Environmental education officer

As an environmental education officer, you'll help people learn about the natural world, conservation and sustainability. You'll develop and deliver activities for groups such as school pupils, families, local communities and visitors, encouraging them to understand environmental issues and take positive action.

Your work could include leading outdoor learning sessions and guided walks, organising events and producing educational resources. You may also train volunteers, teachers or community groups. Job titles vary and can include learning officer, outdoor learning officer and education and engagement officer.

What does an environmental education officer do?

As an environmental education officer, you'll need to:

• advise on environmental education programmes, policies and strategies, particularly in more senior roles
• carry out risk assessments for activities, particularly those taking place outdoors
• develop educational programmes and resources for schools, families, community groups and visitors
• evaluate programmes and prepare reports for your organisation, partners or funders
• liaise with colleagues, teachers, community organisations and other partners to plan and deliver activities
• organise events, workshops and campaigns to raise awareness of environmental issues
• promote programmes and activities using websites, social media, newsletters and other communications
• recruit, supervise and support volunteers and, in some roles, other staff
• research environmental topics and use relevant scientific information to support educational activities
• teach and engage groups through talks, workshops, outdoor activities and guided walks.

Environmental education officer salary

Salaries vary depending on the employer, location, level of responsibility and sector.

• Entry-level and early-career salaries are typically £24,000 to £28,000.
• With experience, you can earn £28,000 to £35,000.
• In more experienced, specialist or senior roles, your salary will be in the region of £35,000 to £40,000+.

Some roles are part time or funded for a fixed period, so check whether advertised salaries are quoted as full-time equivalent (FTE). Pay can be lower in smaller charities and voluntary organisations.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours does an environmental education officer work?

You'll usually work 35 to 40 hours a week. Evening and weekend work may be required for events, community activities and programmes aimed at families or the public.

You'll spend time both indoors and outdoors and may work outside in all weather conditions. Travel between sites, schools and community venues can also form a regular part of the job.

Fixed-term and project-funded contracts are common, particularly within charities and conservation organisations, although permanent roles are also available.

How to become an environmental education officer

A relevant degree in a biological, environmental science or educational discipline is often required. The following degree subjects in particular may be helpful:

• agriculture
• biology
• botany or plant science
• conservation biology
• ecology
• education
• environmental management
• forestry
• geography
• zoology.

Other relevant subjects may also be accepted, particularly if you have strong environmental, education or community experience. Employers often place significant value on practical experience alongside your qualifications.

Entry with a relevant HND or foundation degree, such as countryside management or one of the subjects above, is possible, particularly if you also have relevant work experience.

It's unusual to enter this career without any relevant qualifications, but it could be possible if you have substantial work experience.

A postgraduate qualification isn't usually essential, although further study in environmental science, conservation, sustainability or education may be useful for some roles. Education or teaching qualifications can be particularly helpful if your work focuses on schools and curriculum-based learning.

Search postgraduate courses in environmental science and education.

What skills does an environmental education officer need?

You'll need to have:

• communication skills to explain environmental topics clearly through talks, workshops, written resources and digital content
• environmental knowledge and enthusiasm for conservation, sustainability and the natural world
• interpersonal skills to engage confidently with people of different ages, backgrounds and levels of knowledge
• organisation and time management skills to coordinate activities, events and projects
• teamwork and initiative to collaborate with colleagues, volunteers and external organisations while also working independently
• the ability to use digital tools to create resources, communicate with audiences and manage information.

Knowledge of health and safety and safeguarding is important, particularly when you're running outdoor activities or working with children or vulnerable adults. A first-aid qualification can also be useful.

Depending on where you work and who you work with, you may need an appropriate criminal record check, such as a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in England and Wales, Disclosure Scotland check or AccessNI check. Some jobs also require a driving licence because of travel between sites.

Environmental education officer work experience

Relevant experience is very important when applying for environmental education roles. Aim to build experience both in the environmental or conservation sector and in education, community engagement or work with children and young people.

You could gain experience through paid work, volunteering, placements or internships in areas such as conservation projects, environmental charities, nature reserves, outdoor education, schools, summer programmes or youth and community work. Experience of delivering activities, speaking to groups or working outdoors can be particularly useful.

Organisations offering volunteering opportunities include:

• National Trust
• National Trust for Scotland
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
• The Conservation Volunteers (TCV)
• The Wildlife Trusts.

Employers will look for evidence that you're genuinely interested in environmental issues, so ongoing volunteering, involvement in conservation projects or participation in environmental groups can strengthen your applications.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs environmental education officers?

Environmental education officers work for a range of organisations, including:

• charities and environmental campaigning organisations
• conservation organisations and wildlife trusts
• environmental education and field studies centres
• local authorities and other public-sector organisations
• national parks, National Landscapes and organisations managing nature reserves
• schools and other education providers
• zoos, wildlife parks, aquariums and botanical gardens.

There are also opportunities with government and public bodies involved in conservation, forestry and the natural environment, as well as businesses that run environmental education, sustainability or community engagement programmes.

Job titles aren't standardised. Similar vacancies may be advertised as:

• community engagement officer
• education and engagement officer
• learning officer
• outdoor learning officer
• schools engagement officer
• youth engagement officer.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Charity Job
• Countryside Jobs Service (CJS)
• Environment Jobs
• Groundwork
• The Wildlife Trusts

Where can a career in environmental education lead?

Most training takes place on the job and through short courses, workshops and continuing professional development (CPD). You may develop your skills in areas such as environmental interpretation, outdoor learning, safeguarding, species identification, surveying, conservation techniques, project management and working with volunteers. Organisations such as the Field Studies Council (FSC) provide courses in natural history, identification, fieldwork and environmental skills.

As you gain experience, you can develop specialist knowledge of particular habitats, species, environmental issues or audiences. Depending on your experience and professional responsibilities, you may also be able to work towards environmental professional registration, such as Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP) or Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv), through a professional body licensed by the Society for the Environment (SocEnv).

There isn't one set career path. You may progress to a senior education, learning or engagement role, manage a team or programme, or take responsibility for larger projects and partnerships. You could also move into related areas such as community engagement, conservation, environmental communications, environmental interpretation, outdoor learning, project management or sustainability.

In larger organisations, you could progress into roles such as education manager, learning and engagement manager or programme manager. These positions may involve less direct delivery and more responsibility for strategy, budgets, funding, partnerships and staff.