Hi
It's one of those jobs where no two positions are likely to be the same!! I've been a Ranger for three different local authorities, and each position has had a different emphasis. Saying that, you will put yourself in a strong position to be at least shortlisted if you can acquire some - or even all! - of the following:
1. Background knowledge - either via a degree / vocational qualification. Different employers will put a greater / lesser importance on this (some prefering practical experience) but such is the competition for these jobs nowadays that often a relevant formal qualification will be a baseline for sifting out the serious applicants. An understanding of environmental law, ecological processes and human impacts should underpin your decision-making.
2. Practical skills and experience. Some courses may enable you to acquire these in situ or you may have to attend training courses in your own time and at your own expense. It's difficult to specify exactly which ones to gain because that will depend on the duties and location of the post. A couple of examples -
Practical conservation works may involve the use of chainsaws, brushcutters / clearing saws, knapsack sprayers (pesticide application), 4WD vehicles (anything from quad bikes to tractors) and a whole range of hand tools. Again, a formal qualification in any of these is useful; NPTC ones are increasingly seen as the industry standard. Be warned though that they don't come cheap. If possible, become a volunteer with your local Ranger Service / National Trust / Wildlife Trust / BTCV group. Increasingly there are funds available to these groups to train up volunteers in basic skills (including getting 'tickets' - the qualification). In addition you will gain the experience of using tools correctly and of working within a group - employers will expect you to lead and safely manage such groups of volunteers yourself.
Any kind of Rights of Way work (footpaths etc.) will require an understanding of RoW law and practical skills such as carpentry for stile / gate making or repair. Depending upon the location hedge-laying or drystone-walling may be useful too!
Experience is important; knowing how to use a tool is great but only by using it properly over time do you become competent and efficient with it. The same can be said for various skills so there is no substitute for getting hands-on. Again, volunteering to help an environmental organisation is a recognised way of achieving relevant experiences.
3. People skills. In all likelyhood you will have a lot to do with the local populace! For many Ranger Services the support of the local population is the only thing that stops the axe when financial cuts are sought! You may be expected to devise and lead a guided events programme, run a local 'Friends of...' volunteer group, approach landowners regarding RoW's, talk to local community groups, run holiday playscheme activities, attend local shows and devise curriculum-based activities or visits for local schools.
You therefore have to like people! I don't know of many Rangers nowadays who have no public contact so instead you need to be able to talk and deal with people in a variety of ways. An ability to pitch your spiel at different age groups is essential - primary age children will need a whole different approach to a subject than that devised for adults. Tact and diplomacy are good manners to acquire too!
4. An interest in the natural world. Hopefully you already have this if you are considering this type of job! However, if you can show particular skills or experience then so much the better. Identification and surveying skills are useful here; if you are leading a guided walk I can make a safe bet that you will be asked to identify various things by the attendees!
5. IT skills. An odd one this you might think but even Rangers need to use computers! In my last position I had to compose reports and Business Plans, manage a financial spreadsheet, use email and the internet, produce presentations and interpretitive materials, and utilise a GIS package for maps and work orders. Occasionally I even went outside!!
6. A realistic idea of the job! Many people feel a Ranger spends all day in a Landrover or leaning on a gate watching deer (I wish!!) While I admit to having done both it should be borne in mind that many Ranger duties are not statutory and so must be justified in the light of public (usually) expenditure. Don't let this put you off however for it really is a fantastic job.
I hope that looking down these suggestions doesn't put anyone off. It does look a bit daunting put bear in mind that these are made only in the light of my experience - they are not tablets of stone! You also don't need them all at once - many will develop once you are in the job and any decent employer will contribute to your CPD.
I'm sure contributions from other countryside staff would be welcomed too.
Hope this helps - good luck.
B
This is not meant to be exhaustive
but cannot afford to retrain or give up my current wage! 
Re: Is anyone on here a countryside Ranger/warden? 
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