Profession nature conservation officer

Nature conservation officers manage and improve the local environment within all the sectors of a local community. They promote awareness of and understanding about the natural environment. This work can be very varied and involve projects related to species, habitats and communities. They educate people and raise overall awareness of environmental issues.

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Personality Type

  • Social / Realistic
  • Investigative / Enterprising

Knowledge

  • Ecology

    The study of how organisms interact and their relation to the ambient environment.

  • Biology

    Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.

  • Fire prevention procedures

    The regulations concerning fire and explosion prevention, and the equipment, systems and methods used in it.

  • Environmental legislation

    The environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.

Skills

  • Promote sustainable management

    Contribute to planning and policy development for sustainable management, including input in environmental impact assessments.

  • Keep task records

    Organise and classify records of prepared reports and correspondence related to the performed work and progress records of tasks.

  • Monitor nature conservation

    Evaluating and monitoring features of nature conservation interest in habitats and sites.

  • Respond to enquiries

    Respond to enquiries and requests for information from other organisations and members of the public.

  • Advise on nature conservation

    Provide information and suggested actions relating to the conservation of nature.

  • Promote sustainability

    Promote the concept of sustainability to the public, colleagues and fellow professionals through speeches, guided tours, displays and workshops.

  • Ensure compliance with environmental legislation

    Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are compliant with environment regulations and best practices.

  • Implement biodiversity action plans

    Promoting and implementing local and national biodiversity action plans in partnership with local/national statutory and voluntary organisations.

  • Report on environmental issues

    Compile environmental reports and communicate on issues. Inform the public or any interested parties in a given context on relevant recent developments in the environment, forecasts on the future of the environment, and any problems and possible solutions.

  • Conduct research on flora

    Collect and analyse data about plants in order to discover their basic aspects such as origin, anatomy, and function.

  • Assess environmental impact

    Monitor environmental impacts and carry out assessments in order to identify and to reduce the organisation's environmental risks while taking costs into account.

  • Conduct research on fauna

    Collect and analyse data about animal life in order to discover the basic aspects such as origin, anatomy, and function.

  • Manage staff

    Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.

  • Analyse environmental data

    Analyse data that interpret correlations between human activities and environmental effects.

  • Protect wilderness areas

    Protect a wilderness area by monitoring uses and enforcing regulations.

  • Educate people about nature

    Speak to a variety of audiences about e.g. information, concepts, theories and/or activities related to nature and its conservation. Produce written information. This information may be presented in a range of formats e.g. display signs, information sheets, posters, website text etc.

Optional knowledge and skills

fish biology aquatic ecology business management principles ecological principles analyse ecological data conserve natural resources forest ecology animal welfare legislation molecular biology applied zoology wildlife projects investigate pollution botany manage contracts manage volunteers brief volunteers educate public on fire safety monitor wildlife animal biology support volunteers ensure the safety of endangered species and protected areas work within communities wildlife estimate duration of work natural areas maintenance conduct environmental surveys write work-related reports work in outdoor conditions conduct educational activities coordinate educational programmes advise on soil and water protection

Common job titles

  • Park ranger law enforcement (le)
  • Development officer
  • Gift planning officer
  • Donor engagement officer
  • Park ranger law enforcement
  • Natural resources police officer (w)
  • Park ranger journey
  • Grants specialist
  • Annual fundraising officer
  • Park superintendent