Nature Recovery and Greener Farming Lead Advisers

The RoleWe are looking for motivated individuals to work with farmers, landowners, land managers and organisations in partnerships, with an aim to safeguard, restore and enhance the natural environment by providing technical advice on habitat and species management.We are seeking individuals with a range of knowledge, skills and experience covering habitat management, species management, agricultural practices, land management, and negotiation to provide comprehensive technical advice on conservation and nature recovery.You need to be a team player, able to work with a range of staff in local and national teams, and have the ability to operate as an individual; You will lead projects and cultivate effective working relationships that can make a real difference in the natural environment.Key TasksAs a Lead Adviser working in Natural England your role would include:

Working with landowners/land managers and stakeholders to deliver improvements to the condition of habitats and species on protected sites (Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation)Using Agri-Environment schemes (Countryside Stewardship and Higher-Level Stewardship extension) to help maintain/deliver improvement in the condition of protected sites and deliver nature recovery in the wider landscapeDelivery of protected sites casework such as assessing proposals for activities which require our permissionMonitoring of a range of habitat, species and geological featuresProvision of advice to other staff in the team delivering land use planning casework and woodland creation work on or affecting protected sitesFacilitate and support others to help deliver nature recovery outside protected sites

The CandidateWe are looking for individuals who have a broad combination of technical skills set out below:• Applicants should have a relevant degree in an environmental discipline/ conservation, or significant practical experience of working in the environmental sector• A broad understanding of England’s biodiversity commitments along with knowledge of relevant European Directives, associated UK/England Regulations, including the legislation relating to Sites of Special Scientific Interest• An understanding of agricultural practices and managing land for environmental outcomes coupled with a knowledge of farming systems and examples of influencing land managers and owners through negotiation• Previous experience of agri-environmental schemes such as Environmental Stewardship or Countryside Stewardship is desirable• Experience of field surveys, including species identification and data interpretation• Knowledge of ecological principles and the ecology of one or more habitats or species groups is desirable• Good communication skills including the ability to explain technical information to a range of audiences, negotiation and engagement with local stakeholders• Competence in the use of IT, including ability to work with spreadsheets, databases & presentation packages. Experience of Geographic Information Systems is desirable but not essential.The role will require travel to sites and meetings across team areas. A driving licence (or the ability/desire to acquire one quickly) is required for the role. The role will include a mixture of working in offices and sites/farms and homeworking. How to ApplyWe'll assess you against the competencies below during the selection process. When completing the application form you should present relevant examples using the STAR format. STAR stands for:• Situation• Task• Action• ResultExamples should be given in no more than 250 words for each competency. Please ensure you read the Candidate Information Pack before you begin completing the application form.If we have a significant number of applications we may decide to sift on the first two competencies which are 'Technical Skills and Knowledge' and 'Personal Effectiveness'. Candidates who are invited for interview will be assessed on all four competencies.

As this is a large recruitment campaign the expected timeline may be extended. Candidates should expect to hear if they have been invited to interview by mid-July. Unfortunately due to the size of this recruitment we are unable to provide feedback to candidates.

Successful candidates will be allocated roles in merit order based on scores achieved at interview and in accordance with location preferences, taking into account the work area successful candidates are most suited to wherever possible.