Planit : Job Profiles : Nature Conservationist Environmental and Rural Resource Management

Nature conservationists are responsible for the practical management of the countryside. They develop policies to preserve and protect areas such as woodlands, fields, rivers, forests or coastal areas, to develop awareness and understanding and to encourage visitors.

The Work

You could be:

monitoring plants, wildlife and habitats and recording results
leading and managing staff and volunteers in conservation work or projects
investigating how developments in agriculture and industry affect the local environment through such factors as fertilisers in the soil and waste in rivers
giving advice to farmers, landowners or their advisers on helping preserve the wildlife and habitats on their land
working out the effects of developments such as housing, and advising other professionals such as planners and landscape architects
making sure people observe countryside and environmental regulations
analysing data, researching and writing reports and preparing information leaflets
giving talks and presentations to other specialists and to the public, running training courses and organising exhibitions
applying for grants and funding.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

where you work
the size of company or organisation you work for
the demand for the job.

Starting salaries for suitably qualified nature conservationists tend to be in the range £18,000 to £20,000 a year. Experienced conservationists and project managers may earn up to £30,000 and above.

Conditions

You would be based in an office or other centre, but there is outdoor work.
Outdoor work can be wet, cold or windy and you may have to do some physical work.
You might work in remote locations.
You may have to travel to a number of different sites on a regular basis.
The work can include irregular hours, evenings and weekends.
Part time and seasonal work are sometimes available.

Workforce Employment Status

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Getting In

Entry to this job can be very competitive.
You normally need a degree in conservation, countryside management, ecology, environmental science, rural resource management or a similar subject.
Entry requirements for a degree are 4-5 Highers plus some subjects at National 5. Relevant subjects include Maths, Geography or science subjects.
It can help to have a postgraduate degree in a relevant environmental subject.
Previous work experience in the countryside, including voluntary work, is very useful. For some jobs it is essential.
The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) list all local volunteering opportunities on their website at www.tcv.org.uk/
You may need a full, clean driving licence.
You should be fit as there may be a lot of active work.

Nature conservationists work for government departments and agencies such as the Forestry Commission, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), environmental research centres and voluntary conservation organisations such as the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

Workforce Education Levels (UK)

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Job Outlook Scotland

Employment

Unemployment

Percentage of workforce registered as unemployed (Scotland)

LMI data powered by EMSI UK

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

Scotland

2018

1358

2.6 %

RISE

2023

1393

United Kingdom

2018

15372

3.1 %

RISE

2023

15841

LMI data powered by EMSI UK

What Does it Take?

You need to have:

a strong interest in conservation and the natural environment
a logical and scientific approach
good spoken and written communication skills
tact and diplomacy
leadership skills
organisational skills.

You need to be:

able to analyse and interpret data
willing to work outdoors in cold, wet or windy weather
alert and observant
able to work both on your own and as part of a team
practical and able to use hand tools and equipment
energetic.

Training

You would train and gain experience on the job.
You would attend short courses, training sessions and conferences to keep up to date with new developments.
The Field Studies Council runs professional development courses for environmental professionals.
The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) offer a variety of long and short training courses in areas such as building stone walls, fundraising, leading groups to environmental conservation.
You may study part time for a postgraduate degree if you don't already have one.
You may also aim for membership of a relevant professional body.

Getting On

With experience, you may be able to gain promotion to a senior post in a government agency or voluntary body.
You could become an adviser to wildlife or conservation trusts or other environmental organisations.
You could move into teaching or lecturing or develop a new career in environmental journalism.
There can be opportunities abroad with national governments and national and international conservation organisations.

Video

Courtesy of The Institution of Environmental Sciences

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.

Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM)
Tel: 01962 868626
E-mail: enquiries@cieem.net
Website: http://www.cieem.net
Twitter: @CIEEMnet
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cieem91/

Conservation Volunteers
Tel: 01786 479 697
E-mail: scotland@tcv.org.uk
Website: http://www.tcv.org.uk/scotland
Twitter: @TCVtweets
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheConservationVolunteers

The Conservation Volunteers used to be known as the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.

Field Studies Council (FSC)
Tel: 01743 852100
E-mail: enquiries@field-studies-council.org
Website: http://www.field-studies-council.org
Twitter: @FieldStudiesC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FieldStudiesC/

Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA)
Tel: 01522 540069
E-mail: training@iema.net
Website: http://www.iema.net
Twitter: @iemanet
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/visitIEMA/

Lantra Scotland
Tel: 01738 310164
E-mail: scotland@lantra.co.uk
Website: https://www.scotland.lantra.co.uk/
Twitter: @LantraScotland
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lantrascotland/

Lantra is the Sector Skills Council for the environmental and land-based sector.

National Trust for Scotland (NTS)
Tel: 0131 458 0200
Website: http://www.nts.org.uk
Twitter: @N_T_S
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalTrustforScotland

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
Tel: 0131 317 4100
Website: http://www.rspb.org.uk/scotland/
Twitter: @Natures_Voice
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RSPBLoveNature

The RSPB Scotland owns and manages a number of National Nature Reserves (NNRs).

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)
Tel: 01463 725 000
E-mail: enquiries@nature.scot
Website: http://www.nature.scot
Twitter: @nature_scot
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScottishNaturalHeritage/

Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT)
Tel: 0131 312 7765
Website: http://www.scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk
Twitter: @ScotWildlife
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scottishwildlifetrust/

The Scottish Wildlife Trust owns and manages a number of National Nature Reserves (NNRs).

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Planit

Nature Conservationist

The Work

Pay

Conditions

Getting In

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

What Does it Take?

Training

Getting On

Video

Contacts

Career Area

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