Nature conservation officer
Nature conservation officers work to protect, manage and enhance the local environment. This can include grassland, woodland, forests, coastal areas, moorland, mountains and rivers. Depending on the region, officers might also work in marine habitats.
Part of their role is to encourage people to use the countryside and promote awareness of and understanding about the natural environment. They also develop policy which may have local and national impact.
In conjunction with their counterparts in other voluntary and statutory organisations they set and promote targets within national biodiversity action plans and advise and negotiate with employers.
With a remit to educate and raise awareness of environmental issues, nature conservation officers work with all sectors of the local community including local schools and colleges.
Job titles within this sector are varied and include: sustainable development officers, project officers or biodiversity officers, conservation assistants and technicians.
Tasks typically involve:
Relevant degree subjects include environmental, life and urban and land studies. In particular, the following degree subjects may increase your chances:
Relevant HND subjects include life sciences and urban/land studies. An HND in land/estate management may also increase your chances. HND entry is possible with substantial experience, but graduates are usually preferred.
For those with non-relevant degrees, a relevant postgraduate qualification might be an advantage, preferably a course that balances the first degree, for example a management course to complement a science degree. Some employers see a Masters as the minimum qualification required and entry may be difficult without one.
Most advertised posts ask for experience and this should be your first priority. The importance of paid or voluntary experience cannot be over emphasised. To gain full-time employment (even on short-term contracts) you have to demonstrate that you have become involved and shown commitment. Many people working in this sector started in voluntary work, building up contacts and experience.
Potential candidates need to show evidence of the following skills:
Becoming a member of a relevant organisation such as The Wildlife Trusts or a student member of a professional institute is an excellent way to network. Environmental consultancies may be prepared to offer work experience if you have completed your degree. Many Masters courses offer project placements at organisations such as the Environment Agency (EA) and this may be a good way in.
Be prepared to do any relevant work, however menial, and stick at it (the odd day here and there will not be enough). Get out in the field and build up practical skills and experiences such as laying hedges, taking photographs and identifying species. Any experience in conservation, management, education or planning will be invaluable.
National and international working holidays are great opportunities to develop valuable experience. The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) , the National Trust (working holidays) and the National Trust for Scotland (thistle camps) all provide short residential camps, where tuition in a wide range of skills is provided alongside experience in practical conservation.
Organisations such as UNA Exchange offer the chance to volunteer on a range of projects in countries around the world, assisting with local conservation schemes. The BTCV also offers six months' structured training as a volunteer officer, with a job description and responsibility for a specific area of work (depending on the location).
This is a competitive area with few full-time positions, but many voluntary, seasonal and short-term opportunities. Paid casual work is rarely advertised. Instead, this work is usually offered to existing volunteers who have shown commitment.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Entrants are usually expected to have the necessary qualifications, experience and skills on taking up the post. A number of training opportunities are then open to post-holders. On-the-job training may include short, in-service courses. The Countryside Jobs Service (CJS) lists a vast array of opportunities in the training section of its website. The Field Studies Council (FSC) offers a range of courses that will enhance the skills of anyone working or aspiring to work in this sector.
The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) arranges training for a range of environmental qualifications for employees, students, professionals or people with a personal interest in this work area. Depending on budgets, local authorities and other employers may pay for staff to work towards courses, as well as NVQs or SVQs. Employers may also pay for membership of professional bodies, such as the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) , or support staff while they undertake other types of continuing professional development (CPD) activity, such as studying for a Masters.
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 have to 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 experience and look good on a CV. To further career development you might consider volunteering to sit on the local biodiversity steering group or undertaking work for a local office of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) . You could also participate in schemes run through your local Groundwork , or join Friends of the Earth or Greenpeace UK . By getting involved in organisations such as these you will be able to meet key players in this community, which should create more opportunities for future development.
Promotion often means moving organisation and/or location and usually taking an increasingly office-based role, often moving from a 'hands-on' job to an advisory or managerial role. Senior posts are likely to mean greater involvement with planning, budgets, people management, and the administrative aspects of environmental management, while less time is spent in the field. To gain experience and promotion, it is normally necessary to move between the public, voluntary and private sector. The number of jobs is increasing and the opportunities for career development are improving in all sectors.
Local authorities, government departments, utilities companies and other private companies, such as 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.
Nature conservation officers are employed in small numbers in a wide range of organisations. Some of these include:
In the larger public sector organisations, there are likely to be posts for different levels of experience, which offer internal promotion prospects; while in the voluntary sector, jobs may be offered on a fixed-term contract, because they are subject to European or government funding.
Recruitment agencies occasionally handle vacancies.
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