Catchment Sensitive Farming Adviser

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 298178**Salary**:

- £27,273**Job grade**:

- Higher Executive Officer- Lead Adviser**Contract type**:

- Permanent**Type of role**:

- Environment and Sustainability**Working pattern**:

- Full-time, Job share, Part-time**Number of jobs available**:

- 2Contents

Location

About the job

**Benefits**:
Things you need to know

Location
- North West EnglandAbout the job

**Job summary**:

- These positions are based at Kendal, Ghyll Mount, CA11 9BP**Job description**:
Do you have a passion for nature and the environment? Do you want to make a real difference? Do you enjoy working in a team? Do you enjoy speaking to farmers?

If this appeals to you, a career at Natural England offers rewarding opportunities to secure environmental improvements and play your part in creating a better future for people and nature.

The priority work Natural England is delivering includes:

- Working with farmers and landowners to develop greener food production methods
- Establishing a Nature Recovery Network to help wildlife thrive
- Monitoring environmental changes to identify and help reduce the effects of climate change
- Advising on plans for new developments to maximise gains for nature
- Providing ways for people to better connect with nature, including green social prescribing

We are the Government’s advisor for the natural environment, playing a vital role in delivering the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, an ambitious vision which brings new opportunities to protect and enhance and to achieve real outcomes for the environment.

**Catchment Sensitive Farming**

Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) is delivered by Natural England in partnership with Defra, the Environment Agency, and the Forestry Commission as a part of NE’s farm advice service. CSF operates through a network of Farm Advisers and local partners. CSF delivers Defra’s 25-year plan ambitions for water quality, air quality (ammonia) and natural flood mitigation through nature-based solutions. We work alongside farmers and partners to find practical ways to take action for the natural environment.

The next few years will see significant changes to the support and schemes available to farmers. Associated with these changes will be improvements to Natural England’s farm advice service. This role will evolve in tandem with these changes.

Farm Advisers work in partnership with Farmers, Water Companies, National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), Flood Authorities and others. All Farm Advisers will have the opportunity to enrol in a structured training programme.

Find out more about Catchment Sensitive Farming at:
Job description

The role of the CSF Farm Adviser is to:

- Evaluate and understand the local environmental priorities within a catchment.
- Work with the local team to develop information and advice campaigns for farmers and landowners. Including group events, farm visits and newsletters.
- Undertake targeted farm visits to assess environmental priorities.
- Work with farmers to find appropriate mitigating solutions and prioritise actions.
- Advise farmers on the range of tools available including specialist training and advice, and incentives such as Countryside Stewardship, Sustainable Farming Incentive and Slurry Infrastructure Grants.
- Offer general advice on wider Natural England priorities 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.
- Promote and provide advice on the Sustainable Farming Incentive Offer
- Keep up to date on emerging themes, trends and incentives relevant to the role.
- Communicate, advocate, and promote CSF activity internally with Natural England colleagues and externally with farmers, land managers and partners.
- Work with Natural England colleagues and partners such as the Environment Agency, water companies and catchment partnerships to deliver a joined-up approach including developing formal partnerships where appropriate.
- Work with the local Contract Manager to provide timely information for tenders for group events and specialist farm advice. Conduct quality control on technical farm reports to agreed processes and deadlines.
- Record interactions and advice given.

The post holder will be required to visit farms regularly during their day-to-day work.

The post holder will be required to hold a full UK driving license.

Some national travel may be required, which might involve overnight stays.

In NE Area teams, Farm Advisers are supported by a CSF Coordinator, a Team Leader and Contract Manager for the procurement and delivery of specialist training and advice. Nationally, Farm Advisers are supported with project planning tools, campaigns, and services.

**Benefits**

Wherever possible Natural England accommodates requests for both full-time and part-time hours and