Farm Advisor

Farm Advisor

Location: The successful applicant will be based at the South Cumbria Rivers Trust offices at Low Wood, near Ulverston on the banks of the River Leven near to Windermere. A significant proportion of time will be spent working in the field. The successful candidate will be prepared to adopt a flexible working approach. This will include some evenings and weekend working.

Salary: £28,500 - £31,500 Pro Rata dependent on experience

Hours: 18.25 hours per week (with a view to extend to 37.5 hours, subject to funding). Hours can be worked flexibly to suit the successful applicant.

Opportunity:

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to join South Cumbria Rivers Trust (SCRT) to work within the iconic landscapes of the southern Lake District UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Trust was formed in 2006 to protect, conserve, monitor and restore the natural heritage of lakes, tarns, rivers, becks and estuaries in South Cumbria. We work closely with local communities, government agencies, and conservation bodies to implement impactful projects.

We are now in a position where we have secured funds to offer farm advise in the River Duddon Valley and the Poaka Beck Catchment near Ulverston.

We’re seeking a motivated, experienced Farm Advisor to join our team. This role is crucial to driving forward our impacts in the catchment and support Farmers.

This role will be supported closely by SCRT’s Projects and Technical Manager and work directly with our Project Officer.

At present we have a wide range opportunities working with farmers and land managers. The focus catchments for this role are associated with restoration of a healthy catchment for the provision of drinking water by United Utilities and the reduction of flood flows, nutrients, sediments and other contaminants. Though these are important for the drinking water industry there are direct tangible overlaps with healthy and sustainable river catchments, hence our work and involvement.

Through this project we hope to support landowners and tenants to become more sustainable as farm businesses with a balanced approach focusing on agricultural productivity and reducing costs, whilst simultaneously improving habitats.

Responsibilities

The primary task associated with the role will be wide ranging actions including:

• Engaging with farmers to secure farm advisory visits to identify water quality/ environmental improvement opportunities
• Producing “Pinpoint” reports (training will be provided) from farm advisory visits
• Generation of a farm database
• Facilitating the delivery of improved farmyard infrastructure and diffuse pollution prevention options
• Work with a variety of funders to implement these actions
• Running workshops and meetings to promote farm improvements
• Supporting with water quality assessments around the catchment
• Any other duties as reasonably requested by SCRT

The successful applicant will also deliver training and knowledge sharing events through the development of 2 farm groups. SCRT are already a trusted organisation in the catchment, but the addition of a farm advisor will help to better support farmers, helping them to provide environmental improvement whilst ensuring financial resilience for their businesses, and fulfilling the ambitions of SCRT for these catchments.

It will be the Farm Advisor’s responsibility to maintain and develop relationships with local farmers of the area to support them on this journey. It will also be possible to collaborate, work alongside and support the Natural England Farm advisors in the area.

The role will work with a range of funding sources, from Countryside Stewardship (and developing new agri-environment schemes), through to local and national funding from the Environment Agency, as well as the water company, corporates and charitable grant giving organisations.

Person requirements

This role requires an energetic and multi-talented individual who is a self-starter and results focussed. You will be a natural communicator who can form and establish great partnerships at all levels and has a proven record of securing agreements with funders and businesses.

Essential requirements

• Degree level or equivalent related experience in agriculture/land management or Conservation
• An understanding of a farm business and tailoring engagement techniques accordingly
• Possessing good interpersonal skills, both face-to-face and over the phone
• Knowledge and proven experience of engaging with farmers is essential
• Ability to gain the trust and cooperation of people, enabling SCRT to deliver our aims
• Experience in project management and delivery of capital projects ranging from farmyard infrastructure to habitat creation and restoration

Knowledge and experience

• How catchments and land management impacts water and habitats from source to sea
• Understanding of agriculture and farming practices
• Agri-environment schemes, payment mechanisms and financial record keeping
• GIS (preferably ArcGIS) skills to develop required outputs for project proposals/record etc
• Ability to manage multiple projects and activities simultaneously
• Excellent presentation skills and communication skills for a wide range of audiences

General requirements

• Valid driving licence and own car, insured for business use
• Good IT skills / maintaining a filing system
• Excellent record keeping of work undertaken
• Awareness of the need for confidentiality

Personal traits

• Enjoys working in a team, with diverse skills and experience
• Takes satisfaction in seeing the impact of their own, and the team’s work
• Seeks opportunities to expand their knowledge, skills, and experience
• Reliability, good attendance, and work performance
• Excellent organisational /admin skills and attention to detail

Desirable

• Experience working within the agricultural sector
• Innovative problem solver
• Has, or is willing to work towards FACTS and BASIS qualification
• Knowledge of the project area

Benefits to joining the SCRT Team

• A work van shared between the whole team or 45p/mile allowance for work travel
• Opportunity to work outside regularly and be involved in practical delivery
• Fantastic Cumbrian weather!
• A contributory pension (up to 9% Employers contribution for 6% employee contribution) and life assurance
• 25 Days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Time of In Lieu policy for working extended hours

Terms and Conditions

• Contract: fixed term contract to 31st March 2030 (~4 years) with expectation of permanence thereafter. The position will be subject to a 3-month probation period and ongoing 9-month development plan.
• SCRT are open to Flexible working requests
• Salary will be by negotiation and at a point on the SCRT scale which acknowledges the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate
• Reasonable expenses, including a mileage allowance, will be paid
• Candidates for this post are required to declare any previous or pending charges of a criminal nature. Other relevant checks may be required
• The successful candidate will be expected to live within reasonable travelling distance of the office
• In addition to general PPE, provided facilities include a phone and a laptop computer
• SCRT is an Equal Opportunities employer

For further information, please contact Projects and Technical Manager Mike West: [email protected]

Closing Date for applications – Wednesday 18th March

Interview Week Commencing 23rd March