Countryside officer
Also known as: rural areas officer, park ranger, countryside officers, natural areas maintenance team leader
About this occupation
Countryside officers are responsible for a range of activities that manage and maintain the natural environment and associated public access and recreation. They encourage visitors to open spaces/the countryside, promote awareness of the natural environment and protect and preserve the open space/countryside for future enjoyment.
Essential skills and knowledge
- animal species
- manage staff
- environmental legislation in agriculture and forestry
- lead a team in forestry services
- perform pest control
- develop natural areas works programmes
- plant disease control
- plant species
- manage budgets
- operate landscaping equipment
- prepare planting area
- conserve natural resources
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Park Naturalists (O*NET 19-1031.03). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Provide care for park program animals.
- Conduct field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions.
- Provide visitor services, such as explaining regulations, answering visitor requests, needs and complaints, and providing information about the park and surrounding areas.
- Prepare and present illustrated lectures and interpretive talks about park features.
- Plan and organize public events at the park.
- Assist with operations of general facilities, such as visitor centers.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Realistic, Investigative
Top skills: Speaking, Active Listening, Writing, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness
US median pay: US$73,010 a year (2025), 25,950 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (4.5)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.1)
- Environmental ScienceO*NET: Biology + GeographyVery important (4.0)
- GeographyO*NET: GeographyImportant (3.4)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaImportant (3.1)
- HistoryO*NET: History and ArcheologyImportant (3.0)
- SociologyO*NET: Sociology and AnthropologyImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Tour Guides and Escorts
- Forest and Conservation Technicians
- Recreation Workers
- Range Managers
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Conservation Scientists
- Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Foresters
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
- Historians
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.