At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide on-the-ground advice to farmers for sustainable farming practices.
- Company: Join Natural England, the government’s adviser for the natural environment.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience in environmental conservation and training opportunities.
- Other info: Fixed term role with potential for career growth in environmental sectors.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on nature and support farmers in sustainable practices.
- Qualifications: Passion for the environment and willingness to engage with farmers.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
Join us in shaping a future where nature and people thrive. Whether you're drawn to hands-on conservation or playing a vital part behind the scenes, your work at Natural England will support lasting benefits for the environment and society.
Our Role
Natural England is the Government’s adviser for the natural environment and the Nature regulator with a wide range of statutory duties and powers. We provide the evidence, expertise and advice to recover Nature and shape better places for people to live. We do this working through and with others.
Strategic Outcomes for Nature
- Recovering Nature - Increased scale and quality of places where nature thrives.
- Building Better Places - Greener homes and infrastructure create healthier, more investable places, recognising we live better where nature thrives around us.
- Improving Health and Wellbeing - Build nature into everyday life so people can support, access and benefit from nature, wherever they live.
- Delivering Security through Nature - Nature helps us adapt to the threats of a changing climate and improves our national security, supporting more resilient food production, healthy soils, clean and plentiful water and clean air.
Job description
The Role
Natural England (NE) delivers a wide range of farm advice, including the Catchment Sensitive Farming Programme. Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) is a partnership programme between NE, Defra, the Environment Agency and the Forestry Commission. CSF provides advice to farmers to reduce diffuse water and air pollution from agriculture as well as to reduce natural hazards (floods) and support farms through agricultural transition. CSF operates through a network of locally based farm advisers (CSF farm advisers) and partner organisations to deliver Defra’s 25-year plan ambitions for water quality, air quality (ammonia) and sustainable water management through nature-based solutions.
The primary focus of the role is to work with and provide on the ground advice to farmers. The role-holder will also work with partner organisations, the agricultural industry, and colleagues from the Defra group to build our capabilities to deliver a range of priority outcomes for NE. All CSF farm advisers will have the opportunity to enrol in a structured training programme.
Key Tasks
- Evaluate and understand environmental priorities for CSF within the specified catchment(s), using national data validated locally.
- Work in priority areas to develop and lead specific CSF training, information and advice campaigns for farmers and landowners.
- Give bespoke advice on-farm to farmers and organise and deliver, with the aid of specialists, further advice, group events and workshops.
- Work with farmers to identify key pollution issues on farm and relevant practical solutions.
- Support farmers and landowners to take action to achieve change on farm leading to improvements for nature.
- Communicate, advocate, and promote CSF activity with Natural England, Environment Agency and Forestry Commission colleagues and externally with farmers, land managers and partners.
- Work with NE colleagues and partners, such as water companies and catchment partnerships, to deliver a joined-up approach including developing formal partnerships where appropriate.
- Drive delivery via a range of tools including specialist training and advice (own or procured through contractors) and using incentives such as Capital Grants, SFI, FETF etc.
- Utilise Environment Land Management Schemes (ELM) by advising farmers on suitable land management options and/or capital items and giving advice on water and air quality options/items in Higher Tier applications.
- Offer general advice on other CS options such as those addressing biodiversity and/or signpost applicants to additional advice from other sources where targeting overlaps.
- Support Defra’s Sustainable Slurry Management programme including offering advice to Slurry Infrastructure Grant applicants.
- Work with the Environment Training and Facilitation Framework (ETAFF) Contract Manager to provide timely information for tenders for group events and farm advice.
- Conduct quality control to agreed processes and deadlines.
- Record interactions and advice given.
- Monitor the effectiveness of engagement with farmers and landowners.
- Understand the relevant Diffuse Water Pollution Plan(s) and Shared Nitrogen Action Plan(s) and incorporate into CSF plans where appropriate.
- Frequent farm and site visits, and partnership working are required.
- The post holder will be required as part of regular, day-to-day work to visit farms and walk over fields and around farm buildings within the geography of the relevant area. Sometimes this may be in inclement weather conditions.
- It is essential that the post holder has a current, valid, full UK driving licence and is willing to drive. Some national travel may be required, which might involve overnight stays.
- This post is a fixed term one year maternity cover.
6557 - Farm Advice: Catchment Sensitive Farming employer: Natural England
Natural England is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a work environment where employees can make a tangible impact on the natural environment and society. With a strong emphasis on professional development through structured training programmes, our collaborative culture encourages innovation and teamwork, allowing you to thrive while contributing to vital conservation efforts. Located in a dynamic setting, this role offers unique opportunities to engage with local farmers and partners, ensuring that your work not only supports environmental recovery but also enhances community well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 6557 - Farm Advice: Catchment Sensitive Farming
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Natural England and their Catchment Sensitive Farming Programme. Understanding their mission and values will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info about the role and might even lead to a referral, which can boost your chances of landing that job.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your skills align with the key tasks mentioned in the job description. Practise your responses so you can confidently demonstrate how you can contribute to improving health and wellbeing through nature.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to reinforce your interest in the role and keep you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace 6557 - Farm Advice: Catchment Sensitive Farming
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Nature:When writing your application, let your love for the environment shine through! We want to see how your values align with our mission at Natural England. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your commitment to conservation and sustainability.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for the Catchment Sensitive Farming role. Highlight your experience in providing advice or working with farmers, and don’t forget to mention any specific knowledge you have about water quality and sustainable practices. We love seeing how you can contribute to our goals!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details directly. Plus, you’ll find all the information you need about the role and our organisation there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Natural England
✨Know Your Environment
Familiarise yourself with the key environmental priorities related to Catchment Sensitive Farming. Understand how Natural England's work aligns with broader goals like improving water quality and supporting sustainable agriculture. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a farm adviser, you'll need to communicate effectively with farmers and partner organisations. Prepare examples of how you've successfully conveyed complex information in the past. Highlight any experience you have in delivering training or workshops, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to discuss specific instances where you've identified issues and implemented practical solutions. Think about challenges related to pollution or land management you've encountered and how you addressed them. This will show your proactive approach and ability to support farmers effectively.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the Catchment Sensitive Farming Programme and how it integrates with other initiatives at Natural England. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
