Nature conservation officer job profile

Nature conservation officers manage and protect the environment by promoting sustainability, educating others and providing information and analysis

Part of the role is to encourage people to use the countryside and promote awareness and understanding of the natural environment. You'll also help to develop policy, 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 - depending on the region you work in.

Responsibilities

As a nature conservation officer, you'll need to:

educate all sectors of the local community, including schools and colleges, and raise awareness of environmental issues and nature conservation work
promote and implement local and national biodiversity action plans in partnership with local and national statutory and voluntary organisations
contribute to planning and policy development for sustainable management, including input into environmental impact assessments
provide advice to clients, employers, community groups, landowners, planners and developers
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)
evaluate and monitor features of nature conservation interest in habitats
maintain and develop your own knowledge and skills, especially that relating to the knowledge of developments in policy, legislation and European and international regulations
promote the concept of sustainability to the public, colleagues and fellow professionals through talks, tours, literature, displays and workshops
organise, supervise and train supporting paid staff and volunteers
maintain effective records using IT database systems
prepare applications to get funding and grants
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 generally range from £19,000 to £24,000.
Salaries at senior level or with experience (e.g. after 10 to 15 years in the role) are generally between £20,000 and £30,000.
Experienced managers may earn £35,000+.

Salaries are generally higher in the private or consultancy sector. Consultancy work (freelance or self-employment) has increased in recent years, as developers will often call in environmental experts to assist with their planning applications.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Unsocial hours, such as early starts and evening meetings, may typically be included in your working hours as a nature conservation officer. It may also be necessary to work some weekends and public holidays.

What to expect

The work can be rough and extremely demanding, often outdoors in all weathers - particularly the case in entry-level roles.
The balance between field work and office-based work varies considerably, with more administration, statistical analysis and report writing associated with senior positions.
You'll usually be responsible for your own admin, so will need to be organised and have good IT skills.
The work requires considerable contact with the public and, increasingly, with the media.
As environmental work is often developed from international policy or good practice, travel abroad to conferences and meetings may be common in some posts.

Qualifications

Entry with a relevant HND is possible with substantial experience, but this is a competitive area and graduates are usually preferred.

Relevant degree subjects include environmental, life and urban and land studies. These subjects may increase your chances in particular:

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

If your degree isn't relevant, a related postgraduate qualification might help.

Search postgraduate courses in environmental conservation.

Most advertised posts ask for experience, and this should be your first priority. The importance of paid or voluntary experience cannot be overemphasised. To gain full-time employment, even for short-term contracts, you must demonstrate that you have become involved and shown commitment. Many people working in this sector start in voluntary work to build up contacts and experience.

Skills

You'll need to:

have good administrative and IT skills
communicate effectively through talks and presentations
produce literature such as leaflets
be confident in leading walks
have some knowledge of geographical information systems (GIS).

Work experience

Any experience in conservation, management, education or planning will be invaluable. National and international working holidays are great opportunities to develop valuable experience.

Short residential camps, where tuition in a range of skills is provided, alongside experience in practical conservation are all provided by organisations such as:

You could consider volunteering overseas, assisting with local conservation schemes, such as those offered by UNA Exchange. TCV also offers structured training as a volunteer officer, with responsibility for a specific area of work (depending on the location).

Environmental consultancies may be prepared to offer work experience if you've completed your degree. Some Masters courses offer project placements at organisations such as the Environment Agency (EA) and this may be a good way in.

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 employers include:

Environment Agency (EA)
Field Studies Council (FSC)
National Trust
Natural England
Natural Resources Wales
Nature Scot
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
The Conservation Volunteers (TCV)
The Wildlife Trusts.

Look for job vacancies at:

Recruitment agencies that handle vacancies include:

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

Professional development

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

Once you start your employment, you'll be able to access a number of training opportunities, which can be completed on the job. These include the courses offered by the Countryside Jobs Service. The Field Studies Council (FSC) also offers a range of courses designed to enhance the skills of anyone working, or aspiring to work, in this sector.

Training for a range of environmental qualifications for employees, students, professionals or people with a personal interest in this area of work can be arranged through The Conservation Volunteers (TCV). Depending on budgets, the local authority or employer that you work for may contribute or fully pay for you to complete work-related courses, as well as NVQs or SVQs.

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).

Career prospects

In many organisations there is no established career hierarchy, although in some environmental consultancies there may be a path from ecologist to senior ecologist and then on to principal ecologist.

There is considerable competition at all levels for jobs in conservation work and applicants must be able to demonstrate an enthusiasm and passion for the issues. A good way to do this is by participating in other activities, which will add to your experience and enhance your CV.

To further your career development you might consider volunteering to sit on the local biodiversity steering group or undertaking work for a local office of the. You could also participate in schemes run through:

Getting involved in organisations such as these can create opportunities to network and meet key players. However, it may still be necessary to move organisations and possibly relocate to gain promotion.

More senior posts usually involve a greater degree of office work, including planning, budgets, people management, and the administrative aspects of environmental management. Moving between the public, voluntary and private sectors may help you to gain experience and promotion.

Nature conservation officer