Agricultural Advisor
Location Bishop Auckland, Wear catchment
Salary £25,000 - £28,000 dependant on experience
Closes : 3rd Jan 2020
Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week. Flexibility required (some evening & weekend work)
Location Bishop Auckland, Wear catchment
Salary £25,000 - £28,000 dependant on experience
Closes : 3rd Jan 2020
Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week. Flexibility required (some evening & weekend work)
KEY CONTACTS/RELATIONSHIPS:
- INTERNAL: WRT Director; Office Manager; Administrator; Project Officers; Education Officer; Trustees; Volunteers.
- EXTERNAL: Farmers & Landowners; supporting professionals (eg agronomists and land agents); The Rivers Trust; Other Local Rivers Trusts; Interreg North Sea Region European Partners; Northumbrian Water Group; Environment Agency; Natural England and Catchment Sensitive Farming
BROAD OBJECTIVES:
Build productive working relationships with farmers and landowners, industry representatives and supporting professionals to support sustainable land management practices, through the promotion and awareness of the Topsoil theme of integrated land, surface water and groundwater management to achieve the following:
- reduce pollution to surface water courses and groundwater arising from agricultural operations.
- Promote innovative farming practices to further reduce water pollution, combat climate change and its impacts through effective carbon sequestration, reduced flood risk and improved drought resilience.
KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Further expand the Trust’s agricultural network across the Wear catchment through the development of long-term professional relationships, linking into neighbouring catchments, regional, national and international networks.
· Promote the need for integrated compliance to Farming Rules for Water, cross compliance rules and surface/groundwater NVZ requirements to protect the environment and de-risk farming businesses.
· Work with the farmers and land managers to:
o Conduct on farm “pinpoint” surveys, supported by GIS mapping to identify pollution sources, pathways and receptors and develop measures to mitigate pollution sources and interrupt pathways to protect surface watercourses and groundwaters.
o Promote and deliver nutrient planning and soil management to reduce business costs, soil and nutrient loss; improve moisture retention/drought resilience and reduce flood risk for example through the promotion of reduced tillage or management of compaction in grassland
o Identify opportunities for using both local and national grant schemes such as Forestry grants, Countryside Stewardship and, when implemented, successor schemes, signposting advice through local networks.
· Lead projects to deliver interventions agreed with farmers and landowners to achieve the Trust’s environmental goals. Duties include:
o Management of tendering processes to engage, and then manage consultants or contractors, ensuring effective project delivery and evaluation on completion.
o Management of environmental baseline and post-delivery monitoring in line with funders requirements.
· Ensure, with the support of the Office Manager and Administrator, that financial and wider project management processes are maintained.
· Manage publicity arising from project activity, including social media and press releases. Contribute content to the WRT website and newsletters.
· Close liaison with other WRT project and education officers where farmer/wider agricultural contacts can support other projects and education activity.
DETAILED OBJECTIVES
Personal objectives will be set through the annual appraisal process, with objectives reviewed and updated quarterly.
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
WRT is committed to continual personal and professional development. A training and development plan will be agreed through the annual appraisal process and reviewed quarterly. The post holder will be supported through, and expected to achieve, the FACTS qualification.
How to apply: Please send CV’s and covering letter explaining why you are applying for this position and how you meet the job requirements to Admin@wear-rivers-trust.org.uk by 3 January 2020. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview 16 January 2020. Additional information about this position (and others) is available from the download section below.