I BELIEVE I have the best job in the world; it has the perfect balance of office and outdoor working, writes Osian Jones, countryside area ranger.

I started as a community access officer for the Coast and Countryside Team within Ceredigion County Council in August 2016, with the aim of establishing the adopt a path scheme and help promote and maintain footpaths and bridle ways within the county.

I spent an ideal childhood outdoors helping my father in his role with the then Forestry Commission Wales, assisting him to fell trees and install fences, as well as learning more about our native wildlife, plants and flowers.

Having him as a role model meant that I caught the conservation bug at an early age, and have aimed for a career in this sector ever since.

As a teenager I managed to get a few placements, firstly with Snowdonia National Park Authority helping with general maintenance; with the Countryside Council for Wales surveying plants and working with livestock; and then with Gwynedd Consultancy working on the A470 road improvement schemes around Dolgellau, carrying out basic surveys and environmental checks.

I am originally from Blaenau Ffestiniog in north Wales and after starting my education in Glynllifon agricultural college I went on to gain a BSc in Countryside Management and an MSc in Environment Impact Assessments from Aberystwyth University and Bangor University in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

I am one of the fortunate few who have been able to find a full time job in a relevant discipline within the local area.

I have always dreamed that I would someday have a career where I would help to improve the natural environment, and make a difference to people’s lives by offering them the chance to do the same and enjoy the wonderful countryside that Ceredigion and Wales has to offer.

Read the full feature in this week’s Cambrian News, now on sale