Job Overview
USK CATCHMENT PARTNERSHIP FARMER ENGAGEMENT OFFICER
Location: Brecon
Salary: GRADE 8 A GBP 36,363 - GBP 39,152
Vacancy Type: Fixed term contract – 12 months
Closing Date: 8 June 2026
Interview Date: 18 June 2026
Job Purpose
We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and highly motivated Farmer Engagement Officer to support farmer engagement across the Usk catchment, helping farmers to identify Nature-based Solutions (NbS), to develop the skills and knowledge for the necessary permissions required to develop these solutions across their farms, and identifying funding sources to support implementation.
Key Responsibilities
- Liaising with National Park Authority colleagues to identify and confirm farmers who require advice and guidance on permissions for NbS activities funded through Ffermio Bro, and other funding sources
- Undertaking farm visits alongside Ffermio Bro colleagues to understand the types of NbS activities farmers wish to undertake in order to determine the permissions required for the work
- Mapping and calculating the extent of NbS which is possible across the catchment and the funding required to implement
- Working with the Head of Natural Capital and the fundraising section to enable them to seek out the funding required to ensure successful implementation
- Helping farmers to develop the skills and knowledge for the necessary permissions required to develop NbS across their farms
- Working with internal planning colleagues and external consenting authorities to pilot streamlined, consistent processes for permissions to facilitate farmers to install NbS on their land
- Working with Ffermio Bro officers and partners across the Usk Catchment Partnership to develop farmer cluster groups and increase farmer engagement to encourage more nature-friendly farming within the catchment
- Working with the Project Manager to develop the farmer sub-group of the catchment partnership, ensuring members work collaboratively to deliver high quality guidance on farming matters to the Usk Catchment Partnership
Please note: For a full list of the job description, skills and requirements, click the link below.
Qualifications
- A degree level qualification in an environment, ecology, agricultural or land management related subject, or a qualification in an agricultural or land-based subject or significant experience which the applicant can show is directly related to the duties of the post
Knowledge Of
- Current agri-environment programmes in Wales and emerging opportunities through the Sustainable Farming Scheme
- Issues affecting farmers and rural communities in Wales
Skills
- Ability and willingness to negotiate and build relationships with farmers, land managers, and partner organisations to support collaboration to deliver on nature recovery
- Experience in supporting farm clusters or partnerships
- Experience in applying for permissions in relation to NbS projects; Good knowledge and skills in the use, analysis, manipulation and building of ecological and land management GIS software and other data
- Welsh language Level 1
Essential Criteria
- Full driving licence
- Ability and willingness to travel to sites and destinations to fulfil the requirements of the post, including across Wales and Britain to training and other events
- Ability and willingness to work alone in the countryside
- An understanding of ecosystems and nature recovery; Knowledge of the characteristic habitats and species of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
- Ability to identify broad habitat types and indicator species across a range of taxa as part of habitat assessment
- Welsh Language: Level 2
Note on Welsh Language Requirement: Please note that if you do not meet the Welsh language requirements specified, the Authority offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these requirements during your employment with us.
