6547 - Farm Advice: Catchment Sensitive FarmingNumber of jobs available
1
Region
North East
City/Town
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Building/Site
Tyneside House
Grade
HEO
Organisation Grade
NE Level 3.
Post Type
Fixed Term
Duration of appointment
For a period of up to 1 year
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share
Role Type
Environment & Sustainability
Salary Minimum
£32,240
Job description
Due to the farm based delivery of this role, it is based in the Northumbria Area Team, and therefore the CSFA Higher Officers must be resident in Northumberland, or Tyne and Wear, or County Durham, or Teeside.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 The role of the CSF farm adviser is to:
- 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 (own or procured through contractors) 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.
BenefitsAt Natural England, we support a healthy work-life balance by offering full-time, part-time, and flexible working arrangements.
Weprovideexcellent opportunities for career progression, training,and development tailored to your role. This includestendays annually for personal learning and development, plusthreeadditionaldays for volunteering.
You'llreceive a generous leave allowance of25 days per year (pro rata), increasing by one day for each year of service up to 30 days (pro-rata), access to the Civil Service Pension scheme with a 28.97% employer contribution, and a range of benefits such as shopping discounts and a cycle-to-work scheme. Staff can also join the Civil Service Sport club for discounts on sports, leisure activities, and social events.
We are committed to fairness, equality, and inclusivity. Our employee-led diversity networks help foster a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
LocationsNatural England has adopted hybrid working - which means our staff work from a flexible range of locations, encompassing home, offices (ours and our partners) and relevant sites. Allnew staffwill beformally linked to one of our 25 offices across England, and the expectation is that allnew staffwill be able to access their local office to be part of the community of staff in their geographical area. Staff are expected to attend their associated office for 20% of their contractual hours.
PayIt is Natural England policy to employ at the entry point of the salary range.
How to Apply We welcome and encourage applications from all communities. Natural England is accredited to the Disability Confident Scheme, which denotes organisations which have a positive attitude towards disabled people. Disabled applicants who meet theminimumrequirements for the role at the shortlisting stage are guaranteed an invitation to interview.
If you require a reasonable adjustment at interview, or there is anything else you would like the panel to take into consideration, you shouldnotify usof this at application stage where possible, or well in advance of your interview.We now provide primary interview questions in advance for all formal recruitments.
This vacancy uses competency-based assessment.We'llassess you against the competencies below during the selection process:
- Technical Skills and Knowledge
- Personal Effectiveness
- Work Delivery
- Creating Resilient Landscapes and Seas
When completing the application form you should present relevant examples using the STAR format. Give us an example of how you have demonstrated the competency (which can be work related or from another area of your life) and tell us about the Situation, the specific Task you had to undertake, the specific Actions you took, and the Result (both immediate and in a wider context) of yourAction.
Please note that STAR format is
notrequiredwhen answering the Technical Skills & Knowledge competency.
Examples should be given in no more than 250 words for each competency. If you are successful at the shortlisting stage, you will be invited to attend an interview via MS Teams or a suitable alternative, where you will be asked to give examples for all competencies as set out in the Job Description.
The team
Join us in shaping a future where nature and people thrive.Whetheryou'redrawn to hands-on conservation or playing a vital part behind the scenes, your work at Natural England will support lasting benefits for theenvironment and society.
OurRole 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,expertiseand advice to recover Nature and shape better places for people to live. We do this working through and with others.
Strategic Outcomes for Nature Our strategy is framed through four strategic outcomes. Each ofthese outcomes reinforces and amplifies the others, and together they address environmental,socialand economic actions critical to thriving nature.
- Recovering Nature- Increased scale and quality of places where nature thrives.
- BuildingBetter Places- Greener homes and infrastructure create healthier, more investable places, recognising we live better where nature thrives aroundus.
- ImprovingHealth and Wellbeing- Build nature into everyday life so people can support, access and benefit from nature, wherever theylive.
- 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 plentifulwaterand clean air.
Find out more about the work of Natural England at:
Contact and additional information (Recruiters Name, Email and Phone Number)
Sue Harrison
sue.harrison@naturalengland.org.uk
07795127933
Closing Date:
09/06/2026, 23:55 hours
Interview dates
Expected June
Level of security checks required
Basic Check (BPSS)
Competence 1
Professional competency
Detail
Technical Knowledge and Skills
Description
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)
Competence 2
Professional competency
Detail
Personal Effectiveness
Description
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)
Competence 3
Professional competency
Detail
Work Delivery
Description
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)
Competence 4
Professional competency
Detail
Creating Resilient Landscapes and Seas
Description
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)
Role specific qualification requirements
A degree in agriculture, conservation, or equivalent degree and/or relevant experience (Essential)
Role specific license requirements
Driving Licence
Supporting document 1
Organisation
Natural England
