Farm Conservation Adviser

Would you like to work in one of the most beautiful parts of the country - a place of real character, with a highly-distinctive, living, working and cultural landscape? If so, we have an opportunity to join our well regarded Farm Conservation team at an exciting time for the National Park.

About Us

We are the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, an organisation that protects, enhances and promotes the immense beauty, wildlife and character of the Yorkshire Dales. Set against expansive heather moorland tops, each valley has its own distinct charm, from crags and waterfalls to an underground labyrinth of caves.

We are looking for a Farm Conservation Adviser to join our Land Management team on a fixed term basis until March 2024. The role is full-time (37 hours per week) based at our Grassington office near Skipton, with the potential for some home working and at our other office in Bainbridge.

This is a great opportunity for you to join a National Park and work in one of the UK’s most striking and breath-taking locations.

The Role

You’ll be working on the established Yorkshire Dales Catchment Partnership, delivering the Government’s Catchment Sensitive Farming initiative across the whole of the National Park.

Undertaking farm visits to identify infrastructure and management changes that will contribute to sustainable farm businesses as well as improving water quality and wider environment, is a key part of the role. Examples include improving water separation, manure storage and management (including nutrient application) as well as grazing changes, and habitat creation (particularly riparian habitats including woodland).

You’ll be overseeing the development and delivery of actions, and in some instances supporting colleagues and partner organisations to undertake delivery. There will also be involvement in the delivery of training and knowledge sharing events.

In addition, providing advice and support to farmers and land managers on the Countryside Stewardship scheme is integral to the role. This will include carrying out site visits, undertaking farm surveys and writing reports and applications that will enhance the environmental priorities of the National Park and support sustainable farm businesses.

About You

Ideally, you will be educated to at least level 6 (degree level) in a relevant conservation or environmental subject, though other qualifications may be acceptable if a high level of knowledge and experience of farm conservation can be demonstrated.

Having at least 2-years of experience of providing advice and support on current agri-environment schemes to farmers and land managers, in addition to an understanding of upland farming and land management is essential. However, if you have the knowledge, understanding and enthusiasm, and are potentially at the start of your environmental career, we are open to receiving your application, as training can be provided, if required.

Being a supportive and co-operative team member with the ability to work independently using own initiative and as part of a multi-disciplinary team is a requirement. Excellent organisational, communication and inter-personal skills are equally important to the role.

You will need to have access to a car or access to a means of mobility support to meet demands of the post (if driving must have a current valid driving licence and appropriate insurance) as travelling and visiting of sites around the National Park is a key part of the role.

Our recruitment process treats all job applications equally, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or any other equality characteristic. That said, we particularly encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, as this group are currently under-represented throughout the Authority.

For an informal chat about this vacancy, please contact Helen Keep, Senior Farm Conservation Officer on 01756 751611 or [email protected].

The closing date for completed application forms is 11pm on Tuesday 24 May 2022.
Anticipated interview date: Tuesday 7 June 2022.

So, if you’re seeking your next challenge as a Farm Conservation Adviser, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.