The staff - what they do

Meet the staff of Wokingham's Countryside Service. Click the link at the bottom of the page to read the Staff Structure.

Countryside Ranger - Education

'My job title is Countryside Ranger – Education. This means that as well as all the usual rangering such as opening and closing sites, site patrols and site maintenance I have a particular responsibility for education work. One of the main focuses of this work is co-ordinating a schools programme for groups that wish to come to the park to study the local wildlife and environment. Most of the programme is aimed at Key Stages 1 and 2 and nearly 3,000 children visit Dinton Pastures every summer to study the environment. I also work with Bracknell and Wokingham College to promote adult eduction courses.

I also get involved with other education work such as youth projects, public events like nest box building and running an environmental club, the Junior Rangers, for children, with the help of some members of the local community. '

Countryside Officer - Biodiversity

'My job title is Countryside officer - Biodiversity. Biodiversity simply means variety of life. I have responsibility for implementing and developing the Authority's Biodiversity Action Plan - BAP, which aims to identify, protect and restore local species and habitats, with the involvement of local people.

One of the main focuses of my job is to provide advice to owners of important wildlife sites on the appropriate management of their land, for the benefit of biodiversity. A number of flagship species have been chosen and included in the BAP. These are species that have been locally identified as a priority for conservation. An example of this in action is the way we are trying to encourage otters to return to the River Loddon by constructing a network of artificial holt sites throughout the river valley with the help of volunteer groups.

Wokingham's BAP is focused on local partnerships in order to achieve wildlife benefits. I work with many of the districts voluntary groups, such as the Friends and Highwood or the Holt Copse Conservation Volunteers, government agencies, eg. English Nature, the Environment Agency, non-government organisations, ie. the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, Hawk and Owl Trust, and many local farmers and businesses.

It has taken me nearly 10 years to get my ideal job, including 6 years as a Countryside Ranger at Dinton Pastures Country Park, 2 years as an Assistant Conservation Officer with Surrey Wildlife Trust and 2 years at Farnborough College of Technology studying for my HND - Higher National Diploma - in Conservation Management.'

Community Ranger

'My job title is Community Ranger, which means that I work with volunteer groups, local clubs, work experience students, seasonal staff and wildlife groups. I am responsible for arranging regular practical conservation tasks and workshops for the general public. I also arrange practical tasks for schools, brownies, scouts, etc and encourage people to volunteer for the Countryside Service.

Before I got this job I passed my A levels and completed a National Diploma in Land and Countryside Studies at Berkshire Agricultural College. I also obtained training certificates for using a chainsaw, brushcutter - a big kind of strimmer, tractor with mounted equipment, quad bike and I am a qualified first-aider.'

Countryside Manager

'My responsibility within the team is to ensure that the Service as a whole is operating effectively and efficiently. To achieve this the whole team needs to be performing well, to be happy in their work and clear in their objectives. We have a Service plan which sets out the main objectives for the forthcoming 3 years and we operate in an open atmosphere where all team members are valued equally.

The job is very much a people job. Most of my time is spent dealing with people-related issues. This is a huge change from when I started my career in conservation when most of my time was spent on practical conservation work.

The journey through my career to date has taken 17 years and 4 job changes, taking me from Northumberland to Berkshire.'

Countryside Officer – Operations

'My job title is Countryside Officer - Operations. This means that I am responsible for ensuring that all the day-to-day maintenance, general opening and shutting and any other site issues, are dealt with.

I also have responsibility for the recreation and conservation management plans of our sites and for ensuring that the Countryside Rangers working here carry out their daily duties safely and in accordance with these management plans. I also have a responsibility and interest for the 2 fisheries within the parks.

This is the job that I knew I wanted from an early age, mainly because I am a keen angler. I was lucky enough to be offered a student placement here 12 years ago and was promoted to Ranger, Project Co-ordinator and finally Countryside Officer.'

Countryside Officer - Education and Public Rights of Way

'My job, like many countryside jobs, is very varied and requires many different skills and flexibility. The most important requirement is knowledge of conservation and keen interest in wildlife issues, as well as some legal knowledge of public rights of way.

I specialise in public rights of way issues and manage a small team to ensure the district's footpaths, bridleways and byways are well maintained and free from obstruction for the public to use. Some of this involves works on the ground but also liaising with landowners or the legal team to resolve issues such as diversions or re classifying rights of ways.

I also manage a small education team which organises everything from school visits to teacher training days. This is really rewarding work, especially seeing the enthusiasm children have for seeing wildlife in the Park.

Publicity and fundraising is another part of my job. I help to raise money from businesses and government organisations for interpretive and educational projects. Private sponsors vary from local supermarkets such as Sainsbury's to South West Trains, Oracle International and National Grid.

I have worked in countryside management jobs for 15 years as a Ranger and an Interpretation Officer. I studied for a post grad diploma in Countryside Management at Manchester University. My first degree was in Fine Arts at Leeds University.'

Estate Worker – Countryside and Public Rights of Way

My job title is Estate Worker – Countryside and Public Rights of Way. I am responsible for all aspects of country parks maintenance. I help to look after our 13 countryside sites ranging from large country parks, with lakes and woodland, to small nature reserves.

This is a very practical job and I have to turn my hand to anything from chainsaw work (such as tree felling), fence repairs, path resurfacing, installing memorial benches, planting reed beds, building fishing swims and maintaining most of the machinery we use.

For me this is a dream job which I have been doing less than 3 years. Prior to this I was in IT for 20 years but when I found out about volunteering opportunities at Dinton Pastures there was no going back. From those humble beginnings I built up my experience and was lucky enough to be offered this job when my predecessor left.

Countryside Administrators

'As 1 of 2 Countryside Administrators, I am responsible for providing admin support to the Countryside Service, ensuring admininstration, financial and I.T. based systems are operating effectively and for providing an excellent standard of customer care. Promoting the Countryside Service and supporting the team with their work go hand in hand with this.

You need to be very adaptable, almost unflappable and be able to do at least 3 things at once in this job. You will also be able to hear our names shouted out, very loudly, when anyone has a problem!

I have been working for the Countryside Service since April 2004, and am thoroughly enjoying it. Before that I worked in a number of jobs including the Tea Cosy Cafe at Dinton Pastures! I have been a 'fan' of Dinton for many years, walking there as often as time would allow and am delighted that I am now a part of the Countryside Service - and what a wonderful setting to work in!

I am the second administrator and am involved with all the usual duties but have particular responsibility for administration of the Public Rights of Ways. I am interested in conservation issues and find that the Countryside Service is a great place to learn and get involved.'