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Nature conservation officers manage, protect and improve areas of environmental importance through conservation work, publicity and scientific monitoring.

Typical job responsibilities include:

• managing conservation awareness events such as talks, workshops and guided walks

• helping with volunteer activities and conservation projects

• increasing awareness of conservation in the community

• general administration

• monitoring biodiversity

• preparing conservation reports, plans, publicity materials and displays

• fieldwork

• general maintenance projects

• developing visitor attractions

• wildlife observation

• species surveys

Working with the public is a key feature of the job.

Qualifications and training required

You normally need a degree in order to become a nature conservation officer. The only way to enter the profession without a degree is to build up a substantial amount of work experience.

While graduates from any degree discipline can become nature conservation officers, an appropriate degree gained in a subject such as biology, zoology, geography, botanical or plant sciences, or environmental sciences is useful. Postgraduate qualifications can also be helpful – particularly for graduates without a relevant degree. However, relevant work experience is often more important than qualifications, and many employees consider it to be a necessity.

Key skills for conservation officers

• Computer literacy

• Organised and self motivated

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

• Persistence

• Commitment

Typical employers of conservation officers

• Charities

• The National Trust

• Local authorities

• Wildlife trusts

• Government organisations

• Conservation groups such as The Conservation Volunteers (TCV)