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| Title |
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Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer for the Hampshire Avon Catchment |
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| Reference |
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(Please mention Stopdodo/Environment Jobs in your application) |
| Sectors |
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Arboriculture, Forestry, Horticulture
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| Location |
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England (South West) - UK
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| Salary |
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£25,215 |
| Type |
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Fixed Term and Permanent Roles |
| Status |
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Full Time |
| Level |
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Mid Level |
| Deadline |
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11/10/2020 |
| Company Name |
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Natural England |
| Contact Name |
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| Website |
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Further Details / Applications |
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| Description |
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This position can be based in Blandford Forum, Bridgwater, and Bristol
Job description
The Wessex Area Team within Natural England covers the counties of Wiltshire, Somerset, Bristol Avon and Dorset. Catchment Sensitive Farming contributes to the delivery of our environmental outcomes for the area team alongside other tools such as agri-environment schemes, statutory planning work, regulation and enforcement. We work with a range of partners, customers and national colleagues to further our delivery of local environmental priorities working at a landscape-scale to protect and enhance terrestrial and aquatic habitats. This work also contributes to the Government's 25 Year plan for the Environment, delivering the outcomes of the Water Framework Directive.
Natural England continues to deliver Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) in partnership with Defra and the Environment Agency. CSF operates through a network of Catchment Sensitive Farming Officers (CSFOs) and local partners in each priority catchment. CSF aims to help meet Water Framework Directive targets, Clean Air Strategy and drinking water quality standards by reducing diffuse water pollution and air pollution from agriculture (DWPA).
The role of the CSFO is to:
• Evaluate and understand DWPA and air quality issues within the specified catchment(s) using nationally provided data, which is validated locally.
• Work in priority areas to develop and lead specific CSF training, information and advice campaigns for farmers and land owners. Give advice on farm 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 behavioural change and a reduction in DWPA from farmers and land owners.
• Communicate, advocate and promote CSF activity internally with Natural England colleagues and externally with farmers, land managers and partners.
• Work innovatively with partners and stakeholders such as the Environment Agency, water companies, Defra’s Catchment Based Approach partners, other NE staff and others 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 like the Countryside Stewardship (CS) scheme and/or other agri-environment schemes.
• Support CS applications in high priority areas for water quality by advising farmers on suitable land management options and/or capital items, endorsing Mid Tier applications and giving advice on water 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.
• Work with the 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 on the CSF Reporter database. Monitor the effectiveness of engagement with farmers and land owners.
• Understand the relevant Diffuse Water Pollution Plan(s) and incorporate into CSF plans where appropriate.
• Work with Area Team colleagues to help address water quality concerns and casework in the Hampshire Avon catchment
CSFOs are supported by a CSF River Basin Coordinator and a Team Leader, as well as by the National CSF Team. They are also supported by the Farm Advice Framework Contract Manager for the procurement and delivery of specialist training and advice. At the national level, CSFOs are supported by nationally developed project planning tools, campaigns and services. The effectiveness of advice campaigns in changing farming practices to reduce DWPA within priority areas is reported by the CSFO and then evaluated by the national CSF Evidence Team.
Location:
Site visits and partnership working in and around the Hampshire Avon catchment. The post holder will be required to visit farms regularly during their day to day work. Location can be negotiated but will need to be within relatively easy access of the southern end of the Hampshire Avon catchment (south of the A303). Possible office locations are Bristol, Blandford Forum and Dorchester.
The post holder will be required to hold a full UK driving licence. Some national travel may be required, which might involve overnight stays.
Natural England welcomes and encourages applications from all communities and supports flexible working.
Competencies
Competence 1
Professional competency
Detail
Securing environmental improvements – Practitioner
Description
• Recognise and identify farming practices which can cause DWPA and air pollution.
• Recognise and identify the effects of DWPA.
• Organise and deliver a plan to address DWPA issues in the specific catchments.
• Manage the use of external suppliers to deliver high quality targeted advice.
• Understand and apply the Water Framework Directive to your work.
• Understand and select the most appropriate measures, including working with partners, to address DWPA at source, pathway and receptor stages for individual sites.
Competence 2
Professional competency
Detail
Communicating effectively - Practitioner
Description
• Use clear and appropriate language, communication styles and techniques that engage your audience.
• Be decisive, combine your professional judgement with evidence to inform your decision-making
• Share your knowledge and expertise with people in your networks (both internal and external) to help develop their capability and to improve outcome
Competence 3
Professional competency
Detail
Building partnerships – Practitioner
Description
• Collaborate, negotiate and influence in a well-informed way to achieve pragmatic environmental outcomes.
• Understand the key drivers and agendas which motivate our customers and partners including local communities, who could be engaged to secure positive environmental outcomes for people and wildlife.
• Develop an understanding of the objectives and needs of our partners and customer
• Take personal responsibility for your interaction with partners and customers by being practical, helpful, trustworthy and impartial.
Competence 4
Professional competency
Detail
Work Delivery - Practitioner
Description
• Ability to work independently and within teams to meet agreed targets and deadlines.
• Excellent records management skills including use of computer databases.
• Manage and deliver your workload to meet agreed targets and deadlines
Competence 5
Professional competency
Detail
Technical/specialist knowledge
Description
• Ability to communicate effectively with farmers and persuade them to engage with CSF.
• Good level of agricultural knowledge.
• Good knowledge of agricultural water pollution (point source and particularly diffuse).
• Basic project and contract management skills and experience.
• A working knowledge of Environmental Stewardship and Countryside Stewardship.
• Basic knowledge of ArcGIS or of using similar GIS software. Training can be given.
Responsibilities
Please refer to Job Description
Benefits
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension
FULL DETAILS HERE
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