Senior Environment Officer for Agriculture

The Environment Agency works to create better places for people, wildlife, and supports sustainable development. Do you want to make a real difference in protecting the local environment? We’re looking for Senior Environment Officers who can bring their experience and knowledge of agricultural regulation and apply it to lead and develop our agricultural delivery programme in the West Midlands. This is a great opportunity to be at the forefront of agricultural improvement in England.

Across the country, pollution from farms is now one of the biggest issues facing our rivers. To help tackle this, we’re looking for enthusiastic, self-motivated, and proactive agricultural experts to provide expert input into campaigns aimed at reducing pollution from agriculture. We welcome applicants with expertise across the agricultural sector, whether that be the Intensive Farming, biowaste, farm inspections or the regulatory sector.

You’ll mentor and develop our Agricultural Regulatory Inspection Officers (ARIOs) who carry out farm inspections and provide guidance on farm issues to our staff. As such, we’re looking for someone who fosters an inclusive atmosphere that encourages the sharing of best practices, ensuring that teams work cohesively towards the same goal. You’ll also provide guidance to farmers and to the wider agricultural community.

The team

The Agricultural Regulation Team consists of 10 ARIOs who deliver advice, guidance, regulation, and enforcement on farms across West Midlands. Officers are experienced agricultural professionals, with a range of skills and experience. As the Senior Environment Officer you’ll work with the technical leadership team and Team Leader to ensure the successful delivery of the inspection programme. You can be based at one of the following offices - Tewkesbury, Shrewsbury, Kidderminster and Lichfield.

Experience/skills required

You must be able to demonstrate:

• At least 5 years experience of working with the agricultural sector
• The ability to plan work and make sound decisions about prioritising resources
• Skills in coaching and mentoring others on complex issues
• Previous successes delivering programmes of work
• An expert understanding and experience of tackling catchment scale pollution issues
• A self-starter, driven to achieve outcomes and have
• Excellent communication skills
• A strong team work ethic and an appetite to work collaboratively

Contact and additional information

You must be able to drive and must hold a full driving licence. We will provide a vehicle for work use which may be a lease, pool or hire vehicle.

We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities If you are interested either of these opportunities and would like to know more please contact the Agricultural Regulation Team Leader Kirsty Gilmour at Kirsty.Gilmour@environment-agency.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion

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