Facts and Figures

• Starting salary:

  Approximately £15,000 to £27,000.

• Senior level salary:

  Experienced managers can earn more than £30,000. Higher earners are usually based in the private sector.

• Education:

  It may be possible to do an Apprenticeship or Advanced Apprenticeship with an environmentally based employer to gain an NVQ 2 or 3. Degrees in environmental, life and urban and land studies are also relevant to this role. HNDs in similar areas or in land or estate management represent an alternative route, but employers will probably require you to have experience as well.

• Skills:

  Experience in this field is valuable, so doing some voluntary work in a relevant field is a good idea. Commitment to the ideas and principles of sustainable development is important. Good communication skills and the ability to lead in discussions on the environment are useful.

• Likely employer type:

  There are a variety of agencies that deal with this area of work. Local government and statutory agencies include the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), English Nature, Environment Agency and the Countryside Agency. The National Trust, Natural England and a variety of wildlife trusts also offer relevant opportunities.

• Working hours:

  You may need to be willing to work flexible hours, depending on the post and the employer. Posts usually offer a mixture of field work and office work.

• Opportunities:

  Demand is growing, but there is a lot of competition for vacancies.

• Number of professionals:

  It is estimated that there are 55,000 people employed in environmental conservation, and approximately 200,000 volunteers.