Background:

Severn Trent Water and the Wye & Usk Foundation are working together in the Wye catchment to tackle agricultural diffuse pollution and bring our watercourses back into good ecological condition. An important part of this programme is to work with farmers and landowners to reduce diffuse agricultural pollution into rivers and streams and to tackle water quality in Wye’s Drinking Water Safeguarding Zone.

The Wye & Usk Foundation are one of the UK’s leading Rivers Trusts, delivering innovative projects that seek to protect and restore the ecology of our rivers. A key element of our work is engaging with land managers and we have a strong team of Catchment and Agricultural Advisers delivering a range of projects to benefit water quality, reduce flooding and enhance biodiversity.

Job Description:

We seek two dynamic, capable and personable individual to take on additional Advisory roles within Herefordshire* to deliver our partnership project with Severn Trent Water.

Agricultural Advisers will be expected to visit and offer advice to farms to identify sources of diffuse pollution arising specifically from pesticides, deliver appropriate advice and make recommendations for improvements including capital works or adoption of new management practices.

Our Agricultural Advisers utilise the Severn Trent Environmental Protection Scheme (STEPS) to enable implementation of recommendations and deliver the dual purpose of protecting watercourses whilst also realising cost savings or efficiencies on the farm. Knowledge of other environmental schemes and funding sources would also be beneficial to compliment advice provision on farm.

Successful Advisers are self-starters, passionate about agriculture as well as conservation of the natural environment, particularly our rivers and streams.

Our Agricultural Advisers are responsible for the day to day delivery of specified projects including but not limited to:

• Cold-calling landowners, engaging farms to identify opportunities for improvements
• Collating and writing farm plans and grant applications
• Identifying appropriate grant funding to support implementation of advice
• Liaising with farmers & contractors, composing/costing/implementing capital works
• Recording and reporting actions and project targets thoroughly and on time
• Inspecting compliance with grant scheme works undertaken
• Organisation and delivery of on farm knowledge transfer events
• Attending team meetings in the catchment and the wider Severn Trent area
• Any other duties as reasonably required

Essential:

• Valid driving licence and own car, insured for business use
• Degree level or equivalent in environmental sciences/agriculture/conservation management or similar. Equivalent related experience will be considered as highly as academic qualifications
• In-depth knowledge of pesticide regulation, storage and use
• Experience of successful project delivery and/or farmer engagement
• Knowledge of farming activities and agri-environment schemes.
• Excellent communications skills and ability to convey complex information simply and concisely to a wide range of audiences.
• Self-starter able to work on your own without day-to-day supervision.
• Reliability, with good attendance and work performance.
• Confidence to carry out lone working
• Excellent organisational/admin skills and attention to detail

Desirable:

• BASIS in Crop Protection
• BASIS Soil & Water and/or FACTS qualified
• Knowledge of Herefordshire and the Wye catchment
• Based in or near the catchment
• Experience of cold-calling

Further Info:

• Fixed term contract to March 2025, with the ambition to extend beyond. 
• On appointment the successful candidates will be able to access mentoring by experienced Catchment Advisers from both the Wye & Usk Foundation and Severn Trent.
• After any initial training period is completed the advisers will engage with farmers and land-owners in target areas within the Wye catchment.
• *The advisors are predominantly based in Herefordshire covering the Drinking Water Safeguard Zone on the Rivers Wye, Lugg and Frome. Out of catchment travel is also occasionally required to attend Severn Trent meetings across their own working area.
• Flexible working arrangements are available by mutual agreement.
• All Personal Protective Equipment and other necessary equipment will be supplied

Applications:

To apply, please send your Covering Letter and CV to [email protected]