Farm Advice: Catchment Sensitive Farming (Ref: 6518)

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.

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 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.
• Secure agreement and ownership in the priority area on key pollution issues and solutions.
• Achieve change in land management practices on farm and help farmers and landowners to take action.
• 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 and using incentives such as Capital Grants, SFI, FETF etc.
• Support Countryside Stewardship (CS) applications in high priority areas for water and air quality by advising farmers on suitable land management options and/or capital items, approving Capital Grants, 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 new Tackling Pollution from Slurry programme including offering advice to Slurry Infrastructure Grant applicants.
• Work with the Farm and Land Management Advice (FaLMA) 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.

Technical/Specialist Knowledge/Qualifications

• A degree in agriculture, conservation, or equivalent degree and/or relevant experience (Essential)
• Experience in providing on farm advice to farmers and being able to communicate effectively with farmers and persuade them to engage (Essential)
• Good level of agricultural knowledge and agri‑environment schemes, such as SFI, capital scheme, FETF. (Essential)
• Good knowledge of agricultural water and air pollution, and being able to recognise and identify farming practices which can cause water and air pollution (Essential)
• Basic knowledge of ArcGIS or similar GIS software (Desirable)

Personal Effectiveness

• Use clear and appropriate language, communication styles and techniques that engage your audience. (Practitioner)
• Respect the diverse needs and experience of other people, be inclusive in everything you do (Practitioner)

Work Delivery

• Manage and deliver your work to meet agreed targets and deadlines. (Practitioner)
• Handle data responsibly, understand your role in good governance, and comply with delegations, policies, and procedures. (Practitioner)

Creating Resilient Landscapes and Seas

• Understand and use appropriate agri‑environment schemes and other interventions to contribute to a healthy natural environment that benefits people and the economy (Practitioner)
• Identify appropriate solutions for avoidance, mitigation, compensation of environmental impacts and meeting shared outcomes; and identify opportunities for enhancing the natural environment (Practitioner)