What skills does a countryside officer need?

A countryside officer needs 30 essential skills including environmental legislation in agriculture and forestry, natural areas maintenance, plant species, pest control in plants, characteristics of plants. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace countryside officer jobs?

The AI disruption score for countryside officer is 20/100 (low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Science & ResearchScience and engineering professionalsISCO 2133

countryside officer

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.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (30)

environmental legislation in agriculture and forestryenvironmental legislation in agriculture and forestryAwareness on environmental legislation, policies, principles relevant for agriculture and forestry. Awareness of the impact on the environment of local agricultural procedures and practices. Means to ...natural areas maintenancenatural areas maintenanceThe methods to maintain the assets (both natural and constructed) of natural areas, including program development and implementation.plant speciesplant speciesThe variety of plants, trees and shrubs and their special characteristics.pest control in plantspest control in plantsTypes and features of pests in plants and crops. Different kinds of pest control methods, activities using conventional or biological methods taking into account the type of plant or crop, environment...characteristics of plantscharacteristics of plantsThe varieties, characteristics and structural and functional features of plants, depending on their habitat.animal speciesanimal speciesThe characteristics of different species and breeds of animals (relevant to the occupation).plant disease controlplant disease controlTypes and features of diseases in plants and crops. Different kinds control methods, activities using conventional or biological methods taking into account the type of plant or crop, environmental an...perform pest controlperform pest controlCarry out crop spraying pest and disease operations in line with National industry and customer requirements. Carry out slurry and fertiliser spreading in accordance with local environmental regulatio...estimate costs in farmestimate costs in farmProvide cost analysis for relevant solutions and proposed actions taking into account the farm type and long term planning principles.manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.build garden masonrybuild garden masonryCreate types of masonry specific for gardens such as walls, stairs, etc.manage waste rockmanage waste rockMove the collected debris and waste to the designated collection point and dispose it according to legal and organisational requirements.read mapsread mapsRead maps effectively.manage staffmanage staffManage 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 wor...advise on fertiliser and herbicideadvise on fertiliser and herbicideProvide advice on types of fertilisers and herbicides, their usage and best time to apply them.lead a team in forestry serviceslead a team in forestry servicesDirect a forestry team or crew and guide them to the common goal of completing a variety of forestry related assignments and tasks.identify plants characteristicsidentify plants characteristicsIdentify and classify crop characteristics. Be able to recognise different types of bulbs by name, graded sizes, field markings and stock markings.minimize risks in tree operationsminimize risks in tree operationsEvaluate risks and hazards, perform efficient actions in order to minimize risks and to restore the trees to their orginal state or to replant new ones.manage crop productionmanage crop productionPerform crop production duties such as planning, tilling, planting, fertilising, cultivating, spraying, and harvesting. Supervise all steps of the crop production and ranging process, including planti...build fencesbuild fencesPut up fences using a pothole digger, shovel, tamper, and other manual tools.plant green plantsplant green plantsPlant seeds manually or by using ground equipment.operate horticulture equipmentoperate horticulture equipmentOperate horticultural equipment and assist with servicing. Ensure that vehicles are roadworthy before starting the work.perform weed control operationsperform weed control operationsCarry out crop spraying for weeds and plant disease operations in line with National industry and customer requirements.conserve natural resourcesconserve natural resourcesProtect waters and natural resources and coordinate actions. Work with environmental agencies and resource management personnel.prepare planting areaprepare planting areaPrepare planting area and soil for planting by for example fertilising, mulching by hand or using mechanical tools or machinery. Prepare seeds and plants for sowing and planting by ensuring the qualit...execute disease and pest control activitiesexecute disease and pest control activitiesExecute disease and pest control activities using conventional or biological methods taking into account the climate, plant or crop type, health and safety and environmental regulations. Store and han...maintain technical equipmentmaintain technical equipmentMaintain an inventory of cultivation equipment and supplies. Order additional materials as needed.ensure aquaculture personnel health and safetyensure aquaculture personnel health and safetyMake sure that health and safety procedures have been established and followed across all aquaculture facilities including cages. Ensure that personnel and general public are instructed and all work a...operate turf management equipmentoperate turf management equipmentOperate turf management equipment like hedge cutters, mowers and strimmers.develop natural areas works programmesdevelop natural areas works programmesDevelop, implement and review natural areas works program (service delivery) to enable completion within allocated resources and timeframes.

Optional (17)

waste managementwaste managementThe methods, materials and regulations used to collect, transport, treat and dispose of waste. This includes recycling and monitoring of waste disposal. It excludes procedures related to waste inciner...sustainable forest managementsustainable forest managementThe stewardship and use of forest lands in a way and at a rate that maintains their productivity, biodiversity, regeneration capacity, vitality and their potential to fulfil now and in the future rele...soil structuresoil structureDiversity of soil elements and types of soil in relation to plant growth.plant harvest methodsplant harvest methodsThe various methods, timing and equipment involved in harvesting different crops and plants.fire-fighting systemsfire-fighting systemsThe devices and systems used to extinguish fires; the classes and chemistry of fire.forest ecologyforest ecologyThe ecosystems existing in a forest, starting from bacteria to trees and soil types.develop forestry strategiesdevelop forestry strategiesBuild up forestry policies in order to enhance their sustainable management and to improve communication linked to forestry operations. These plans are meant to tackle issues regarding correlated envi...apply forest legislationapply forest legislationApply laws that govern activities in forest lands in order to protect resources and prevent harmful actions such as forest clearing and logging.harvest cropharvest cropMow, pick or cut agricultural crop products manually or using appropriate tools and machinery. Taking into account the relevant quality criteria of products, hygiene prescriptions and using the approp...maintain turf and grassmaintain turf and grassEstablish and maintain fine turf, grassed fields, and synthetic surfaces for sports events. Ensure a pleasant appearance of the property grounds.conduct land surveysconduct land surveysConduct surveys to determine the location and features of natural and man-made structures, on surface level as well as underground and underwater. Operate electronic distance-measuring equipment and d...make independent operating decisionsmake independent operating decisionsMake immediate operating decisions as necessary without reference to others, taking into account the circumstances and any relevant procedures and legislation. Determine alone which option is the best...manage wastemanage wasteManage or dispose of significant amounts of waste materials and/or hazardous materials, in accordance with legislation, thereby respecting environmental and company responsibilities. Ensure required l...seed the groundseed the groundApplication of plant seed by ground equipment or manually.manage time in forestrymanage time in forestryPlan and implement the time sequence of work programmes and schedules regarding the execution of forestry activities.support volunteerssupport volunteersFollow up volunteer activity.perform outdoor cleaning activitiesperform outdoor cleaning activitiesAdapt the cleaning working methods and procedures to the environmental conditions and adapt to weather conditions such as rain, strong wind or snow, when this affects the performance of the equipment ...