Case studies: Assistant warden: Britta Koehler

Britta is an assistant warden at the National Trust. She has an FdSc in Conservation and Countryside Management from the University of the West of England, Hartpury College...

Straight after finishing university I started volunteering with the National Trust for two/three days per week. After seven months I had the chance to apply for a maternity cover as an assistant warden - and got it. Since the return of my colleague, my contract has been extended for another three months.

A degree - or at least a foundation degree - in conservation or a similar subject is usually an essential criterion for getting a job. My studies gave me a very good grounding in ecology, conservation and rural issues which are necessary to understand the reasons and impacts of the work.

Since being with the National Trust I gained my chainsaw and brushcutter licences and attended a first aid course - all essential qualifications for getting a job. I am also currently working towards an NVQ 2 in Environmental Conservation which will prove to future employers that I am capable of the various practical aspects of the job and am aware of health and safety, manual handling, adequate communication and much more.

I would love to continue working as a warden (or ranger, as we will be called soon in the National Trust), eventually being responsible for a specific site or property.

I continuously learn more about the species and habitats we protect and have been on courses to identify wild flowers and grasses, sedges and rushes. But one of the aspects I enjoy most has to be the daily contact with our visitors, meeting and greeting them and giving out information on the sites and our work.

Everyone in the sector is very committed to conservation and to their job - we have to be, as the pay never reflects all our expertise and hard work. We all work towards the common goal to protect habitats and species and to connect people with the places we care for.

The warden's/ranger's job also has a very good reputation among the general public, and people often comment on how great a job we have got. Seeing wildlife thriving and people enjoying our sites is a great reward for all the hard work we put in and does make me very proud.

The essential advice for students has to be to get work experience. I did three relevant work placements during my studies which provided me with invaluable experience and contacts. Expect to volunteer for a minimum of six months after graduation before getting your first job - everyone I know in the sector went through it, often even for a lot longer than that.

Another advice is to get some licences under your belt which will improve your chances. Typical licences required are chainsaw, brushcutter, pesticides, first aid, tractor and trailer. They are all expensive but you might get a discount at your college, get a grant (I got my chainsaw licence through the Lantra Women and Work programme) or get the organisation you volunteer for to invest in your career.