Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Working Life

The traditional role of the park warden, in some parts of the country, has changed considerably. Some park wardens manage various park amenities, such as bowling greens, tennis courts or putting greens. However, the work is now much more concerned with ground maintenance duties.  
 
Another development has seen park wardens become responsible for working with school or community groups and, in some places, co-ordinating volunteer workers.  
 
Park wardens usually make sure that the park, its buildings and amenities are kept clean, tidy, in a reasonable state of repair and safe to use. They may still make bookings and issue tickets in some parks. Records need to be kept of cash taken and facilities used by the general public. They may also help to staff food and drink facilities.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Conduct field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions.
• Prepare and present illustrated lectures and interpretive talks about park features.
• Plan and organise public events at the park.
• Provide visitor services, such as explaining regulations, answering visitor requests, needs and complaints, and providing information about the park and surrounding areas.
• Develop environmental educational programmes and curricula for schools.
• Research stories regarding the area's natural history or environment.
• Perform emergency duties to protect human life, government property, and natural features of park.
• Confer with park staff to determine subjects and schedules for park programmes.
• Assist with operations of general facilities, such as visitor centers.
• Plan and develop audio-visual devices for public programmes.

Further Information

• Countryside Officer- from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Many Park Wardens begin their careers as gardeners or garden care assistants or allied horticulture. Training may be mostly on the job.

Courses in gardening, landscape design, horticulture may build your options in this career. These are available in educational institutes throughout the country.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: Greenkeeping.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: horticulture, garden and landscape design, garden and parks supervision.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Arboriculture, Applied Horticulture.

Search for Apprenticeships

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €27k - €77k

Salaries vary based on employer, role, duties, and conditions from ranger, Warden €27k-€51k to super intendent. 

Parks Superintendent Salary Scale 
€57,624 -€61,566 - €63,908 - €65,367 - €66,825 - €68,288 - €69,747 - €70,135 - €71,573 €73,067(NMAX) - €75,498(LSI) - €77,936(LSI2)

Data Source(s):
PAS / LGMA/ Gov.ie/ Indeed

Last Updated: February, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: National government administrative occupations, Local government administrative occupations, Officers of non-governmental organisations.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

The strong employment growth rate for this occupation relates mainly to growth between 2020 and 2021, with employment levels falling by 7,000 since 2022. Despite this there was a relatively high level of recent job hires for this occupation in 2023, and it also featured strongly in online job adverts (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) data. At 59%, this occupation had the highest share with third level qualifications across the group potentially leading to a level of skills mismatches.

Job openings are likely to continue, particularly given the size of the occupation and the slightly higher than average share of older workers. Upskilling and reskilling may also be required for those already employed in these occupations in order to reach targets set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan 2024 in areas such as in digital skills.

• OPW - The Office of Public Works

  • Head Office Jonathan Swift Street Trim Co. Meath C15 NX36
  • (046) 942 6000
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• City Councils in Ireland

  • Click Here

• National Parks and Wildlife Service

  • (01) 888 3242
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Coillte

  • The Irish Forestry Board, Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow
  • Click Here