sites
• deal with enquiries from the public
• educate young people, and those considering entering the profession, through talks and seminars to local colleges and universities.

Salary

• Typical starting salaries range from £19,000 to £24,000.
• With experience you can earn in the region of £25,000 to £30,000.
• Experienced managers may earn in excess of £35,000.

Salaries vary based on a range of factors, including your location, the type of employer you work for (e.g. a charity, local government), your education, experience and skills.

Salaries are generally higher in the private or consultancy sector.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

You'll typically work 37 to 40 hours a week, but will need to be flexible due to the nature of the work. Working hours may include some early starts and evenings, for example if you are conducting fieldwork or surveys, or are participating in community engagement events. You may also need to work some weekends and public holidays.

You're more likely to follow a standard working week when undertaking office-based tasks such as data analysis and report writing.

Part-time work, flexible hours and hybrid working may be possible.

What to expect

• The balance between fieldwork and office-based work can vary significantly. You will visit natural sites as part of your fieldwork. Office work incudes planning, data analysis, reporting and other administrative tasks. More senior roles are likely to have less fieldwork and are more focused on strategy, planning and policy.
• Fieldwork takes place outdoors in all weathers, sometimes in remote places, which can be challenging.
• The work requires considerable contact with the public and other stakeholders and, increasingly, with the media.
• You may need to travel to visit sites and to attend conferences and meetings in the UK or abroad.

Qualifications

Relevant degree subjects include environmental, life and urban and land studies. The following subjects may increase your chances:

• biology/bioscience
• botany/plant science
• earth science (physical)
• ecology
• geography
• land/estate management
• marine sciences/oceanography
• planning
• surveying
• sustainable development
• wildlife conservation
• zoology.

Although a postgraduate degree isn't essential, it can be helpful, particularly if your degree is in an unrelated subject. Search postgraduate courses in environmental conservation.

It may be possible to get into the profession by taking an apprenticeship such as the Level 2 Countryside Worker apprenticeship or the Level 4 Ranger apprenticeship and then working towards becoming a nature conservation officer through further training and qualifications. Apprenticeships combine paid work with part-time study.

Most jobs vacancies ask for experience, so getting relevant work experience should be a priority. To get full-time employment, even for short-term contracts, you must show that you are committed to nature conservation through being involved in projects. Many people working in this sector start in voluntary work to gain practical skills and experience, build up contacts and network, and get involved in community engagement.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• a keen interest in the natural environment and an understanding of nature conservation in practice
• excellent written and verbal communication skills
• presentation skills
• excellent interpersonal skills to develop strong relationships with the local community, key stakeholders (such as community organisations, land owners and managers, businesses and statutory agencies) and volunteers
• organisation and planning skills to deliver a range of nature conservation activities, talks and initiatives
• analytical skills for evaluating data related to conservation initiatives
• enthusiasm and passion for engaging with diverse communities and people from diverse backgrounds
• project management and time management skills
• a collaborative approach to work, but with the ability to work on your own initiative with a high level of autonomy
• negotiating skills and diplomacy to work with a variety of stakeholders, who may have different priorities when it comes to conservation
• a flexible and creative approach to work with an openness to new ideas
• administrative and IT skills.

You will also need a driving licence.

Work experience

It's vital to get some experience or conservation work - either paid or voluntary. Some degrees include a placement year option. This provides the opportunity to gain practical experience, increase your skills and develop a network of contacts. There may also be options to undertake shorter placements during your course. Working holidays are also a great opportunity to develop useful experience.

Experience in conservation, including field skills, (e.g. plant and animal identification, habitat management and survey methods), land management and planning, project management, environmental education and community engagement is all valuable.

There are opportunities to get involved in voluntary projects to develop these skills with organisations, such as:

• The Conservation Volunteers (TCV)
• National Parks UK
• National Trust and National Trust for Scotland
• RSPB
• The Wildlife Trusts

TCV also offers structured training as a volunteer officer, with responsibility for a specific area of work.

National Parks UK runs a Green Pathways scheme, which includes a Green Leadership programme aimed at giving young people the opportunity to take on a leadership role in protecting nature.

Some environmental consultancies may offer work experience if you've completed your degree. Some Masters courses offer project placements at organisations such as the Environment Agency (EA), which can help you get started.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Local authorities, government departments, utility companies, consultancies, nature reserves, national or country parks, private estates, engineering companies (particularly those concerned with road building) and housing developers are all likely to employ nature conservation officers.

Specific government bodies and executive non-departmental public bodies include:

• Environment Agency (EA) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
• Natural England
• Natural Resources Wales
• NatureScot

Relevant charities include:

• The Conservation Volunteers (TCV)
• Field Studies Council (FSC)
• Marine Conservation Society
• National Trust and the National Trust for Scotland
• RSPB
• The Wildlife Trusts.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Countryside Jobs Service (CJS)
• The ENDS Report
• Environment Job
• Environment Jobs

Professional development

You'll be expected to have the necessary qualifications, experience and skills on taking up the post.

Training is often carried out on the job and you will typically learn from more experienced staff. You may get training in specific job-related skills such as new software or ecological monitoring techniques, or training to develop your project management or community engagement skills.

You'll be able to access a number of training opportunities, which can be completed on the job. A list of training courses is available on the Countryside Jobs Service website. These include short courses, long courses, distance learning opportunities and webinars. Courses are also provided by organisations such as the Field Studies Council (FSC)Ìý.

You could ask your employer if they will support you while you undertake other types of continuing professional development (CPD), such as studying for a Masters. They may also pay for membership of professional bodies, such as the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).

Becoming a student member of a professional institute such as the CIEEM or a member of a relevant organisation such as The Wildlife Trusts is an excellent way to network.

Career prospects

There is considerable competition at all levels for jobs in conservation work and applicants must be able to show they have the necessary skills, experience and passion. Take advantage of any opportunities to improve or add to your skillset and make sure you network and make contacts to improve your chances of progressing. You should also try to gain experience, wherever possible, of leading projects and building up your management skills.

Funding may be an issue, with some projects being short-term or dependent on attracting further funding. Changes to national and international policy can also affect the opportunities available. For example, growing awareness of the importance of biodiversity and habitat protection may increase the number of opportunities available.

You may be able to specialise in a particular area of nature conservation work, such as:

• education
• habitat restoration
• policy development
• species management.

Specialisation may lead to advisory or consultancy roles or specific project management roles.

With experience, there are some opportunities, usually within larger organisations or projects, to move into a manager role with responsibility for staff (such as nature conservation officers, trainees, apprentices and volunteers), resources and budgets.

It may be possible, once you have experience of managing large-scale conservation programmes, to become a head or director of conservation/conservation projects. You'll need skills in leadership, financial and practical project management to be successful in this type of role. Senior posts are usually more strategic in nature.

You may have to move organisations and possibly relocate to gain promotion. Moving between the public, voluntary and private sectors may help you to gain experience and promotion.

There are some opportunities to move into policy making. With further qualifications and training, you could move into a career in research or academia.